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Airbnb·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

IntermediatePass
Jul 2026

Summary

First round technical screen for an iOS Engineer role at Airbnb. Pretty straightforward, one math-based UI layout problem with a follow-up that added a layer of complexity. Passed and got the notification about a week later.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Given a UI view layout problem, write the code to implement the layout. Then, if that view is nested inside a relative container, how would you modify your solution?

Technical Trade-offsSystem Design
Author's notes

The base question was fine, I had something working pretty quickly.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the layout requirements and constraints, then outline a solution using a modern layout system like Flexbox or Grid. For the nested case, explain how the relative container affects positioning and how to adjust the code to maintain the desired layout.

Pro tip: Demonstrate awareness of real-world constraints like responsiveness and performance, and mention how you would test the layout across different screen sizes and devices.

1. Clarify Requirements

Ask questions to understand the exact layout, dimensions, content, and any constraints like responsiveness or browser support.

2. Choose Layout Approach

Select an appropriate layout technique (e.g., Flexbox, Grid, absolute positioning) based on the requirements and justify your choice.

3. Implement Initial Layout

Write clean, semantic HTML and CSS to achieve the layout, using best practices and commenting on key decisions.

4. Adapt for Nested Relative Container

Explain how the relative container changes the positioning context and modify the code accordingly, ensuring the layout remains correct.

5. Test and Validate

Describe how you would test the layout for responsiveness, cross-browser compatibility, and edge cases, and iterate if needed.

Key Points to Mention

  • Use of Flexbox or CSS Grid for modern, responsive layouts
  • Understanding of positioning schemes: static, relative, absolute, fixed, sticky
  • How relative positioning creates a containing block for absolutely positioned children
  • Impact of nesting on layout: inheritance, stacking context, and z-index
  • Considerations for responsiveness and different screen sizes
  • Performance implications of layout choices (e.g., reflows)

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.