Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Grab, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After the recruiter reached out through LinkedIn, everything moved quickly. I ended up scheduling the HR conversation and was interviewed the very next day. The HR screen was friendly and focused on my background—mainly aligning with the engineering role I was interested in and walking through what I had already written on my resume, plus a short self-introduction.
My interview experience felt lighter in scope and more “intern-style,” but still technical. I started with coding questions that leaned toward CS fundamentals and practical algorithmic work, including an explicit focus on things like ML algorithms. There was also a live coding component where I had to write and reason through the solution in real time.
The interview process typically starts with a recruiter call, followed by a structured sequence of technical rounds including coding, system design, and behavioral assessments, often culminating in an HR discussion. Candidates noted that the timeline was generally steady, with clear expectations for each stage.
Candidates experienced live coding sessions focused on data structures and algorithms, often using platforms like Codility or LeetCode-style questions, where they were expected to explain their thought process while coding. The difficulty varied, but many found the coding rounds to be manageable yet still demanding.
System design interviews were a significant part of the process, requiring candidates to discuss architecture, trade-offs, and real-world applications of their designs. These discussions often went beyond high-level concepts to include specific details relevant to the role.
Behavioral interviews focused on cultural fit and past experiences, often involving discussions about teamwork, project management, and engineering principles. Candidates were encouraged to articulate their thought processes and decision-making strategies.
Overall, candidates described the interview environment as professional and respectful, with a mix of accommodating and challenging interactions. However, some reported instances of unclear expectations or judgmental attitudes from interviewers, which affected their experience.
Several candidates expressed frustration with the lack of feedback and closure after interviews, noting that communication could be slow or absent, particularly after technical rounds. This left some feeling uncertain about their performance and the overall process.