I applied for the role of Software Architect (Java) at a well-known tech company through LinkedIn. In my resume, I highlighted things like this:

• My experience with microservices and cloud architecture
• Scalability and performance optimizations
• Using frameworks like Spring Boot
• Building and working with distributed systems
• Leading teams and technical mentorship

Soon after, a recruiter contacted me for an initial chat. We talked about my background, the projects I’ve worked on, and why I was interested in this role.

Round 1: Technical Screening (Online Test)

The first round was an online coding assessment with two main parts:

1. Coding Challenge

• I had to build a thread-safe cache in Java
• I also optimized a recursive function using dynamic programming

2. Core Java Concepts

• Multithreading and concurrency
• SOLID principles for clean architecture
• Design patterns like Singleton, Factory, and Strategy
• JVM memory management and garbage collection

I focused on writing clean and efficient code with proper unit tests. That made a good impression and helped me clear this round.

Round 2: System Design — E-commerce Platform

In this round, I was asked to design a scalable e-commerce platform. The system needed to support:

• A microservices architecture
• High availability and fault tolerance
• The ability to handle millions of users at the same time
• Database sharding for better data handling

how I approached it

• System Architecture: I drew a high-level diagram using microservices like User Service, Product Service, Order Service, etc.
• Database Strategy: I chose a mix of SQL (for things like payments and orders) and NoSQL (for product listings and search), with sharding to spread the data.
• Event-Driven Design: I used Kafka for real-time communication between services, especially for order processing and inventory updates.
• Security: I explained how I would use OAuth, JWT tokens, and role-based access control (RBAC) to secure the system.

The interviewer appreciated how I clearly explained my decisions and trade-offs.

Round 3: Advanced Java and Problem Solving

This round was all about my deep knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, and building large-scale enterprise applications.

Some key questions they asked me:

• How does Spring Boot manage dependency injection behind the scenes?
• How would you find and fix a memory leak in a Java application?
• What’s the difference between JPA and Hibernate?
• What are some ways to improve API response times?
• How can you optimize database performance in real-world systems?

I answered each question by sharing real examples from previous projects — showing how I solved similar problems in real situations. This helped the interviewer understand my practical experience and problem-solving skills.

Round 4: Behavioral and Leadership Interview

In this round, the focus shifted from technical skills to leadership and team management — something that’s just as important for a Software Architect.

Some of the questions they asked:

• Tell me about a time you worked on a high-pressure project.
• How do you mentor junior developers?
• How do you handle conflicts within your team?
• What’s your approach to code reviews?

I talked about the importance of clear communication, team collaboration and thoughtful decision making. I also shared instances where I supported my team, helped them grow and ensured smooth delivery of the project. I made sure that my answers reflected the company’s values and team culture.

Final Round: Discussion with the Hiring Manager

This round was more about adapting to the culture and understanding the expectations. I had a conversation with the Director of Engineering where the focus was on how I think, work and align with the goals of the company.

what happened during that round:

• Understanding Business Needs: I explained how my technical skills could help solve real business problems and support their growth.
• Innovation & Problem Solving: I shared examples of how I have identified bottlenecks early and taken the lead to fix them.
• Long-Term Thinking: I talked about my passion for improving system architecture over time and making things more efficient and future-ready.

This round was more about mindset and vision — and it helped both sides see if we were a good match.

A few days later, I got the best news — I received the offer letter! 

What Helped Me Succeed?

• Strong technical knowledge in Java and system design
• Real-world problem-solving experience
• Clear and confident communication
• A balance of technical thinking and business understanding

Tips for Anyone Preparing for a Software Architect Interview

• Master Java Basics: Be confident with Java, Spring Boot, and how to write efficient, high-performance code.
• Practice System Design: Get comfortable designing scalable and distributed systems — these are key to the role.
• Sharpen Problem-Solving Skills:Practice on platforms like LeetCode, Codeforces, or any site that challenges your thinking.
• Grow as a Leader: Be ready to talk about team management, mentoring, and handling real-world project challenges.
• Understand the Cloud: Knowledge of AWS, Kubernetes, and DevOps tools gives you a strong edge.

Conclusion

My journey to becoming a Java Software Architect was full of learning, challenges, and personal growth. The interview process tested more than just my coding skills — it also evaluated how I think as a leader and how I make big-picture decisions.

If you are preparing for a similar role, remember Master the technical side, but Don’t ignore leadership, communication, and system-level thinking.

I hope that sharing my experience will give you some clarity and inspiration on your path.

Best wishes for your interview — you’ve got it!