Rubrics
Level Calibration Matrix
SDE 1 → SDE 4 expectations, signals, and red flags for calibrated hiring decisions
SDE 1 (Junior) 0-2 Years
| Dimension | Expected Signal |
|---|---|
| Scope | Executes well-defined tasks within a component |
| Coding | Implements correct solution with guidance; handles happy path |
| Design | N/A (not assessed) |
| Testing | Writes basic unit tests; understands why testing matters |
| Communication | Can explain approach; asks clarifying questions |
| Autonomy | Needs direction on what to build; executes independently once clear |
Strong Hire: Solves Easy in <15min, Medium with hints. Clean code without being told.
Red Flags: Cannot implement basic data structures. Code doesn't compile. Cannot trace through own code.
SDE 2 (Mid-Level) 2-5 Years
| Dimension | Expected Signal |
|---|---|
| Scope | Owns features end-to-end; translates requirements to implementation |
| Coding | Production-quality code; handles edge cases proactively |
| Design (LLD) | Designs classes/interfaces for a single service; SOLID |
| Testing | Comprehensive tests; understands mocking, integration testing |
| Communication | Clearly explains trade-offs; documents decisions |
| Autonomy | Self-directed; breaks down ambiguous problems |
Strong Hire: Solves Medium cleanly in <25min. Proactively discusses edge cases and testability.
Red Flags: Cannot design beyond a single function. No concurrency awareness. No testing attitude.
SDE 3 (Senior) 5-10 Years
| Dimension | Expected Signal |
|---|---|
| Scope | Drives technical direction; cross-team influence |
| Coding | Elegant, maintainable solutions; performance-conscious |
| Design (HLD) | Designs multi-service architectures; infrastructure trade-offs |
| Testing | Defines testing strategy; chaos engineering awareness |
| Communication | Mentors others; writes RFCs; presents to leadership |
| Autonomy | Identifies problems before they're assigned; proposes solutions |
Strong Hire: Designs a complete system with appropriate trade-offs. Demonstrates cross-team collaboration.
Red Flags: Cannot think beyond a single service. No mentoring experience. Avoids discussing failures.
SDE 4 (Staff) 10+ Years
| Dimension | Expected Signal |
|---|---|
| Scope | Organization-wide impact; defines technical strategy |
| Coding | Sets coding standards; reviews critical systems |
| Design | Multi-system architecture; long-term technical vision |
| Testing | Quality culture; production readiness reviews |
| Communication | Influences org direction; external thought leadership |
| Autonomy | Creates the roadmap; unblocks entire teams |