Process
Travel was paid for and very easy to schedule. The interview consisted of 3-4 one-on-one interviews with people from different teams within the division. I was asked mainly technical, testing, and software questions. I don't recall being asked any behavioral questions.
Questions
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 46 interview experiences for the Microsoft Hardware Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
22%
Pass Rate
Microsoft's interview process for their Hardware Engineer roles in the United States is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive52%
Neutral43%
Negative4%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Microsoft's Hardware Engineer interview process in United States.
Microsoft Work Experiences
4.0
Culture is changing
Hardware Engineer • Former Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
September 2, 2025
Pros: Good management and a great culture. Friendly people.
Cons: Culture is changing, slow to promote.
5.0
Cash Machine, Brain Drain
Hardware Engineer • Current Employee
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
October 31, 2019
Pros: Cash machine. In its latest quarter, Microsoft generated $4.2 billion in operating cash flows on $20 billion in revenue.
Franchise businesses. Microsoft has a set of blockbuster business segments. They include Windows, Office, the Xbox, and the server division.
The cloud. This is a megatrend in technology.
Cons: Brain drain.
Microsoft has had various departures of top executives.
Lack of focus.
With huge cash flows, Microsoft has been aggressive in investing in new businesses.
Threats.
Cash-cow businesses are always fat targets for competitors.
4.0
Not as great as it used to be
Hardware Engineer • Former Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
August 24, 2015
Pros: It is well known that the benefits are great. I enjoyed working there. The work environment is generally good. I never heard any yelling, and most of the people try to help their coworkers.
Cons: Under the new leadership, jobs are not as secure as they were under Ballmer.
The biggest problem for me was that management did not follow their long-term plans. High-priority projects would be created on the whim of a director. At other times, projects would be eliminated without explanation.
- 4.0Culture is changingHardware Engineer • Former EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesSeptember 2, 2025Pros: Good management and a great culture. Friendly people.Cons: Culture is changing, slow to promote.
- 5.0Cash Machine, Brain DrainHardware Engineer • Current EmployeeAtlanta, Georgia, United StatesOctober 31, 2019Pros: Cash machine. In its latest quarter, Microsoft generated $4.2 billion in operating cash flows on $20 billion in revenue. Franchise businesses. Microsoft has a set of blockbuster business segments. They include Windows, Office, the Xbox, and the server division. The cloud. This is a megatrend in technology.Cons: Brain drain. Microsoft has had various departures of top executives. Lack of focus. With huge cash flows, Microsoft has been aggressive in investing in new businesses. Threats. Cash-cow businesses are always fat targets for competitors.
- 4.0Not as great as it used to beHardware Engineer • Former EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesAugust 24, 2015Pros: It is well known that the benefits are great. I enjoyed working there. The work environment is generally good. I never heard any yelling, and most of the people try to help their coworkers.Cons: Under the new leadership, jobs are not as secure as they were under Ballmer. The biggest problem for me was that management did not follow their long-term plans. High-priority projects would be created on the whim of a director. At other times, projects would be eliminated without explanation.
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