Process
Four interviews were conducted:
- Two coding interviews:
- One with a moderate graph problem.
- One with an easy-medium dynamic programming problem.
- The other two rounds focused on Machine Learning and Computer Vision.
- The Machine Learning interview included three parts:
- General machine learning questions (e.g., classification, regression, loss functions, etc.).
- A machine learning design problem.
- Discussion of my own research.
- The Computer Vision round involved discussing domain-specific knowledge, a similar ML design problem, and discussion.
- The Machine Learning interview included three parts:
Questions
What does batch normalization do, and what are its different parameters?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 39 interview experiences for the Waymo Software Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
3%
Pass Rate
Waymo's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in the United States is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive38%
Neutral21%
Negative41%
Candidates reported having mixed feelings for Waymo's Software Engineer interview process in United States.
Waymo Work Experiences
1.0
Famous Brand, Humiliating Culture
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Mountain View, California, United States
December 21, 2018
Pros: Waymo has a famous brand, and part of inspiring the industry.
Cons: Waymo is struggling with growth pains around issues of culture and transparency. I did not meet many strong software engineers here, compared to other, less famous companies I worked for.
That's not surprising given how poorly Waymo treats its employees. At Waymo, like other startups, employees have stock-based compensation. However, here you are not allowed to know what share of the company your stock represents, and the company can take your vested stock away if you leave.
I find workplace conditions here humiliating, and those continue to get worse.
If you join Waymo, expect to get a tiny desk in a hallway on a giant floor packed with hundreds of other desks side-to-side. You'll be surrounded by piles of boxes and yelling people all the time.
People around me are often working sick, so I get constantly exposed to new diseases.
4.0
Cutting-edge Work, Org Changes
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Mountain View, California, United States
September 14, 2024
Pros: - Cutting-edge technology
- Google benefits
- Good work-life balance
Cons: - Org changes as the company grows
4.0
Great place to work
Software Engineer • Former Employee
January 21, 2025
Pros: Free Waymo rides is the best perk ever.
Cons: The research team is mostly remote.
- 1.0Famous Brand, Humiliating CultureSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMountain View, California, United StatesDecember 21, 2018Pros: Waymo has a famous brand, and part of inspiring the industry.Cons: Waymo is struggling with growth pains around issues of culture and transparency. I did not meet many strong software engineers here, compared to other, less famous companies I worked for. That's not surprising given how poorly Waymo treats its employees. At Waymo, like other startups, employees have stock-based compensation. However, here you are not allowed to know what share of the company your stock represents, and the company can take your vested stock away if you leave. I find workplace conditions here humiliating, and those continue to get worse. If you join Waymo, expect to get a tiny desk in a hallway on a giant floor packed with hundreds of other desks side-to-side. You'll be surrounded by piles of boxes and yelling people all the time. People around me are often working sick, so I get constantly exposed to new diseases.
- 4.0Cutting-edge Work, Org ChangesSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMountain View, California, United StatesSeptember 14, 2024Pros: - Cutting-edge technology - Google benefits - Good work-life balanceCons: - Org changes as the company grows
- 4.0Great place to workSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeJanuary 21, 2025Pros: Free Waymo rides is the best perk ever.Cons: The research team is mostly remote.
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