Principal Engineer Interview Experience - United States
November 29, 2018
Neutral ExperienceGot Offer
Process
Recruited through a referral.
Skyped with the recruiter.
Went through a phone interview and then had a face-to-face with the recruiter.
After a week, I had an interview with the Director.
It was a very complex interview process, with five rounds.
Questions
Tell us about the company.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 1 interview experience for the Apple Principal Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
0%
Pass Rate
Apple's interview process for their Principal Engineer roles in the United States is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive0%
Neutral100%
Negative0%
Candidates reported having mixed feelings for Apple's Principal Engineer interview process in United States.
Apple Work Experiences
4.0
Great innovative place to work, but long hours and too much down management
Principal Engineer • Former Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
September 19, 2025
Pros: Interesting things to do all the time and a lot of flexibility in how you achieve your goals. Can get any information you want from sub-cons. Apple does not lay off people because it does not hire too many (pros and cons to this). Your colleagues are usually very motivated and technically good.
Cons: As time went on, EPMs have taken over and drive unrealistic schedules. I spent a lot of time fighting back and having to explain every 3 months why, engineering-wise, things are not possible without additional resources. But since Apple does not hire lots of people, you are spending long hours. It is very difficult to move up in engineering if you are in small divisions.
4.0
Stable Job, Solid Hierarchy
Principal Engineer • Current Employee
March 31, 2022
Pros: Stable job, reasonable pay, easy to get paid holidays.
Cons: Hierarchy is solid, and there are silos.
5.0
Outdoor Food, Bathroom Issues
Principal Engineer • Current Employee
San Diego, California, United States
December 2, 2021
Pros: Get to work outside.
All you can eat.
Cons: Sometimes pest issues, sometimes no formal bathroom onsite.
- 4.0Great innovative place to work, but long hours and too much down managementPrincipal Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesSeptember 19, 2025Pros: Interesting things to do all the time and a lot of flexibility in how you achieve your goals. Can get any information you want from sub-cons. Apple does not lay off people because it does not hire too many (pros and cons to this). Your colleagues are usually very motivated and technically good.Cons: As time went on, EPMs have taken over and drive unrealistic schedules. I spent a lot of time fighting back and having to explain every 3 months why, engineering-wise, things are not possible without additional resources. But since Apple does not hire lots of people, you are spending long hours. It is very difficult to move up in engineering if you are in small divisions.
- 4.0Stable Job, Solid HierarchyPrincipal Engineer • Current EmployeeMarch 31, 2022Pros: Stable job, reasonable pay, easy to get paid holidays.Cons: Hierarchy is solid, and there are silos.
- 5.0Outdoor Food, Bathroom IssuesPrincipal Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Diego, California, United StatesDecember 2, 2021Pros: Get to work outside. All you can eat.Cons: Sometimes pest issues, sometimes no formal bathroom onsite.
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