Software Development Engineer Interview Experience - Redmond, Washington
March 1, 2014
Positive ExperienceGot Offer
Process
I had a phone interview where they generally screened if I was a better fit for SDET, SDE, or PM. After a month, I was told that I got to the next round. They flew me out to Seattle for a Super Day. There, I had four technical interviews.
Questions
There is a pattern in an array (e.g., incrementing by two, Fibonacci numbers, increment by one), but one of the increments in the pattern is wrong. How do you figure out between which two numbers the pattern is different?
Example: [1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12] -- How do you figure out that the pattern fails between the second and third index in the array.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 214 interview experiences for the Microsoft Software Development Engineer role in Redmond, Washington.
Success Rate
45%
Pass Rate
Microsoft's interview process for their Software Development Engineer roles in Redmond, Washington is fairly selective, failing a large portion of engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive75%
Neutral17%
Negative8%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Microsoft's Software Development Engineer interview process in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft Work Experiences
2.0
Good company to gain skills from
Software Development Engineer • Current Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
September 11, 2015
Pros: Lots of different projects to work on, and now it is easier to move around internally. The benefits are really nice. I especially like the ESPP program where we can buy stock at a discounted price, and it matures over 3 months to the full price.
Main campus is also great and is in a good location (close to Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond, all nice areas).
Cons: Management. The company is way too top-heavy. Engineers do not have enough freedom to do their jobs.
The culture that came out of the 1-5 rating system is also pretty bad, where instead of working together, people are trying to "show off" and look better than their peers. While I'm sure this is a problem at any big company, it seems to be worse here due to the old review system culture that stuck, even though that system was thrown out.
5.0
Great Place to Work!
Software Development Engineer • Current Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
September 21, 2015
Pros: I am a new full-time hire here at Microsoft. I previously interned here and have had nothing but a good experience.
Flexible hours so long as you complete your work. Great compensation and benefits. Nice location.
Cons: I have no complaints so far!
5.0
Software Engineer I
Software Development Engineer • Current Employee
Redmond, Washington, United States
January 17, 2017
Pros: 50% 401k match.
Free coffee.
Sports memberships.
Laid-back atmosphere.
I would highly recommend this company.
Work-life balance is not only respected, it is encouraged.
My experience has been great.
Cons: I have heard that there are some teams that are not great, although I've never met anyone working for said teams. Everyone I've met likes their team.
You can always switch teams if this is the case.
I wish the free coffee wasn't Starbucks, but some fresh local roasted coffee. Minor gripe.
- 2.0Good company to gain skills fromSoftware Development Engineer • Current EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesSeptember 11, 2015Pros: Lots of different projects to work on, and now it is easier to move around internally. The benefits are really nice. I especially like the ESPP program where we can buy stock at a discounted price, and it matures over 3 months to the full price. Main campus is also great and is in a good location (close to Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond, all nice areas).Cons: Management. The company is way too top-heavy. Engineers do not have enough freedom to do their jobs. The culture that came out of the 1-5 rating system is also pretty bad, where instead of working together, people are trying to "show off" and look better than their peers. While I'm sure this is a problem at any big company, it seems to be worse here due to the old review system culture that stuck, even though that system was thrown out.
- 5.0Great Place to Work!Software Development Engineer • Current EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesSeptember 21, 2015Pros: I am a new full-time hire here at Microsoft. I previously interned here and have had nothing but a good experience. Flexible hours so long as you complete your work. Great compensation and benefits. Nice location.Cons: I have no complaints so far!
- 5.0Software Engineer ISoftware Development Engineer • Current EmployeeRedmond, Washington, United StatesJanuary 17, 2017Pros: 50% 401k match. Free coffee. Sports memberships. Laid-back atmosphere. I would highly recommend this company. Work-life balance is not only respected, it is encouraged. My experience has been great.Cons: I have heard that there are some teams that are not great, although I've never met anyone working for said teams. Everyone I've met likes their team. You can always switch teams if this is the case. I wish the free coffee wasn't Starbucks, but some fresh local roasted coffee. Minor gripe.
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