Preparing for an interview at Samsung Ads requires a balanced approach that combines rigorous technical practice with behavioral preparation. Interviewers look for candidates who can not only write correct code but also explain their thought process clearly.

Technical and Domain Knowledge – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of core software engineering principles, including algorithms, data structures, and system design. Depending on the team, you may also be evaluated on your knowledge of operating systems, networking, or specific frontend/backend frameworks.

Problem-Solving Approach – Interviewers care as much about how you arrive at a solution as they do about the solution itself. You should practice thinking out loud, clarifying requirements, discussing trade-offs, and proactively identifying edge cases before writing code.

System Design Methodology – For system design rounds, you should structure your answers logically, starting with high-level requirements before diving into component design, data flow, and scaling bottlenecks. Be prepared to justify your architectural choices, such as database selection or caching strategies.

Cultural Alignment & Communication – Samsung values collaboration, structured execution, and clear communication. You should be ready to discuss your past projects using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and demonstrate how you align with the company's focus on innovation and quality.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Samsung Ads is structured to thoroughly evaluate both your technical capabilities and your cultural fit. While there may be minor variations based on seniority and location, the journey typically follows a standardized path.

The process begins with an initial HR screening call to discuss your background, experience, and alignment with the role. This is followed by a rigorous online assessment, usually hosted on a platform like HackerRank, which tests your algorithmic problem-solving skills under a strict time limit. Candidates who pass the online assessment are invited to technical rounds, which may include live coding, system design discussions, and deep dives into computer science fundamentals. The final stages consist of managerial and executive interviews that focus on behavioral fit, leadership potential, and overall alignment with the company's culture.

The visual timeline above outlines the typical progression of the Samsung Ads hiring journey, from the initial touchpoint to the final decision. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, ensuring they allocate sufficient time to both technical practice and behavioral framing. Understanding where you are in the process helps you manage your energy and focus on the specific expectations of each upcoming stage.

To succeed at Samsung Ads, you must understand the specific areas where you will be evaluated and what constitutes a strong performance in each.

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)

Algorithmic problem-solving is a core component of the technical evaluation. You must be able to write optimal, bug-free code and analyze its time and space complexity.

Be ready to go over:

• Graph Algorithms – Understanding traversals (BFS, DFS), shortest path algorithms, and topological sorting.
• Dynamic Programming – Recognizing overlapping subproblems and optimal substructure to optimize recursive solutions.
• In-Place Manipulation – Modifying data structures, such as linked lists or arrays, without using auxiliary space.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Segment trees, trie implementations, and complex string matching algorithms.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Given a directed graph representing package dependencies, determine the correct build order."
• "Write an algorithm to find the longest palindromic subsequence in a given string."
• "Implement an in-place algorithm to reverse a singly linked list in groups of a given size."

System Design & Architecture

System design rounds assess your ability to build scalable, reliable, and performant systems that can handle large volumes of data.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Ingestion Pipelines – Designing architectures to process massive streams of real-time data.
• Caching Strategies – Implementing caching layers to minimize database load and reduce latency.
• Microservices Communication – Choosing between synchronous (gRPC/REST) and asynchronous (message queues) communication.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Consistent hashing, distributed consensus protocols, and database sharding techniques.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Design a distributed system that tracks and aggregates ad impressions in real-time."
• "How would you architect a system to handle millions of concurrent video uploads while ensuring low latency for playback?"
• "Design a global rate-limiting service that can handle billions of requests daily across multiple data centers."

Computer Science Fundamentals & Core Subjects

A strong grasp of computer science fundamentals is essential, as Samsung systems operate close to the metal and require optimal resource utilization.

Be ready to go over:

• Operating System Concepts – Understanding process scheduling, memory management, and concurrency.
• Object-Oriented Design – Applying design patterns to create modular, extensible, and maintainable code bases.
• Database Internals – Understanding indexing, transaction isolation levels, and query optimization.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Low-level memory management, network socket programming, and compiler optimization.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain how virtual memory is mapped to physical memory and what happens during a page fault."
• "Design a thread-safe singleton class in your preferred programming language."
• "How would you optimize a database query that is performing a full table scan on a table with millions of rows?"

Behavioral & Executive Evaluation

The "Executive Interview" is a unique and critical part of the Samsung process, focusing on your communication skills, negotiation abilities, and cultural fit.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – Demonstrating how you navigate disagreements within a team to reach a positive outcome.
• Project Ownership – Showing how you take accountability for deliverables and handle project setbacks.
• Alignment with Company Values – Explaining your motivation for joining Samsung Ads and how you fit into a structured, collaborative environment.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Managing stakeholder expectations when project timelines are delayed.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult technical trade-off to meet a project deadline."
• "Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult stakeholder. How did you ensure the project's success?"
• "Why do you want to work for Samsung Ads specifically, rather than other ad-tech or consumer electronics companies?"