Abnormal AI Software Engineer interview experience

By the time I was in the panel stage, the process had gotten to the point where I almost expected another interview after, because it was suggested there could be a further top-grading-style round.

The technical rounds didn’t feel like classic LeetCode or typical “system design” as I’d practiced it before. One of the interview problems was described in a way that felt more like “something abnormal” than a standard template, and I remember getting grilled on Spark when I didn’t feel fully oriented to why that was the target competency. The interviewers were supportive during the discussion,