Two recent Airbnb Data Engineer candidates describe a SQL and Python take-home, a broad virtual onsite with live coding, data modeling and system design, and timed data manipulation problems.
$198K
Avg. Base Comp
$300K
Avg. Total Comp
Not reported
Typical Rounds
Not reported
Process Length
Two Data Engineer candidates at Airbnb describe a process where hands-on SQL and Python come first, and live coding carries a lot of weight.
One candidate started with a take-home HackerRank containing 3 to 4 SQL questions and 2 Python questions. A virtual onsite of five rounds followed: DSA-style coding, a general coding round, data modeling, a behavioral round, and end-to-end system design. This candidate found the live coding rounds hardest, since there was little room to wander, and described the data modeling and system design rounds as being about explaining tradeoffs and structure. They did not receive an offer.
The other candidate described a data coding round built around a medium-difficulty, scenario-based problem, which they solved fully. A second coding round focused on data manipulation with dictionaries and needed two loops. They finished the first loop, and time ran out before the second. The interviewer was helpful and worked through a couple of errors with them. This candidate was still waiting to hear back.
To prepare, practice timed SQL and Python data manipulation, especially loops over dictionaries, and talk through your approach as you go. Be ready to explain a data model and an end-to-end design out loud. Don't prepare for DSA alone, because the onsite also included a separate general coding round and a behavioral round.
Synthesized from 3 candidate reports by our editorial team.
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Synthesized from candidate reports. Individual experiences may vary.
One candidate began with a take-home HackerRank containing 3 to 4 SQL questions and 2 Python coding questions. They described it as a test of whether you can work through problems cleanly and efficiently, rather than a conversation about your background.
One candidate's onsite included a DSA-style round and a separate general coding round. Another candidate had a medium scenario-based data problem, which they solved, and a dictionary manipulation task that needed two loops. They finished one loop before time ran out, and the interviewer helped with a couple of errors.
One candidate's five-round virtual onsite included a data modeling round and an end-to-end system design round. They described both as being more about explaining tradeoffs and structure than about syntax, so practice walking through your design choices out loud.
The same five-round onsite included a separate behavioral round. The account gives no details on the questions asked, so prepare specific stories from your past data projects rather than relying on technical preparation alone.
