Software Engineer Interview Experience - San Diego, California
Process
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 weeks.
There were two or more phone screens, then an online coding test, followed by a 4 to 6-hour in-person interview. The format included a panel interview followed by one-on-ones. The panel and one-on-ones were fine. The people were great and very talented. Problems occurred on the final interview section with the CEO. His behavior led to what I can only describe as the most offensive interview I have ever encountered in my entire life. The questions were personal and offensive. He had obviously made his mind up prior to meeting me, and just went for the most offensive questions and probings, perhaps for fun or perhaps for other reasons.
The CEO said, "When people get older, they tend to slow down. I prefer my people to be able to work 12 to 16 hours a day." That statement is seared into my mind because it was so offensive. After that zinger, he basically chucked me out. If you look at the employee profiles, nobody looks over 30, and none look married.
Questions
CEO: "When people get older, they tend to slow down. I prefer my people to be able to work 12 to 16 hours a day."
1 answer
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 5 interview experiences for the Shield AI Software Engineer role in San Diego, California.
Success Rate
Shield AI's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in San Diego, California is on the easier side as most engineers get an offer after going through it.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having good feelings for Shield AI's Software Engineer interview process in San Diego, California.
Shield AI Work Experiences
- 5.0Inspiring to work with smart, ambitious, and friendly people!Software Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Diego, CASeptember 22, 2018Pros: * Everyone here works hard, and you see it based on their actions and results. That includes executive leadership, business team, and engineering. This is very motivating to see. * Amazing work culture and ethics. * Company mission in protecting lives through technology and AI is inspiring. * Young startup company, but very organized and follows best practices. We have organized processes such as Sprints, CI/CD, code review process, etc. * Get to work with some really cool and state of the art technology. You are free to be innovative and creative. * Very friendly environment. Work with a bunch of smart people with no egos. People are also accountable for their actions and everyone always helps each other. * Company paid lunches.Cons: * Commuting to Downtown San Diego, depending on where you live * Company is growing, which means office space is getting limited. * As is true for any startup, work hours can be long. Want to emphasize though that this isn't a requirement. I've observed that people work long and hard here because "they want to", not because "they have to". You are not forced to work long hours. People are still able to enjoy their lives and hobbies. * Not your typical engineering company where most engineers come in at 10am. Most, if not everyone, are already in the office by 8am.
- 3.0Low Pay, Hard Work, Great CultureSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Diego, CAJuly 5, 2021Pros: Great People, Great Culture. This is a typical startup environment where if you believe in the mission.Cons: Work-life balance is terrible. Long hours are praised despite regard for actual output. Poor communication between IC level and upper management. Low salary.
- 4.0Growing company with smart people, but very demandingSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Diego, CAAugust 22, 2026Pros: It is a growing company with smart people and more.Cons: It was very demanding, hard, and had long hours.
