Near Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Near is a leading provider in the digital asset and blockchain technology space, dedicated to innovating solutions that empower clients to navigate the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies.

As a Software Engineer at Near, you will be pivotal in designing and developing robust, scalable software solutions that facilitate the integration of blockchain technology into user-friendly applications. Your primary responsibilities will involve creating efficient APIs, libraries, and services that support the company's API-first platform. You will take ownership of projects from inception through deployment, ensuring functionality and scalability while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver new features. A strong background in algorithm design and problem-solving will be essential, as well as proficiency in modern programming languages such as TypeScript and Node.js. The ideal candidate will possess a keen interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, embodying the company's values of open communication, transparency, and high craftsmanship.

This guide is designed to equip you with the necessary insights and knowledge to excel in your interview at Near, helping you to stand out as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Near is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of your capabilities and experiences.

1. Initial Technical Interview

The first round is a technical interview, usually conducted over the phone or via video call. In this session, you will be asked to solve coding problems that may include data structures and algorithms, with a particular focus on your understanding of binary trees and other fundamental concepts. You should be prepared to discuss your previous projects and how they relate to the role.

2. Advanced Technical Interview

Following the initial interview, candidates typically participate in a second technical round. This round dives deeper into your coding skills, often involving live coding exercises where you may be asked to debug existing code or write new code in languages such as JavaScript or TypeScript. Expect questions that test your knowledge of web technologies, including CSS and JavaScript fundamentals, as well as your ability to work with RESTful APIs.

3. Managerial Interview

The third round usually involves a managerial interview, where you will meet with a team lead or manager. This interview focuses on your problem-solving approach, teamwork, and how you handle project management. Be ready to discuss your experiences working in cross-functional teams and how you prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

4. HR Interview

The final round is typically an HR interview, which assesses your fit within the company culture and your alignment with Near's values. This round may include discussions about your career goals, work-life balance, and how you handle feedback and conflict in a team setting. Additionally, you may discuss compensation and benefits during this stage.

As you prepare for these interviews, it's essential to be ready for a variety of questions that will test your technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. Next, we will explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

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

Understand the Technical Landscape

Given the emphasis on algorithm design and problem-solving, it's crucial to brush up on your algorithmic skills. Be prepared to discuss your approach to solving complex problems and demonstrate your understanding of data structures and algorithms. Familiarize yourself with common coding challenges, especially those related to binary trees and other fundamental structures, as these have been noted in previous interviews.

Master the Core Technologies

Since the role requires strong experience with TypeScript, Node.js, and Express, ensure you are comfortable with these technologies. Be ready to discuss your past projects where you utilized these tools, and consider preparing a small project or code snippet to showcase your skills. Additionally, understanding RESTful API design and microservices architecture will be beneficial, as these are key components of the role.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

The interview process at Near has been described as polite and positive, indicating a company culture that values open communication and teamwork. Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in collaborative environments, how you handle feedback, and your approach to mentoring others. Highlight instances where you took ownership of a project or contributed to a team’s success.

Showcase Your Passion for Cryptocurrencies

Given the company's focus on digital assets, demonstrating a strong interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology will set you apart. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the industry, any relevant projects you've worked on, and your thoughts on current trends. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also align you with the company’s mission.

Practice Clear Communication

As the interviewers are described as polite and supportive, it’s essential to communicate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Practice explaining your thought process while solving coding problems, and don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions if you don’t understand something. This will demonstrate your collaborative spirit and willingness to engage with the team.

Engage with the Interviewers

Finally, remember that interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the technologies they are currently exploring, and how they measure success in the role. This will not only show your interest in the position but also help you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Near. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with relevant technologies. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and demonstrate your coding skills through practical exercises.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between RESTful APIs and GraphQL?

Understanding the nuances between these two API styles is crucial for a software engineer, especially in a role focused on building APIs.

How to Answer

Discuss the architectural principles behind REST and GraphQL, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Mention scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

"RESTful APIs are resource-oriented and use standard HTTP methods, making them easy to cache and scale. In contrast, GraphQL allows clients to request exactly the data they need, reducing over-fetching. For instance, if a client needs specific fields from multiple resources, GraphQL can streamline that request into a single call, which is particularly useful in mobile applications with limited bandwidth."

2. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the problem, and how did you solve it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to improve existing systems.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the initial issue, your approach to optimization, and the results of your changes.

Example

"I was working on a data processing module that was taking too long to execute. I identified that a nested loop was causing inefficiencies. By refactoring the code to use a hash map for lookups instead, I reduced the time complexity from O(n^2) to O(n), which improved the execution time by over 50%."

Algorithms and Data Structures

3. How would you implement a binary search algorithm?

This question tests your understanding of fundamental algorithms and your coding skills.

How to Answer

Explain the binary search algorithm conceptually, then write out the code or pseudocode to demonstrate your understanding.

Example

"Binary search works on sorted arrays by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half. If the target value is less than the middle element, the search continues in the lower half; otherwise, it continues in the upper half. Here’s a simple implementation in JavaScript:"

javascript function binarySearch(arr, target) { let left = 0; let right = arr.length - 1; while (left <= right) { const mid = Math.floor((left + right) / 2); if (arr[mid] === target) return mid; if (arr[mid] < target) left = mid + 1; else right = mid - 1; } return -1; // target not found }

4. What is the time complexity of a merge sort?

This question evaluates your knowledge of sorting algorithms and their efficiencies.

How to Answer

Discuss the merge sort algorithm and its time complexity in both average and worst-case scenarios.

Example

"Merge sort has a time complexity of O(n log n) in both average and worst-case scenarios. This is because the algorithm divides the array into halves recursively and then merges the sorted halves, which takes linear time."

Programming Languages

5. What are the key features of TypeScript that differentiate it from JavaScript?

This question assesses your familiarity with TypeScript, which is essential for the role.

How to Answer

Highlight TypeScript's static typing, interfaces, and other features that enhance JavaScript development.

Example

"TypeScript introduces static typing, which helps catch errors at compile time rather than runtime. It also supports interfaces, allowing for better structure and documentation of code. For example, defining a function with specific parameter types can prevent unexpected behavior during execution."

6. Can you explain how promises work in JavaScript?

Understanding asynchronous programming is crucial for modern web development.

How to Answer

Describe the concept of promises, their states, and how they are used to handle asynchronous operations.

Example

"Promises in JavaScript represent a value that may be available now, or in the future, or never. They have three states: pending, fulfilled, and rejected. For instance, when making an API call, a promise can be used to handle the response once it arrives, allowing the code to continue executing without blocking."

System Design

7. How would you design a URL shortening service?

This question tests your ability to design scalable systems.

How to Answer

Outline the components of the system, including database design, API endpoints, and considerations for scalability.

Example

"I would start by creating a database to store the original URLs and their corresponding shortened versions. The API would have endpoints for creating a short URL and redirecting to the original URL. To ensure scalability, I would implement a hashing algorithm to generate unique short URLs and consider using a caching layer to speed up lookups."

8. What strategies would you use to ensure the performance and scalability of a web application?

This question evaluates your understanding of performance optimization techniques.

How to Answer

Discuss various strategies such as load balancing, caching, database optimization, and code splitting.

Example

"To ensure performance and scalability, I would implement load balancing to distribute traffic across multiple servers. Caching frequently accessed data can reduce database load, while optimizing database queries can improve response times. Additionally, using code splitting in the front end can enhance load times by only loading necessary code for the current view."

Collaboration and Communication

9. How do you handle disagreements with team members during a project?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing open communication and collaboration.

Example

"When disagreements arise, I believe in addressing them directly and respectfully. I would initiate a discussion to understand the other person's perspective and share my own. If necessary, I would involve a neutral third party to mediate and help us reach a consensus that aligns with our project goals."

10. Describe a project where you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams. What challenges did you face?

This question evaluates your experience working with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the project, your role, and how you overcame challenges.

Example

"I worked on a project to develop a new feature that required collaboration between the engineering, design, and product management teams. One challenge was aligning our timelines and expectations. I facilitated regular check-ins to ensure everyone was on the same page, which helped us meet our deadlines and deliver a successful product."