Verkada Inc.·Frontend Engineer·Onsite - Coding / Algorithms·Intermediate

IntermediatePrefer not to say

Jun 2026

Summary

Verkada's frontend onsite was basically a build-it-from-a-Figma exercise, about a week after the recruiter call. The component they asked me to implement looked a lot like something from their actual product, which was a bit intimidating. CSS layout knowledge was clearly the whole point of the round.

Questions Asked (1)

Implement a React component that matches a provided Figma design, closely replicating the company's actual product UI with accurate CSS layout.

Technical Trade-offsSystem Design

Author's notes

The Figma mockup looked like a real screen from their product, not some generic card component.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by breaking down the Figma design into a component hierarchy and identifying reusable pieces. Then implement the layout using modern CSS (Flexbox/Grid) with a mobile-first, responsive approach, and finally refine spacing, typography, and interactions to match the design pixel-perfectly. Throughout, explain your trade-offs between fidelity, performance, and maintainability.

Pro tip: Before coding, ask clarifying questions about responsiveness, browser support, and whether the design is static or interactive—this shows you think like a product engineer, not just a coder. Also, mention using CSS variables or a design token system to keep styles consistent and scalable.

1. Analyze the design and plan component structure

Break the Figma design into logical components (e.g., header, card, button) and identify reusable elements. Consider how the layout will adapt to different screen sizes and what CSS techniques (Flexbox, Grid, positioning) best fit each section.

2. Set up the component skeleton and layout

Create the React component structure with placeholder content, then implement the overall layout using CSS Grid or Flexbox. Focus on getting the major regions positioned correctly before styling details.

3. Style with precision using modern CSS

Apply typography, colors, spacing, and borders according to the design. Use relative units (rem, em, %) for scalability, and leverage CSS variables for consistent theming. Ensure the layout is responsive by testing at different breakpoints.

4. Add interactivity and handle edge cases

Implement any interactive states (hover, focus, active) and ensure accessibility (ARIA labels, keyboard navigation). Consider edge cases like long text, empty states, or loading indicators if relevant.

5. Review, refactor, and explain trade-offs

Compare your implementation with the design, refine details, and refactor for reusability. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs you made (e.g., using a library vs. custom CSS, performance vs. pixel-perfection).

Key Points to Mention

Component decomposition and reusability
Responsive design with Flexbox/Grid and media queries
CSS architecture (BEM, CSS Modules, styled-components) and maintainability
Accessibility (semantic HTML, ARIA, keyboard navigation)
Performance considerations (avoiding layout thrashing, minimizing re-renders)
Trade-offs between pixel-perfect fidelity and practical constraints (time, browser support)

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