Preparing for an interview at Norm Ai requires a balanced approach of deep technical mastery, practical system design skills, and a strong understanding of how to build software in an AI-focused ecosystem. You should be ready to demonstrate not just that you can write clean code, but that you understand how your code fits into a larger, complex architecture.

To stand out, focus your preparation on these key evaluation criteria:

System Design Capability – You must be able to design scalable, fault-tolerant distributed systems. Focus on data modeling, API design, caching strategies, and load balancing. You should also consider the specific challenges of AI engineering, such as managing long-running asynchronous tasks and orchestrating model inputs/outputs.

Technical Depth & Execution – Show that you understand the underlying mechanics of the tools you use. Whether you are discussing databases, concurrency models, or networking protocols, be prepared to explain the "why" behind your technical choices and how you optimize for performance and reliability.

Problem-Solving & Ambiguity – Startups move fast and often deal with poorly defined problems. Interviewers want to see how you break down complex, ambiguous requirements into concrete, actionable engineering steps. Communicate your thought process clearly and systematically.

Collaboration & Product Mindset – At Norm Ai, engineers do not work in silos. You need to demonstrate that you can collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and that you keep the end-user experience and business goals in mind when making technical decisions.

The interview process at Norm Ai is structured to evaluate your technical competency, system design skills, and cultural fit through a series of progressive stages. Candidates have noted that the process moves quickly, reflecting the fast-paced nature of the company.

The typical journey consists of the following stages:

• Initial Screen: A conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background, your interest in Norm Ai, and high-level alignment with the role.
• Technical Screen: A technical video call focusing on your prior experience and a small system design exercise to assess your architectural thinking.
• Take-Home Assessment: A practical coding project designed to evaluate your real-world development skills, code quality, and testing practices.
• Virtual or Onsite Interview: A multi-part interview loop that includes in-depth system design sessions, a review of your take-home assessment, and behavioral interviews with cross-functional team members.

This timeline outlines the typical path a candidate takes from application to offer. While the process is rigorous, it is designed to give you a clear understanding of the engineering culture and the types of problems you will solve daily. The onsite portion in the New York, NY office also provides an opportunity to meet the team in person and experience their collaborative working environment.