FAQ

Do I need to know Spark to pass a Databricks Lakehouse design interview?
Yes. The DSDR expects concrete references to Spark Structured Streaming, Delta Lake version 2.4, and a throughput target of 5 GB/s. Candidates who mention only “SQL” are rejected.

Will Snowflake penalize me for not discussing real‑time data pipelines?
No. The SDM places higher weight on secure data sharing and pricing accuracy. In the Q2 2024 Snowflake loop, a candidate who omitted streaming still earned a 4 Yes vote.

What compensation can I expect if I get an offer from either company?
Databricks PM offers in 2024 average $185,000 base, 0.07 % equity, $30,000 sign‑on. Snowflake PM offers average $190,000 base, 0.05 % equity, $28,000 sign‑on. Both reflect the differing emphasis on technical depth versus product vision.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWJQ2S3).