Carta is the dominant cap table and equity management platform — used by 40,000+ private companies and most US venture firms. The interview focuses on financial domain modeling, multi-tenant architecture, and the realities of building software for high-stakes financial workflows.
Process
Recruiter screen → 60-minute coding phone (DSA medium) → onsite virtual: 2 coding, 1 system design, 1 craft deep-dive, 1 behavioral. Cycle: 3–4 weeks.
What they actually ask
- Design a cap table data model that handles dilution, conversions, and historical events
- Design 409A valuation calculations with auditability
- Design an electronic signature workflow with regulatory compliance
- Coding: medium DSA, often with financial calculation framing
- Behavioral: customer focus, navigating regulatory complexity, working with finance domain
Levels and comp (2026)
- SE II: $145K–$180K total
- Senior SE: $215K–$285K
- Staff: $310K–$410K
- Principal: $430K–$570K
Prep priorities
- Be fluent in Python or TypeScript (Carta uses both)
- Understand financial concepts: equity, vesting, options, RSUs
- Brush up on event-sourcing patterns — cap tables are essentially event-sourced
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carta remote-friendly?
Hybrid in San Francisco, NYC, Salt Lake City, others. Some engineering roles remote within US.
How does Carta compare to Pulley?
Carta is the incumbent with broad enterprise traction. Pulley is the upstart with better developer-experience focus. Carta has more scope but slower pace.
What is the financial-engineering domain like?
Detail-oriented, regulation-aware, high-stakes for correctness. Engineers who enjoy financial domain modeling find it rewarding.