Pinterest Software Engineer Interview Guide (2025) – Process, Questions, and Tips

From mood boards to product launches, Pinterest has quietly evolved into a powerhouse of digital inspiration. In 2025, the company reported healthy user growth and deepened its AI investment strategy to power personalized content for over 570 million monthly active users.

From rolling out advanced shopping integrations to strengthening its creator ecosystem, Pinterest has carved out a unique space in the intersection of visual content, search, and commerce.

Joining Pinterest as a software engineer means competing with top-tier talent for a role that blends infrastructure scalability, AI personalization, and user experience optimization. With an interview process that emphasizes both technical depth and cultural alignment, candidates can expect rigorous assessments across system design, algorithmic thinking, and practical coding.

In this article, we’ll discuss the interview process, a few medium-to-hard Pinterest software engineer interview questions, and a preparation strategy you can embrace.

Understanding the interview process is just as critical as preparing for the recurring questions asked in the Pinterest software engineer interviews. Here is an overview of the same:

• Applications and Recruiter Screen
• Technical Interviews
• Onsite/Final Round
• Feedback & Offer

Applications and Recruiter Screen

The process usually starts after you apply online. If your background looks like a good match, a Pinterest recruiter (or sometimes a third-party partner) will reach out to schedule a quick call. This call lasts about 30–45 minutes and is all about seeing if the role is a good fit for both you and Pinterest. The recruiter will walk you through the role, what the interview process looks like, and answer any questions you have about the team, company culture, or what to expect next.

Technical Interviews

Next comes the technical video interview, which usually takes 45–60 minutes. This is done on a shared coding platform like CoderPad, where you’ll solve 1 or 2 coding problems while talking through your thought process. You’ll start with a short intro and end with time for questions. The problems often involve things like arrays, hash tables, or graphs, and may include algorithms (like DFS or sorting), SQL queries, and debugging code. It’s less about getting everything perfect and more about how you think and solve problems.

Onsite/Final Round

If you do well in the technical screen, you’ll be invited to the final round—either onsite or virtual. This round takes up most of the day and includes 5–6 interviews with different engineers and hiring managers. You’ll have a few technical rounds, including one focused on data structures and algorithms, another on system design (like how to build scalable Pinterest features), and one that’s specific to your background—maybe backend, frontend, or machine learning. There’s also a behavioral interview where they’ll ask about how you work with others, handle challenges, or make decisions. One session is more casual, like a lunch chat or a talk with the hiring manager about your goals and how you’d fit in with the team.

Feedback & Offer

After the final round, the team will meet to share feedback and make a decision. If everything goes well and you’re a match for the role, the recruiter will contact you with an offer and walk you through the details. You’ll also have a chance to ask more questions and talk about next steps.

Pinterest asks a mix of technical, system design, and behavioral questions to assess your coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you collaborate with others. Here’s a look at the types of questions you might encounter and how they reflect the real challenges engineers tackle at Pinterest.

Coding / Technical Questions

These questions test your programming, data, and algorithmic skills, critical to succeed as a Pinterest software engineer:

1. Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department.

To find the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department, you can use a SQL query with a subquery or a common table expression (CTE). The query should first filter for the engineering department, then order the salaries in descending order, and finally select the second distinct salary. Consider using the LIMIT or OFFSET clause to achieve this.

2. Given two lists of release dates, return the list with more dates past a certain input variable date D.

To solve this, iterate through both lists and count the number of dates that are greater than the given date D. Compare the counts from both lists and return the list with the higher count of dates past D. Handle edge cases where lists might be empty or contain dates equal to D.

3. Given an array of unsorted random numbers denoted nums write a function find_iqr to find the interquartile distance.

To find the interquartile distance, sort the array and determine the first (Q1) and third quartiles (Q3). The interquartile distance is the difference between Q3 and Q1. Use Python’s statistics module or manually calculate the quartiles by finding the median of the lower and upper halves of the sorted array.

4. Priority queues are an abstract data structure responsible for allowing enqueuing items with an attached priority. While typically implemented with a heap, implement a priority queue using a linked list.

To implement a priority queue using a linked list, create a linked list where each node contains an element and its priority. The insert operation should place elements in the list based on their priority, ensuring the list is sorted. The delete and peek operations should access the element with the highest priority, which is at the head of the list.

5. Write a query to get the percentage of comments, by ad, that occurs in the feed versus mentions sections of the app.

To solve this, join the ads table with both feed_comments and moments_comments tables on ad_id. Calculate the total comments for each ad and then compute the percentage of comments in the feed and moments sections. Use a GROUP BY clause on the ad name and apply COUNT and SUM functions to derive the percentages

6. Given two strings, string1 and string2, write a function max_substring to return the maximal substring shared by both strings.

To find the maximal substring shared by two strings, iterate through all possible substrings of one string and check if they exist in the other string. Use a nested loop to generate substrings and a set to track the longest common substring found. If multiple substrings have the same maximal length, return any one of them.

System/Product Design Questions

These questions assess your ability to architect systems, design features, and work with cross-functional teams:

7. Create a schema to keep track of customer address changes

To track customer address changes, design a schema with three tables: Customers, Addresses, and CustomerAddressHistory. The Customers table holds customer details, the Addresses table stores address details, and the CustomerAddressHistory table records each occupancy period with move-in and move-out dates. This setup allows tracking of both historical and current address data, using a Slowly Changing Dimension Type II approach.

8. Design a data pipeline for hourly user analytics

To build a data pipeline for hourly user analytics, start by identifying the necessary data fields and ensuring the table is read-only. Use SQL databases for aggregation, employing queries that utilize the DATE_TRUNC function to get metrics for the last hour, day, and week. Implement a unified query approach to aggregate data and store it in a data lake, ensuring scalability and efficient resource use. Use an orchestrator like AirFlow to run the process every hour, and consider edge cases like delayed data due to network issues.

9. How would you design a system to process and display real-time data across multiple platforms for live comments and reactions?

Designing such a system involves ensuring comments are persistent and reactions are updated in real-time across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The system should handle real-time data processing and display, possibly using a distributed architecture with message queues for scalability. For AI censorship, consider a dynamic approach using NLP to handle latency effectively.

10. How would you build a restaurant recommender on Facebook?

Building a restaurant recommender involves collecting data on user preferences and interactions, defining a feature set, selecting an appropriate model, and evaluating its performance. Consider potential challenges like data privacy and user engagement. Implement random test data points to assess recommendation quality and ensure the system’s effectiveness.

11. Determine the requirements for designing a database system to store payment APIs

The functional requirements for the database include handling API requests, verifying API keys, and ensuring data encryption, especially for sensitive information like credit card details. Non-functional requirements focus on upgradability, flexibility in managing queries, and speed in delivering API calls to maintain customer retention. The database should be JSON-friendly, such as MongoDB, and should support machine learning pipelines for fraud detection.

Behavioral or “Culture Fit” Questions

These Pinterest software engineering behavioral questions evaluate your interpersonal skills, work style, and alignment with Pinterest’s values:

12. How do you handle situations where colleagues disagree with you?

Pinterest values open dialogue and constructive feedback, especially in its remote-first environment where clear communication is essential. To handle disagreements with colleagues, use the STAR method to describe the situation, task, action, and result. Clearly state the objections and how you addressed them, emphasizing negotiation and collaboration without undermining your colleague’s perspective.

13. What do you tell an interviewer when they ask you what your strengths and weaknesses are?

When discussing strengths, focus on what sets you apart and back it up with examples using the STAR method. For weaknesses, avoid listing insecurities and instead show how you recognize and manage them, possibly spinning them into strengths without appearing arrogant. Pinterest looks for self-aware engineers who are committed to growth and have a merchant-first mindset.

14. How comfortable are you presenting your insights?

Pinterest engineers often share insights with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and data scientists, to drive merchant success. To answer this, describe your process for preparing data presentations, strategies for making data accessible, and the tools you use. Highlight your experience with both in-person and virtual presentations, as this is crucial in today’s market.

15. How do you prioritize multiple deadlines?

Pinterest’s collaborative and fast-paced environment requires engineers to manage multiple projects and adapt quickly to changing priorities, always with a focus on merchant impact. To effectively prioritize multiple deadlines, one can use techniques such as creating a priority matrix, setting clear goals, and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts. Staying organized involves using tools like calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to track progress and deadlines.

To prepare for a software engineer interview at Pinterest, break down your preparation into manageable steps for confidence. Begin by reviewing key skills for the role, such as data structures and algorithms—arrays, graphs, trees, and hash maps—along with SQL topics like joins, filters, aggregations, and window functions.

Also, study system design basics, especially how to build scalable features like home feeds or recommendation systems.

Practice solving problems under time constraints using our platform, and verbalize your thought process to get comfortable explaining your ideas in real interviews.

Reflect on real-world scenarios from your experience, such as solving tough bugs, collaborating with teams, or improving products, and use the STAR method to structure your answers for behavioral interviews.

Conduct mock interviews with friends, mentors, or online AI Interview tools to refine your communication skills and grow comfortable with the interview format, even if you don’t always get the perfect solution right away.

Finally, research Pinterest’s products, engineering culture, and the specific team you’re applying to by reading their tech blog, watching recent talks, and reviewing their careers page. Prepare thoughtful questions for interviewers about the team’s work, challenges, and how success is measured.

What types of questions are asked?

Pinterest’s Software Engineer interviews typically cover core computer science fundamentals. Expect questions on data structures, algorithms, debugging, system design, SQL queries, and backend architecture. Behavioral questions that assess team collaboration and problem-solving mindset are also common.

Are there any specific areas to focus on in system design?

Yes. Pinterest may ask system design questions that relate directly to the platform—such as improving the scalability of the home feed, optimizing content delivery, or handling large volumes of user-generated data. Candidates should be ready to discuss UI trade-offs, caching strategies, and real-time data pipelines.

What is the general sentiment towards the interview process?

Most candidates describe the Pinterest interview process as fair, structured, and respectful. While technical rigor is expected, the overall sentiment from past applicants ranges from neutral to positive, with many highlighting a supportive recruiter experience.

What should I expect from the interviewers?

Interviewers at Pinterest are generally described as friendly, engaging, and encouraging. They often aim to create a collaborative atmosphere where candidates feel comfortable thinking aloud and walking through their approaches.

How many rounds should I prepare for?

Candidates typically go through 4–5 rounds of interviews. This includes an initial online assessment, followed by technical interviews (coding and system design), and behavioral or cultural fit rounds. Expect both technical depth and team-collaboration evaluations.

What is the typical format of the interviews?

The process usually begins with an online coding assessment, followed by virtual technical interviews. These may include pair programming, whiteboarding (or shared screen coding), and a final behavioral or values-fit interview. Overall, the format is candidate-friendly, with helpful recruiters guiding you through each step.

To succeed in your Pinterest Software Engineer interview, focus on understanding the company’s products and engineering challenges, and practice coding, SQL, and system design problems similar to those asked in real interviews. Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on teamwork and problem-solving experiences, and simulate interview conditions with mock interviews to build confidence and communication skills.

For more encouragement, follow Hanna Lee’s success story that offers real interview insights and a clear overview. Their resources help you target your practice, learn from others’ experiences, and boost your chances of landing the job. All the best!