Mashgin Inc. is revolutionizing the checkout experience through innovative use of computer vision and AI, aiming to eliminate checkout lines and enhance customer convenience.

As a Software Engineer at Mashgin, you will play a pivotal role in developing the software that powers our advanced kiosk systems and the extensive infrastructure supporting them. This position requires you to be a full-stack developer, capable of contributing to all stages of the product lifecycle—from ideation and design to execution and deployment. You will work collaboratively with a small, interdisciplinary team that includes hardware and design experts, ensuring that our kiosks deliver an exceptional user experience. Your responsibilities will include owning major feature development, interfacing with hardware components, and continuously improving existing codebases to enhance scalability and reliability. Given Mashgin's commitment to end-to-end project ownership, you will be expected to propose architectural solutions to complex challenges and maintain high coding standards across various programming languages such as Python, C++, Node.js, Go, C#, and Java.

To excel in this role, you should possess a strong foundation in algorithms and data structures, demonstrate excellent problem-solving abilities, and have experience deploying and managing cloud infrastructure. A proactive approach to learning new technologies and a passion for enhancing customer experience are essential traits that align with our company culture of respect, autonomy, and empathy towards users.

This guide will equip you with the insights needed to perform well in your interview with Mashgin, providing you with the context and expectations critical to succeeding in this dynamic and innovative environment.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Mashgin Inc. is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. Candidates can expect a structured approach that emphasizes collaboration, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of software development principles.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, typically conducted by a recruiter over a phone call. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on understanding the candidate's background, skills, and motivations. The recruiter will discuss the role, the company culture, and gauge whether the candidate aligns with Mashgin's values of autonomy, respect, and customer empathy.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates will undergo a technical assessment. This may take place via a video call and involves a coding challenge or a live coding session. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency in relevant programming languages such as Python, Node.js, C++, or Java. The assessment will likely include problem-solving tasks that reflect real-world scenarios they might encounter in the role, as well as discussions about algorithms and data structures.

3. Team Interviews

Successful candidates will then participate in a series of team interviews. These interviews typically involve multiple rounds with different team members, including software engineers, product managers, and possibly founders. Each round will focus on various aspects of the candidate's experience, including technical skills, project management, and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams. Expect questions that explore past projects, challenges faced, and how the candidate approaches feature development and code maintenance.

4. Cultural Fit Interview

In addition to technical skills, Mashgin places a strong emphasis on cultural fit. Candidates will likely have a dedicated interview to assess their alignment with the company's values and work environment. This may involve discussions about teamwork, communication styles, and how the candidate handles feedback and autonomy in their work.

5. Final Interview

The final step in the interview process may involve a conversation with senior leadership or founders. This is an opportunity for candidates to ask questions about the company's vision, future projects, and their potential role in shaping the product. It also allows the leadership team to evaluate the candidate's long-term fit within the organization.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise during these stages, focusing on both your technical expertise and your ability to contribute to Mashgin's mission.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Embrace the Culture of Autonomy and Respect

Mashgin values autonomy in work and a culture of respect among team members. During your interview, demonstrate your ability to work independently while also being a collaborative team player. Share examples of how you have taken ownership of projects and contributed to a positive team environment. Highlight your respect for diverse perspectives and your commitment to building products that empathize with customer needs.

Showcase Your Full-Stack Development Experience

As a software engineer at Mashgin, you will be expected to work across the entire product lifecycle. Be prepared to discuss your experience with full-stack development, including both front-end and back-end technologies. Provide specific examples of projects where you have contributed to various stages, from ideation to deployment. This will illustrate your versatility and ability to handle the complexities of building software that interfaces with hardware and visual components.

Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills

Mashgin is focused on solving real-world problems through innovative technology. Prepare to discuss specific challenges you have faced in your previous roles and how you approached solving them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your solutions. This will demonstrate your analytical thinking and ability to tackle complex issues, which is crucial for the role.

Be Ready to Discuss Your Technical Proficiency

With a requirement for strong coding skills in languages like Python, Node.js, C++, and others, be prepared to discuss your technical expertise in detail. Share your experience with building production-ready code and any relevant projects that showcase your proficiency. Additionally, be ready to discuss your familiarity with algorithms, data structures, and cloud infrastructure management, as these are key components of the role.

Prepare for a Fast-Paced Environment

Mashgin operates in a fast-paced startup environment, so it’s important to convey your ability to adapt and thrive under pressure. Discuss your experience in similar settings where you had to ship quality code quickly and iterate based on feedback. Highlight your agility in learning new technologies and frameworks, as this will resonate with the company’s emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement.

Connect Your Experience to Mashgin’s Mission

Mashgin is dedicated to enhancing the checkout experience through cutting-edge technology. Research the company’s products and their impact on various industries. During the interview, connect your skills and experiences to Mashgin’s mission. Discuss how your background in software engineering can contribute to their goal of eliminating checkout lines and improving customer experiences.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face in product development, and how they measure success. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the position but also helps you assess if Mashgin is the right fit for you.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview at Mashgin. Good luck!

Mashgin Software Engineer Interview Questions

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Mashgin. The interview will focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your experience in building scalable software solutions. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to coding challenges, and how you can contribute to Mashgin's mission of enhancing checkout experiences through innovative technology.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe your experience with full-stack development and the technologies you have used?

This question aims to assess your breadth of knowledge in both front-end and back-end technologies.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized various technologies, emphasizing your role in both front-end and back-end development. Mention the languages and frameworks you are most comfortable with.

Example

“I have worked on several full-stack projects using Python for the backend with Flask and React for the frontend. In one project, I developed a web application that allowed users to track their purchases in real-time, ensuring a seamless user experience while managing the server-side logic efficiently.”

2. How do you approach debugging and troubleshooting in your code?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and your methodology for identifying and fixing issues.

How to Answer

Explain your systematic approach to debugging, including tools you use and how you isolate problems. Provide an example of a challenging bug you resolved.

Example

“I typically start by replicating the issue and then use logging to trace the problem. For instance, in a recent project, I encountered a performance bottleneck that I traced back to inefficient database queries. By optimizing those queries, I improved the application’s response time significantly.”

3. What is your experience with cloud infrastructure and deployment?

This question assesses your familiarity with cloud services and your ability to deploy applications.

How to Answer

Discuss specific cloud platforms you have used, your experience with deployment processes, and any relevant tools or services.

Example

“I have experience deploying applications on AWS, utilizing services like EC2 for hosting and S3 for storage. I also implemented CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins to automate the deployment process, which reduced our release time by 30%.”

4. Can you explain the importance of algorithms and data structures in software development?

This question tests your understanding of fundamental computer science concepts.

How to Answer

Discuss how algorithms and data structures impact performance and efficiency in software applications. Provide examples of how you have applied them in your work.

Example

“Algorithms and data structures are crucial for optimizing performance. For example, I used a hash table to implement a caching mechanism in a web application, which significantly reduced the load time by minimizing database calls.”

5. Describe a project where you had to rethink an existing codebase for scalability.

This question evaluates your ability to improve and refactor code for better performance.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where you identified scalability issues and the steps you took to address them.

Example

“In a previous project, I inherited a monolithic application that struggled with high traffic. I proposed and implemented a microservices architecture, which allowed us to scale individual components independently, resulting in a 50% increase in throughput during peak times.”

Machine Learning and Computer Vision

1. What experience do you have with machine learning algorithms, particularly in computer vision?

This question assesses your knowledge and practical experience in applying machine learning techniques.

How to Answer

Discuss specific algorithms you have worked with, the projects you applied them to, and the outcomes.

Example

“I have implemented convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image classification tasks in a project that involved analyzing retail product images. This resulted in a 90% accuracy rate in identifying products, which improved our inventory management system.”

2. How do you handle large datasets for training machine learning models?

This question evaluates your experience with data management and preprocessing.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to data collection, cleaning, and preparation for model training.

Example

“I typically use Python libraries like Pandas for data manipulation and TensorFlow for model training. In a recent project, I developed a pipeline that automated data cleaning and augmentation, which allowed us to train our models on larger datasets efficiently.”

3. Can you discuss a time when you had to balance research and production code?

This question assesses your ability to integrate innovative solutions into practical applications.

How to Answer

Share an example where you had to apply research findings to a production environment, highlighting the challenges and solutions.

Example

“I was involved in a project where we researched new image recognition techniques. I had to balance implementing these techniques in production while ensuring they met performance benchmarks. By creating a prototype and testing it in a controlled environment, I was able to validate its effectiveness before full deployment.”

4. What deep learning frameworks are you familiar with, and how have you used them?

This question evaluates your hands-on experience with popular frameworks.

How to Answer

List the frameworks you have used and describe specific projects where they were applied.

Example

“I have worked extensively with TensorFlow and Keras for building deep learning models. In one project, I used TensorFlow to develop a real-time object detection system that improved our checkout process by accurately identifying items in a customer’s cart.”

5. How do you stay updated with the latest developments in machine learning and computer vision?

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use, such as online courses, research papers, or conferences.

Example

“I regularly read research papers on arXiv and follow industry leaders on platforms like Twitter. I also participate in online courses on Coursera to deepen my understanding of emerging techniques and trends in machine learning and computer vision.”

• Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. If more than one person shares the highest salary, the query should select the next highest salary.

• Write a function to merge two sorted lists into one sorted list. Given two sorted lists, write a function to merge them into one sorted list. Bonus: Determine the time complexity.

• Write a function missing_number to find the missing number in an array. You have an array of integers, nums of length n spanning 0 to n with one missing. Write a function missing_number that returns the missing number in the array. Complexity of \(O(n)\) required.

• Write a function precision_recall to calculate precision and recall metrics from a 2-D matrix. Given a 2-D matrix P of predicted values and actual values, write a function precision_recall to calculate precision and recall metrics. Return the ordered pair (precision, recall).

• Write a function to search for a target value in a rotated sorted array. Suppose an array sorted in ascending order is rotated at some pivot unknown to you beforehand. Write a function to search for a target value in the array. If the value is in the array, return its index; otherwise, return -1. Bonus: Your algorithm's runtime complexity should be in the order of \(O(\log n)\).

• Would you think there was anything fishy about the results of an A/B test with 20 variants? Your manager ran an A/B test with 20 different variants and found one significant result. Would you suspect any issues with the results?

• How would you set up an A/B test to optimize button color and position for higher click-through rates? A team wants to A/B test changes in a sign-up funnel, such as changing a button from red to blue and/or moving it from the top to the bottom of the page. How would you design this test?

• What would you do if friend requests on Facebook are down 10%? A product manager at Facebook reports a 10% decrease in friend requests. What steps would you take to address this issue?

• Why would the number of job applicants decrease while job postings remain the same? You observe that the number of job postings per day has remained constant, but the number of applicants has been decreasing. What could be causing this trend?

• What are the drawbacks of the given student test score datasets, and how would you reformat them for better analysis? You have data on student test scores in two different layouts. What are the drawbacks of these formats, and what changes would you make to improve their usefulness for analysis? Additionally, describe common issues in "messy" datasets.

• Is this a fair coin? You flip a coin 10 times, and it comes up tails 8 times and heads twice. Determine if the coin is fair based on this outcome.

• How do you write a function to calculate sample variance? Write a function that outputs the sample variance given a list of integers. Round the result to 2 decimal places. Example input: test_list = [6, 7, 3, 9, 10, 15]. Example output: get_variance(test_list) -> 13.89.

• Is there anything fishy about the A/B test results with 20 variants? Your manager ran an A/B test with 20 different variants and found one significant result. Evaluate if there is anything suspicious about these results.

• How do you find the median in a list with more than 50% repeating integers in O(1) time? Given a list of sorted integers where more than 50% of the list is the same repeating integer, write a function to return the median value in O(1) computational time and space. Example input: li = [1,2,2]. Example output: median(li) -> 2.

• What are the drawbacks and formatting changes needed for messy datasets? Assume you have data on student test scores in two different layouts (dataset 1 and dataset 2). Identify the drawbacks of these layouts, suggest formatting changes to make the data more useful for analysis, and describe common problems seen in messy datasets.

• How would you evaluate whether using a decision tree algorithm is the correct model for predicting loan repayment? You are tasked with building a decision tree model to predict if a borrower will pay back a personal loan. How would you evaluate if a decision tree is the right choice, and how would you assess its performance before and after deployment?

• How does random forest generate the forest, and why use it over logistic regression? Explain the process by which a random forest generates its ensemble of trees. Additionally, discuss the advantages of using random forest over logistic regression.

• When would you use a bagging algorithm versus a boosting algorithm? Compare two machine learning algorithms. Describe scenarios where you would prefer a bagging algorithm over a boosting algorithm, and discuss the tradeoffs between the two.

• How would you justify using a neural network model and explain its predictions to non-technical stakeholders? Your manager asks you to build a neural network model to solve a business problem. How would you justify the complexity of the model and explain its predictions to non-technical stakeholders?

• What metrics would you use to track the accuracy and validity of a spam classifier? You are tasked with building a spam classifier for emails and have completed a V1 of the model. What metrics would you use to evaluate the model's accuracy and validity?

Looking to work at the cutting edge of tech with a company that's revolutionizing checkout experiences? Mashgin is your place! With a stellar Series B funding round at a $1.5B valuation and backing from top Silicon Valley investors, Mashgin offers the chance to be part of something extraordinary. From the NFL to Circle K, our 3D computer vision and deep learning systems are making waves across a myriad of industries.

At Mashgin, we cherish autonomy, respect, and empathy in our work culture. Imagine owning major feature development, collaborating directly with founders, and being involved throughout the entire product lifecycle. Whether you're into full-stack development, machine learning, or hardcore backend engineering, Mashgin provides a dynamic, interdisciplinary team environment where innovation thrives.

For detailed interview insights and preparation tips, explore our Mashgin Interview Guide. Want to delve into specific roles like software engineering or data analysis at Mashgin? Check out our specialized guides here.

At Interview Query, we equip you with the strategic know-how to ace your Mashgin interview. Explore all our company interview guides for comprehensive preparation.

Good luck with your interview, and take the next step toward an exciting career with Mashgin!