Software Engineer Interview Experience - Palo Alto, California
August 1, 2017
Negative ExperienceNo Offer
Process
Talk with a recruiter, then an offline coding task.
They gave me ample time to complete the coding task offline. Yet, I got a rather rude response that I don't know how to code (I have 10+ years of C++, so that's debatable).
Questions
Write a command-line program to evaluate a set of equations.
Like:
a = b + 4 b = c + d d = 4 c = 3 + 2
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 40 interview experiences for the Tesla Software Engineer role in Palo Alto, California.
Success Rate
8%
Pass Rate
Tesla's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Palo Alto, California is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive48%
Neutral40%
Negative13%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Tesla's Software Engineer interview process in Palo Alto, California.
Tesla Work Experiences
5.0
Interesting Work, Long Hours
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Palo Alto, California, United States
August 28, 2024
Pros: The autopilot team works on some of the most interesting problems, and you get a lot of ownership.
Cons: Long hours sometimes before releases.
1.0
Extremely high-pressure engineering environment
Software Engineer • Former Employee
Palo Alto, California, United States
July 19, 2016
Pros: It can be fun to drive engineering prototypes.
Cons: Extremely high pressure environment, unrealistic deadlines, and long hours (9-6:30 every weekday plus an expectation to drive engineering cars on weekends and file bug reports) led to a complete burnout and mental breakdown for me. More than one engineer left my team every month on average.
4.0
Great place to work as a software engineer
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Palo Alto, California, United States
April 11, 2018
Pros: As a software engineer at Tesla, you're constantly pushing code. If you're looking for bureaucracy (and I highly doubt that you are as an SE), then Tesla isn't the place for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy working fast and getting stuff done, then you'll definitely love it here.
Cons: The company benefits aren't that great, especially in comparison to other tech companies in the Bay Area.
- 5.0Interesting Work, Long HoursSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeePalo Alto, California, United StatesAugust 28, 2024Pros: The autopilot team works on some of the most interesting problems, and you get a lot of ownership.Cons: Long hours sometimes before releases.
- 1.0Extremely high-pressure engineering environmentSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeePalo Alto, California, United StatesJuly 19, 2016Pros: It can be fun to drive engineering prototypes.Cons: Extremely high pressure environment, unrealistic deadlines, and long hours (9-6:30 every weekday plus an expectation to drive engineering cars on weekends and file bug reports) led to a complete burnout and mental breakdown for me. More than one engineer left my team every month on average.
- 4.0Great place to work as a software engineerSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeePalo Alto, California, United StatesApril 11, 2018Pros: As a software engineer at Tesla, you're constantly pushing code. If you're looking for bureaucracy (and I highly doubt that you are as an SE), then Tesla isn't the place for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy working fast and getting stuff done, then you'll definitely love it here.Cons: The company benefits aren't that great, especially in comparison to other tech companies in the Bay Area.
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