Staff Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) Interview Preparation Guide - FAANG Standards
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Staff
7 rounds
Updated 11/23/2025
This guide is based on general FAANG interview practices and may not reflect specific company procedures.
The Staff-level SDET interview process at FAANG companies is a comprehensive 2-3 day assessment designed to evaluate deep technical expertise in test automation, system design thinking, leadership capabilities, and strategic impact. The process emphasizes not just coding proficiency, but the ability to design scalable testing frameworks, mentor engineers, and drive cross-functional initiatives. Staff-level candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery in both software development and testing domains, with the ability to architect complex testing solutions and influence organizational testing strategy.
Interview Rounds
1
Recruiter Screening
30 min4 focus topicsbehavioral
2
Technical Coding Round 1 - Algorithm and Data Structures
75 min5 focus topicstechnical
3
Technical Coding Round 2 - Test Automation and Framework Design
75 min6 focus topicstechnical
4
System Design Round 1 - Testing Infrastructure and Framework Architecture
75 min6 focus topicssystem design
5
System Design Round 2 - Advanced Testing Tools and Framework Design
75 min5 focus topicssystem design
6
Leadership and Behavioral Round
60 min6 focus topicsbehavioral
7
Bar Raiser / Hiring Manager Round
60 min5 focus topicsbehavioral
Additional Information