Interview Process for Different Machine Learning-Related Roles
A typical ML Engineer interview consists of:
1-2 coding rounds – Usually, Data Structures and Algorithms based questions are asked, but some companies also ask you to code basic ML algorithms (Usually in Python)
1-2 system design rounds – One general system design round (like SDE profile) and another ML System design round
1 behavioral round — Questions regarding your past work experience will be asked to see if you’re a cultural fit
1-2 ML fundamentals rounds: These can cover areas such as:
Discussion on past projects in a related field
Understanding of various ML algorithms and their underlying principles
Discussion on challenges and tradeoffs related to each algorithm
A typical Applied Scientist interview consists of:
1 coding round – Usually includes questions on Data Structures and Algorithms, but some companies ask to code basic ML algorithms (Python)
1 ML system design round – Mainly focused on ML understanding (compared with the MLE round, where model production and deployment are equally important), i.e., identifying a suitable dataset for the problem, feature engineering, tradeoffs, sampling, etc.
1-2 ML Depth and Breadth rounds: Deep dive into ML fundamentals about their prior experience
1 behavioral round — Questions regarding your past work experience will be asked to see if you’re a cultural fit.
A typical Research Scientist interview consists of:
1 coding round – Usually Python library-based (Pytorch/Tensorflow) or LeetCode Easy in some companies.
1 ML problem-solving round – Identifying a suitable dataset for the problem, feature engineering, tradeoffs, experimentation design, how to establish a baseline, modifying current algorithms to suit the situation, etc.
1 presentation round – Present some research problem (from the Ph.D. thesis, previous work experience, or any new topic relevant to the interviewing team), followed by QnAs. Expected to have a firm grasp of Concepts and Advancements in the given problem to answer applied questions.
1-2 ML Depth and Breadth rounds – Deep dive into ML fundamentals about their prior experience. Expected to have proficiency in ML Algorithms from the mathematical to the application level.
1 behavioral round — Questions regarding your past work experience will be asked to see if you’re a cultural fit.