Software Engineer, Intern, 2024/25 (University Recruiting)

As a Software Engineer Intern at DoorDash, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and shipping technical components that enhance our user experience. You'll work closely with your assigned team to solve real problems, implement coding solutions, and collaborate on exciting projects. This role will allow you to directly impact our business while receiving guidance from mentors and peers in a supportive environment.

To qualify for the Software Engineer Internship at DoorDash, applicants must be pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science or a related field and should be graduating between Fall 2025 and Summer 2026. Candidates should also have experience with databases, a solid grip on algorithms, and proficiency in at least one object-oriented programming language. Previous internship experience in software engineering is advantageous but not required.

While prior work experience can be beneficial, it is not a strict requirement for the Software Engineer Internship at DoorDash. We value passion, potential, and a willingness to learn. If you have been involved in technical projects, hackathons, or relevant coursework, that can showcase your skills and dedication. Intern candidates who have no more than two years of full-time work experience are encouraged to apply.

During your internship at DoorDash, you can expect a dynamic, engaging experience where you'll get to work on meaningful projects while learning from experienced engineers. You'll actively participate in team meetings, receive mentorship, and take part in social events and leadership seminars. Additionally, you will present your project learnings at the end of the internship, allowing you to showcase your contributions.

The Software Engineer Internship at DoorDash offers various benefits, including competitive pay, housing and relocation stipends, and wellness reimbursement programs. You'll have the chance to gain real-world experience, work on innovative projects, and engage with a diverse community. Our focus on employee well-being ensures that you’ll thrive both professionally and personally during your internship.

When answering this question for a Software Engineer Intern role at DoorDash, highlight specific projects where you utilized object-oriented programming principles. Discuss your familiarity with popular languages like Java or Python, showcasing your ability to create efficient, scalable applications through encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Provide examples where applicable.

Describe your systematic approach to problem-solving, starting with clearly defining the problem. Discuss how you analyze requirements, break down complex issues into smaller, manageable parts, and explore various solutions. Emphasize the importance of coding best practices and your experience in debugging and optimizing code.

For this question, emphasize your understanding of common algorithms (like sorting and searching) and fundamental data structures (like arrays, linked lists, and hash maps). Mention how these concepts help you in writing efficient code and improving performance, and offer examples from your coursework or personal projects.

Share a specific project where you encountered obstacles, explaining how you overcame them. Focus on your technical contributions and what you learned in the process. Be sure to display your enthusiasm for innovation and teamwork, which aligns with DoorDash's collaborative environment.

Explain your commitment to writing clean code by discussing practices such as proper variable naming, modularity, and documentation. You can reference coding standards you follow and stress the importance of version control and unit testing in maintaining code quality.

Talk about your experience with databases, specifically the types you've worked with, like SQL or NoSQL databases. Highlight specific instances where you designed schemas, optimized queries, or tackled data-related challenges. Illustrating how you managed data and integrated it into applications will demonstrate your competence.

Express your admiration for DoorDash's innovative approach to logistics and commitment to empowering local economies. Share your excitement about the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and collaborate with diverse teams. This showcases your alignment with the company's mission and values.

Discuss your habits for continuous learning, such as following relevant blogs, participating in tech meetups, or enrolling in online courses. Demonstrating your passion for staying ahead in the tech industry shows your proactive attitude and commitment to professional growth.

When asked about debugging, clarify your process for identifying and resolving bugs. Mention techniques like code review, reading error messages, and utilizing debugging tools. Real examples of situations where you successfully debugged an issue can reinforce your answer.

For this question, provide an overview of REST principles, such as statelessness, CRUD operations, and how APIs facilitate communication between services. You should also mention any experience you have in building or consuming APIs, which aligns well with the responsibilities of a Software Engineer Intern at DoorDash.