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NerdLevelTech
IntermediatePremium · 500 credits

Backend Engineer Interviews: Databases, APIs & Distributed Systems Mastery

Ace backend engineering interviews at Meta, Google, Amazon, Uber & top tech companies. Master database design & SQL optimization, API patterns (REST, gRPC, GraphQL), distributed systems (consensus, sharding, replication), concurrency & multithreading, and backend system design. Includes hands-on labs. Prepare for L4-L6 backend roles at every level from mid to staff.

179 min18 lessons6 modulesCareer

What you'll learn

  • Design and optimize database schemas including indexing strategies, query optimization, and sharding approaches
  • Architect RESTful APIs, gRPC services, and GraphQL endpoints with proper authentication, versioning, and rate limiting
  • Solve backend system design problems including URL shortener, rate limiter, message queue, and notification service
  • Reason about distributed systems concepts including consensus algorithms, replication, partitioning, and consistency models
  • Navigate behavioral rounds and negotiate competitive backend engineering compensation packages

What's included

Video Lessons
—
Interactive Exercises
Included
Charts & Infographics
—
Quizzes
6
Certificate
Included

Course Content

  1. The Backend Interview Landscape

    3 lessons · 11 min

  2. Database Design & SQL Mastery

    3 lessons · 14 min
    • Locked until you enrollSchema Design & Normalization5 min
    • Locked until you enrollIndexing, Query Optimization & Transactions5 min
    • Locked until you enrollNoSQL: When to Choose What4 min
    • Quiz: Module 2 Quiz: Database Design & SQL Mastery
    • Lab: Database Design Challenge: Ride-Sharing Platform3 free attempts25 min

  3. API Design & Microservices Patterns

    3 lessons · 14 min
    • Locked until you enrollRESTful API Design Best Practices5 min
    • Locked until you enrollgRPC and GraphQL4 min
    • Locked until you enrollMicroservices Architecture Patterns5 min
    • Quiz: Module 3 Quiz: API Design & Microservices Patterns
    • Lab: Design a Payment API3 free attempts25 min

  4. Backend System Design

    3 lessons · 15 min
    • Locked until you enrollSystem Design Framework & Building Blocks5 min
    • Locked until you enrollClassic Backend Design Problems5 min
    • Locked until you enrollScaling Patterns & Data Infrastructure5 min
    • Quiz: Module 4 Quiz: Backend System Design
    • Lab: Design a URL Shortener Service3 free attempts25 min

  5. Distributed Systems & Reliability

    3 lessons · 14 min
    • Locked until you enrollConsistency, Availability & Consensus5 min
    • Locked until you enrollConcurrency & Multithreading5 min
    • Locked until you enrollReliability & Observability4 min
    • Quiz: Module 5 Quiz: Distributed Systems & Reliability
    • Lab: Concurrent Task Scheduler3 free attempts25 min

  6. Behavioral Rounds & Negotiation

    3 lessons · 11 min
    • Locked until you enrollBackend-Specific Behavioral Questions4 min
    • Locked until you enrollTechnical Communication & Architecture Reviews3 min
    • Locked until you enrollSalary Negotiation & Career Growth4 min
    • Quiz: Module 6 Quiz: Behavioral Rounds & Negotiation