30+ Senior Architect Interview Questions and Answers

Cladding materials are used to cover the exterior of a building. Common types include metal, wood, stone, and brick.

• Metal cladding is durable and low maintenance, often used in modern buildings

• Wood cladding provides a natural look and is often used in residential buildings

• Stone cladding is heavy and expensive, but provides a high-end look and is often used in commercial buildings

• Brick cladding is versatile and can be used in a variety of building types

• The choice of cladding m...read more

To increase server performance for a million connections per sec, we can optimize hardware, use load balancing, and implement caching.

• Optimize hardware by upgrading RAM, CPU, and network interface cards

• Use load balancing to distribute traffic across multiple servers

• Implement caching to reduce server load and improve response time

• Use a content delivery network (CDN) to serve static content

• Use compression to reduce the size of data transmitted over the network

The technical method to budget manhours for a project work involves breaking down the project into tasks and estimating the time required for each task.

• Break down the project into smaller tasks

• Estimate the time required for each task

• Consider the complexity of each task

• Factor in any dependencies between tasks

• Allocate resources based on the estimated time for each task

• Track actual time spent on each task and adjust the budget as necessary

Hands-on experience refers to practical experience gained by actively working on projects or tasks related to a specific field or technology.

• Hands-on experience in microservice design pattern involves actually implementing and deploying microservices in a real-world project.

• Hands-on experience in security includes actively working on implementing security measures such as encryption, authentication, and authorization in applications.

• AWS services commonly used in microservices...read more

Design a lift system for an office building with multiple lifts and floors.

• Determine the number of lifts required based on the building size and occupancy.

• Consider the traffic flow and peak hours to determine the lift capacity.

• Install a control system to manage the lift operation and reduce waiting time.

• Ensure safety features such as emergency brakes, backup power supply, and fire alarms.

• Provide clear signage and instructions for users to navigate the lift system.

• Regular main...read more

Factors considered for solution design include requirements, constraints, technology, scalability, security, and budget.

• Requirements of the project

• Constraints such as time, resources, and technology limitations

• Technology stack and tools available

• Scalability of the solution

• Security measures to be implemented

• Budget constraints and cost-effectiveness

The size of routing table is determined by the number of network prefixes and the number of routes.

• The size of routing table is directly proportional to the number of network prefixes and the number of routes.

• The size of routing table can be estimated by analyzing the number of unique IP addresses and the number of routing protocols used.

• The size of routing table can be reduced by summarizing routes and using route aggregation.

• The size of routing table can also be affected by...read more

I use a variety of software for 3D designing, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Rhino.

• AutoCAD is a widely used software for architectural design and drafting.

• Revit is a BIM (Building Information Modeling) software that allows for 3D modeling and collaboration.

• SketchUp is a user-friendly software for creating 3D models and visualizations.

• Rhino is a versatile 3D modeling software used for complex designs and organic shapes.

Total built up area can be calculated by summing the area of all floors in a building. Minimum setback for a high rise building project varies based on local regulations and building codes.

• Total built up area is calculated by summing the area of all floors in a building, including common areas like lobbies and corridors.

• Minimum setback for a high rise building project is determined by local regulations and building codes to ensure safety, aesthetics, and functionality.

• For exa...read more

Parameters considered while designing a system

• Functional requirements

• Performance requirements

• Scalability

• Security

• Maintainability

• Cost

• User experience

• Integration with existing systems

I approach data strategy by understanding business goals, identifying data sources, and creating a plan for data collection, storage, and analysis.

• Understand business goals and objectives

• Identify relevant data sources

• Create a plan for data collection, storage, and analysis

• Ensure data quality and security

• Leverage technology and tools to support data strategy

• Continuously monitor and evaluate data strategy for effectiveness

A data platform is designed by identifying business requirements, selecting appropriate technologies, and creating a scalable architecture.

• Identify business requirements and data sources

• Select appropriate technologies for storage, processing, and analysis

• Create a scalable architecture that can handle current and future needs

• Ensure data security and privacy

• Implement data governance and management policies

• Test and validate the platform before deployment

Scaling an e-commerce application involves optimizing performance, increasing capacity, and ensuring reliability.

• Utilize cloud services for scalability and flexibility

• Implement caching mechanisms to reduce load on servers

• Use load balancing to distribute traffic evenly across servers

• Optimize database queries and indexes for faster retrieval

• Monitor performance metrics and adjust resources accordingly

Distributed transactions are handled using two-phase commit protocol and distributed locking mechanisms.

• Use two-phase commit protocol to ensure atomicity across multiple databases.

• Implement distributed locking mechanisms to maintain consistency.

• Consider using compensating transactions to handle failures and rollbacks.

• Use messaging queues for communication between distributed components.

The best blockwork for wet areas is typically concrete blocks or autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks.

• Concrete blocks are durable and water-resistant, making them ideal for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

• Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks are lightweight and have good thermal insulation properties, making them suitable for wet areas.

• Both types of blockwork can be easily cut and shaped to fit specific design requirements in wet areas.

I will design the data models by analyzing the requirements, identifying entities and relationships, creating entity-relationship diagrams, and normalizing the data.

• Analyze the requirements to understand the data needs

• Identify entities and their relationships

• Create entity-relationship diagrams to visualize the structure

• Normalize the data to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency

I am expecting the designation of Senior Architect.

• I have extensive experience in architectural design and project management.

• I have successfully led multiple architectural projects from concept to completion.

• I possess strong technical skills in AutoCAD, Revit, and other architectural software.

• I am confident in my ability to mentor and guide junior architects in the team.

OAuth and Open ID Connect are protocols used for authentication and authorization in web applications.

• OAuth is used for authorization, allowing a user to grant access to their resources without sharing their credentials.

• Open ID Connect is an authentication layer on top of OAuth, providing user authentication and information about the user.

• OAuth 2.0 is commonly used for API authorization, while Open ID Connect is used for user authentication in single sign-on scenarios.

Multi-cloud strategy involves using multiple cloud services from different providers to optimize performance, cost, and reliability.

• Multi-cloud strategy involves using a combination of public, private, and hybrid clouds to meet specific business needs.

• It allows organizations to avoid vendor lock-in, improve redundancy, and enhance disaster recovery capabilities.

• Examples of multi-cloud solutions include using AWS for storage, Azure for computing, and Google Cloud for machine l...read more

I have extensive experience in designing and managing industrial architecture projects.

• Designed and managed construction of a 100,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility for XYZ Company

• Expertise in creating efficient layouts for production lines and optimizing workflow

• Experience in incorporating sustainable and energy-efficient design elements in industrial buildings

• Familiarity with building codes and regulations specific to industrial architecture

• Collaborated with engineers and c...read more

Splint can be integrated with Eventhub for real-time data processing and analysis.

• Splint is a static analysis tool for C and C++ code

• Eventhub is a real-time data streaming platform

• Integration allows for real-time analysis of code quality and security

• Can be used to detect and prevent security vulnerabilities in real-time

Cloud implementation strategy involves planning, designing, and executing the migration of applications and data to cloud infrastructure.

• Assess current infrastructure and applications to determine cloud readiness

• Define goals and objectives for cloud migration

• Select appropriate cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

• Choose cloud provider based on requirements and budget

• Develop migration plan including timeline, resources, and potential risks

• Implement migration in phases to mini...read more

Singleton is a design pattern that restricts the instantiation of a class to one object.

• Singleton pattern ensures that a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it.

• Commonly used in scenarios where only a single instance of a class is needed, such as database connections or logging.

• Implementation can involve static variables, private constructors, and static methods to access the instance.

• Example: Singleton pattern is used in Java's Runtime class t...read more

OSPF states are the different stages a router goes through while establishing and maintaining a neighbor relationship.

• OSPF states include Down, Init, 2-Way, Exstart, Exchange, Loading, and Full

• In the Down state, the router has not yet established a neighbor relationship

• In the Init state, the router has sent a Hello packet but has not received a response

• In the 2-Way state, the router has received a Hello packet from a neighbor

• In the Exstart state, the routers exchange their in...read more

My approach towards solutioning involves understanding the problem, analyzing requirements, designing a solution, and implementing it.

• Understand the problem thoroughly

• Analyze the requirements and constraints

• Design a solution architecture

• Consider scalability, performance, and security

• Implement the solution using appropriate technologies

• Test and validate the solution

• Iterate and improve based on feedback

The architecture is the overall design and structure of a system or application.

• It includes the components, their relationships, and how they interact with each other.

• It determines the system's scalability, performance, and maintainability.

• It can be divided into different layers such as presentation, business logic, and data access.

• Examples include client-server architecture, microservices architecture, and event-driven architecture.

Migration and upgrade involve moving data and systems to a new environment with updated features and functionality.

• Migration involves transferring data, applications, and systems from one environment to another.

• Upgrade involves updating software or hardware to a newer version with enhanced features and capabilities.

• Migration and upgrade processes require careful planning, testing, and implementation to ensure smooth transition and minimal disruption.

• Examples of migration and ...read more

I am open to considering various locations for the role, depending on the opportunities and requirements of the position.

• I am willing to relocate for the right opportunity

• I have experience working in different locations and adapting to new environments

• I am open to discussing potential locations during the interview process

I am currently located in New York City.

• New York City is a bustling metropolis with a diverse population.

• The city is known for its iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

• There are numerous architectural firms and opportunities for senior architects in NYC.