Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at CloudKitchens, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
My first step was a very compressed interview-style exercise. I had to finish within an hour, but it wasn’t just about the result—it required explaining my thought process and the design decisions as I went.
After a recruiter call, I went into a pretty technical, high-pressure sequence that spanned several weeks. The first real deep dive centered on low-level design: I had to design classes and end with working, usable code rather than just talking through ideas. It wasn’t only conceptual, and that made the round feel demanding.
Candidates typically start with a take-home assignment that can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring around 8-10 hours to complete. Feedback on these assignments can be inconsistent, leading to confusion about evaluation criteria.
The interview process includes multiple technical coding rounds, often focusing on low-level design, data structures, and algorithms, with an emphasis on producing working code under time constraints. Candidates report that these rounds can feel high-pressure and demanding.
Candidates are required to present and discuss previous projects in detail, including architecture and design decisions, which can lead to stress if expectations are unclear. The depth of questioning can vary, and interviewers may not always grasp the projects well.
Behavioral interviews are included, focusing on cultural fit and past experiences, but candidates often feel these rounds lack depth or clarity. The overall vibe can vary, with some candidates experiencing disengaged interviewers.
The overall structure of the interview process can feel disorganized, with scheduling issues and unclear communication about expectations. Candidates often report feeling left in the dark about their progress and the evaluation criteria.
Candidates frequently express frustration with the lengthy and exhausting nature of the interview process, often feeling that the time invested does not correlate with the outcome. Many leave with a negative impression of the company's evaluation methods.