Software Engineer Interview Experience - Milpitas, California
January 1, 2016
Positive ExperienceGot Offer
Process
Referred by friends.
It took one month to start the phone interview, which covered basic programming questions and GDB.
The onsite interview was with five people the following Monday and included many questions about linked lists and OS.
Questions
Write code to reverse a linked list.
Tell the difference between malloc and calloc.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 11 interview experiences for the Cisco Software Engineer role in Milpitas, California.
Success Rate
64%
Pass Rate
Cisco's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Milpitas, California is on the easier side as most engineers get an offer after going through it.
Experience Rating
Positive64%
Neutral18%
Negative18%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Cisco's Software Engineer interview process in Milpitas, California.
Cisco Work Experiences
2.0
Good for entry level and to gain experience
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Milpitas, California, United States
November 9, 2025
Pros: It is good to join at an entry level when you have nothing. You will get access to a whole range of development tools and environments.
There are very good technical mentors as well. The campus is beautiful.
There are good opportunities to network and move internally.
Cons: In my first team, which probably did not generate much revenue, my pay was horrendous, but WLB was good.
Switched to another team after a few years.
Revenue-generating team, but my pay remained horrendous. The WLB is like working for Big Tech (too many tasks where you have a lot to work but no time to improve your learning curve), and no recognition whatsoever. Extremely deluded people are running the show in terms of people management.
5.0
Talented people to work with
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Milpitas, California, United States
October 30, 2025
Pros: Talented people who know the ins and outs of internet technologies.
Work-life balance.
Awesome fitness facilities.
Cons: Frequent layoffs.
Lesser salary compared to other Bay Area companies.
5.0
Chill place to work
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Milpitas, California, United States
September 25, 2025
Pros: Great work-life balance and benefits.
Unlimited PTO.
Cons: Slow moving, everybody is very laidback.
- 2.0Good for entry level and to gain experienceSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMilpitas, California, United StatesNovember 9, 2025Pros: It is good to join at an entry level when you have nothing. You will get access to a whole range of development tools and environments. There are very good technical mentors as well. The campus is beautiful. There are good opportunities to network and move internally.Cons: In my first team, which probably did not generate much revenue, my pay was horrendous, but WLB was good. Switched to another team after a few years. Revenue-generating team, but my pay remained horrendous. The WLB is like working for Big Tech (too many tasks where you have a lot to work but no time to improve your learning curve), and no recognition whatsoever. Extremely deluded people are running the show in terms of people management.
- 5.0Talented people to work withSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMilpitas, California, United StatesOctober 30, 2025Pros: Talented people who know the ins and outs of internet technologies. Work-life balance. Awesome fitness facilities.Cons: Frequent layoffs. Lesser salary compared to other Bay Area companies.
- 5.0Chill place to workSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMilpitas, California, United StatesSeptember 25, 2025Pros: Great work-life balance and benefits. Unlimited PTO.Cons: Slow moving, everybody is very laidback.
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