Software Engineer Interview Experience - Santa Clara, California
April 1, 2022
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
1 phone interview, 4 virtual onsite interviews over 2 days:
- 1 domain knowledge - easy
- 1 system design - easy
- 2 coding questions - medium LeetCode
Questions
It was about designing an ETL pipeline dealing with a lot of data.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 12 interview experiences for the Palo Alto Networks Software Engineer role in Santa Clara, California.
Success Rate
25%
Pass Rate
Palo Alto Networks's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Santa Clara, California is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive33%
Neutral25%
Negative42%
Candidates reported having mixed feelings for Palo Alto Networks's Software Engineer interview process in Santa Clara, California.
Palo Alto Networks Work Experiences
3.0
Not the best, not the worst
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Santa Clara, California, United States
June 18, 2025
Pros: - Good pay, although low compared to other big tech.
- Decent benefits.
- Solving problems at scale with a massive client base.
- Good stock appreciation.
Cons: - Terrible 401k match.
- Poor raises, even with promotion.
- Very political environment.
- Mostly non-technical engineering leadership (from VP level and higher).
- Strong "yes man" culture in leadership.
- Heavily enforced RTO policy.
- Clear disdain for engineers from senior leadership; they can't wait to replace us with AI.
- Poor diversity in hiring.
3.0
Not a bad place to work, but not a particularly exciting one either
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Santa Clara, California, United States
January 14, 2025
Pros: Solid pay and reasonable work hours.
Cons: Poor code quality and disorganization.
Not a very innovative company.
4.0
Full-time new grad
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Santa Clara, California, United States
August 5, 2024
Pros: Good work culture.
Good benefits.
Cons: Poor pay.
Management is okay.
- 3.0Not the best, not the worstSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSanta Clara, California, United StatesJune 18, 2025Pros: - Good pay, although low compared to other big tech. - Decent benefits. - Solving problems at scale with a massive client base. - Good stock appreciation.Cons: - Terrible 401k match. - Poor raises, even with promotion. - Very political environment. - Mostly non-technical engineering leadership (from VP level and higher). - Strong "yes man" culture in leadership. - Heavily enforced RTO policy. - Clear disdain for engineers from senior leadership; they can't wait to replace us with AI. - Poor diversity in hiring.
- 3.0Not a bad place to work, but not a particularly exciting one eitherSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSanta Clara, California, United StatesJanuary 14, 2025Pros: Solid pay and reasonable work hours.Cons: Poor code quality and disorganization. Not a very innovative company.
- 4.0Full-time new gradSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSanta Clara, California, United StatesAugust 5, 2024Pros: Good work culture. Good benefits.Cons: Poor pay. Management is okay.
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