Sonder Inc. Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Sonder Inc. is a company that redefines hospitality by combining technology and beautifully designed spaces to create a seamless experience for travelers.

As a Software Engineer at Sonder, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining scalable applications that enhance the customer experience. Your key responsibilities will include designing robust software architectures, writing clean and maintainable code, and collaborating cross-functionally with product managers and designers to implement features that align with business needs. You should be proficient in algorithms and data structures, as the role requires you to tackle coding challenges that reflect real-world applications. A strong understanding of system design principles is also crucial, as you'll be tasked with architecting solutions that optimize performance and reliability.

Ideal candidates for this position will possess a mix of technical prowess and a collaborative mindset, as Sonder values teamwork and innovative problem-solving. Experience with modern programming languages and frameworks, along with a knack for adapting to changing requirements, will set you apart. Moreover, your ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively will be essential in ensuring alignment with stakeholders.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview process by providing insights into the skills and qualities Sonder is looking for, as well as the types of questions you can expect. By understanding the company's values and the specific demands of the role, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate ready to contribute to Sonder's mission.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Sonder Inc. is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with Sonder's values.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with an initial phone screen, usually lasting around 30 minutes. This conversation is typically conducted by a recruiter or a member of the engineering team. During this call, candidates can expect to discuss their background, the role, and the company culture. This is also an opportunity for candidates to ask questions about Sonder and the team dynamics.

2. Technical Phone Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates will participate in a technical phone interview. This session often includes a coding challenge, typically in a format similar to LeetCode. Candidates should be prepared to solve problems in real-time while explaining their thought process. The focus is on coding proficiency and problem-solving skills, so familiarity with data structures and algorithms is essential.

3. Onsite Interview

Candidates who successfully pass the technical phone interview will be invited to a comprehensive onsite interview, which can last a full day. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds, including coding exercises, system design questions, and behavioral interviews. The coding exercises may involve practical scenarios relevant to Sonder's business, allowing candidates to demonstrate their ability to model applications and adapt to changing requirements.

During the onsite, candidates will also engage in discussions about their past projects and experiences, providing insight into their technical expertise and collaborative skills. Additionally, there may be a culture interview where candidates discuss their alignment with Sonder's values and work ethic.

4. Final Discussions

In some cases, candidates may have a final discussion with senior leadership, such as the Director of Engineering or even the CEO. This conversation often focuses on broader company goals, the candidate's long-term aspirations, and how they can contribute to Sonder's mission.

Throughout the interview process, candidates are encouraged to showcase their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. The experience is designed to be thorough yet engaging, reflecting Sonder's commitment to finding the right talent for their team.

As you prepare for your interview, it's important to be ready for the specific questions that may arise during each stage of the process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview at Sonder Inc. for the Software Engineer role.

Understand the Interview Structure

Familiarize yourself with the typical interview process at Sonder, which often includes a phone screen, a coding challenge, and an onsite interview with multiple rounds. The onsite typically consists of coding, system design, and behavioral interviews. Knowing the structure will help you prepare effectively and manage your time during the interviews.

Prepare for Coding Challenges

Expect to encounter LeetCode-style coding questions that assess your problem-solving skills and coding proficiency. Brush up on data structures and algorithms, focusing on their practical applications. Practice coding under timed conditions to simulate the pressure of the interview environment. Remember, the interviewers value your thought process, so articulate your reasoning as you work through problems.

Emphasize System Design Skills

During the onsite interviews, you may face system design questions relevant to Sonder's business. Prepare to discuss how you would model applications and adapt to changing requirements. Think about scalability, maintainability, and how your designs can solve real-world problems. Be ready to explain your design choices and the trade-offs involved.

Showcase Relevant Experience

Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting your contributions and the lessons learned. This is not just about technical skills; the interviewers are interested in your ability to reflect on your experiences and how they shape your approach to new challenges. Tailor your examples to align with Sonder's mission and values.

Communicate Effectively

Throughout the interview process, clear communication is key. Whether you're coding, discussing system design, or answering behavioral questions, ensure that you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Engage with your interviewers, ask clarifying questions, and be open to feedback. This will demonstrate your collaborative spirit and adaptability.

Be Mindful of Company Culture

Sonder values a positive and accommodating work environment. Show enthusiasm for the company’s mission and culture during your interviews. Research their recent projects and challenges, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. Your alignment with the company culture can be a significant factor in their decision-making process.

Stay Positive and Resilient

Interviews can be challenging, and it's important to maintain a positive attitude, even if you encounter difficulties. Many candidates have reported that Sonder's interviewers are accommodating and supportive, so don't hesitate to ask for clarification or assistance if needed. Your ability to stay calm under pressure will reflect well on your character.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Sonder Inc. Good luck!

Coding and Algorithms

1. Can you solve a LeetCode-style problem involving data structures?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and familiarity with common algorithms and data structures.

How to Answer

Be prepared to explain your thought process as you work through the problem. Focus on the efficiency of your solution and discuss any trade-offs you considered.

Example

“I would start by identifying the data structure that best fits the problem. For instance, if it involves searching, I might use a hash table for O(1) lookups. I would then outline my approach, implement the solution, and discuss its time and space complexity.”

2. How would you implement a method for booking accommodation?

This question tests your ability to design a practical solution relevant to Sonder's business.

How to Answer

Discuss the requirements of the booking system, including user inputs, data storage, and any necessary validations. Highlight your approach to ensuring scalability and maintainability.

Example

“I would start by defining the user interface for booking, including fields for dates, location, and user details. Then, I would design a backend service that interacts with a database to store and retrieve booking information, ensuring that it can handle concurrent requests efficiently.”

3. Describe a recent project you worked on and the challenges you faced.

This question allows you to showcase your experience and problem-solving skills in a real-world context.

How to Answer

Choose a project that highlights your technical skills and the impact of your contributions. Discuss specific challenges and how you overcame them.

Example

“In my last project, I developed a microservices architecture for a web application. One challenge was ensuring communication between services. I implemented an API gateway to manage requests and used asynchronous messaging to improve performance, which resulted in a 30% reduction in response time.”

4. How do you approach debugging a complex issue in your code?

This question evaluates your troubleshooting skills and your methodical approach to problem-solving.

How to Answer

Explain your systematic approach to debugging, including how you isolate the problem and test potential solutions.

Example

“When debugging, I first reproduce the issue to understand its context. I then use logging to trace the execution flow and identify where things go wrong. Once I have a hypothesis, I test it in isolation to confirm whether it resolves the issue.”

5. Can you explain the differences between various data structures and when to use them?

This question assesses your understanding of data structures and their applications.

How to Answer

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of common data structures, and provide examples of scenarios where each would be appropriate.

Example

“Arrays are great for indexed access but have fixed sizes, while linked lists allow for dynamic sizing but have slower access times. I would use a hash table for fast lookups and a tree structure for sorted data, depending on the specific requirements of the application.”

System Design

1. How would you design a scalable system for managing user data?

This question tests your ability to think critically about system architecture and scalability.

How to Answer

Outline the components of your system, including data storage, APIs, and user authentication. Discuss how you would ensure scalability and reliability.

Example

“I would design a microservices architecture where each service handles a specific aspect of user data, such as authentication, profile management, and preferences. I would use a NoSQL database for flexibility and scale horizontally, and implement caching to improve performance.”

2. Describe how you would handle data consistency in a distributed system.

This question evaluates your understanding of distributed systems and data integrity.

How to Answer

Discuss strategies for maintaining data consistency, such as eventual consistency, distributed transactions, or using consensus algorithms.

Example

“In a distributed system, I would implement eventual consistency to allow for high availability. I would use techniques like conflict-free replicated data types (CRDTs) to manage data changes across nodes and ensure that all replicas converge to the same state over time.”

3. What considerations would you take into account when designing an API?

This question assesses your understanding of API design principles and best practices.

How to Answer

Discuss aspects such as RESTful principles, versioning, authentication, and documentation.

Example

“When designing an API, I would ensure it follows RESTful principles, using clear and consistent naming conventions for endpoints. I would implement versioning to manage changes over time and include thorough documentation to facilitate ease of use for developers.”

4. How would you approach designing a feature that requires real-time data processing?

This question tests your ability to design systems that handle real-time data efficiently.

How to Answer

Discuss the technologies and architectures you would use, such as event-driven architectures or stream processing frameworks.

Example

“I would use a message broker like Kafka to handle incoming data streams and process them in real-time using a stream processing framework like Apache Flink. This would allow for low-latency processing and the ability to scale as data volume increases.”

5. Can you walk us through your thought process for a recent system design challenge?

This question allows you to demonstrate your practical experience in system design.

How to Answer

Choose a specific challenge, describe the requirements, and explain your design choices and the rationale behind them.

Example

“Recently, I designed a notification system for a web application. The requirements included sending real-time alerts to users based on specific triggers. I opted for a pub/sub model using Redis for message brokering, which allowed for efficient message delivery and scaling as user demand increased.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Why are you interested in working at Sonder?

This question assesses your motivation and alignment with the company’s mission and values.

How to Answer

Discuss what specifically attracts you to Sonder, such as its culture, mission, or innovative approach to hospitality.

Example

“I’m drawn to Sonder because of its commitment to redefining the hospitality experience through technology. I admire how the company blends modern design with user-centric solutions, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to such an innovative team.”

2. Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a difficult team member.

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate challenges in teamwork.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, focusing on how you approached the situation and what you learned from it.

Example

“In a previous project, I worked with a team member who had a very different communication style. I took the initiative to schedule regular check-ins to ensure we were aligned and to address any misunderstandings early. This improved our collaboration and ultimately led to a successful project outcome.”

3. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use to manage your workload.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact. I use a combination of the Eisenhower Matrix and project management tools like Trello to keep track of deadlines and progress. This helps me focus on high-impact tasks while ensuring that I meet all project requirements.”

4. Can you give an example of a time you failed and what you learned from it?

This question evaluates your ability to reflect on experiences and learn from mistakes.

How to Answer

Choose a specific failure, explain the context, and focus on the lessons learned and how you applied them in the future.

Example

“Early in my career, I underestimated the time required for a project, which led to missed deadlines. I learned the importance of thorough planning and setting realistic timelines. Since then, I’ve made it a point to involve stakeholders in the planning process to ensure all perspectives are considered.”

5. How do you stay current with industry trends and technologies?

This question assesses your commitment to professional development and staying informed.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep up with industry trends, such as blogs, podcasts, or online courses.

Example

“I regularly read industry blogs like TechCrunch and follow thought leaders on LinkedIn. I also participate in online courses and attend webinars to deepen my knowledge of emerging technologies. This helps me stay informed and continuously improve my skills.”