Process
I applied online.
Had the first 15-minute phone call. Interviewer was cold and a little pretentious. Asked a bunch of hard questions, then ended the convo early (I think I wasn't answering very well). I'm a new grad and that's very clear from my resume and my application, so not quite sure why I was getting those questions. Didn't make it to the next round.
Questions
Describe how async works in Python.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 3 interview experiences for the xAI Exceptional Software Engineer role.
Success Rate
0%
Pass Rate
xAI's interview process for their Exceptional Software Engineer roles is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive0%
Neutral33%
Negative67%
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for xAI's Exceptional Software Engineer interview process.
xAI Work Experiences
5.0
Good Company, Good Culture
Remote AI Trainer • Former Employee
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
October 26, 2025
Pros: Great culture where it's easy to focus on your work and not have to worry about anything else.
Cons: It's owned by Elon Musk.
1.0
Only IPO AI company worth it, but poor culture
Senior Software Engineer • Current Employee
Palo Alto, CA
August 6, 2026
Pros: Working on tech that lands in space
Cons: - The work culture is as bad as you would expect.
1.0
Good at Copying OpenAI, No Idea How to Innovate
Engineer • Former Employee
September 24, 2025
Pros: The company has a lot of visibility in the market. People will recognize it on your resume as a Musk company, and that can be a good thing.
Cons: Disorganized 20-somethings breaking things and moving fast. No direction from the top. What this amounts to is a lot of chaos and nothing getting done. They hire people who are impossible to manage. Got sick of nothing getting done, so I left.
- 5.0Good Company, Good CultureRemote AI Trainer • Former EmployeeBoston, Massachusetts, United StatesOctober 26, 2025Pros: Great culture where it's easy to focus on your work and not have to worry about anything else.Cons: It's owned by Elon Musk.
- 1.0Only IPO AI company worth it, but poor cultureSenior Software Engineer • Current EmployeePalo Alto, CAAugust 6, 2026Pros: Working on tech that lands in spaceCons: - The work culture is as bad as you would expect.
- 1.0Good at Copying OpenAI, No Idea How to InnovateEngineer • Former EmployeeSeptember 24, 2025Pros: The company has a lot of visibility in the market. People will recognize it on your resume as a Musk company, and that can be a good thing.Cons: Disorganized 20-somethings breaking things and moving fast. No direction from the top. What this amounts to is a lot of chaos and nothing getting done. They hire people who are impossible to manage. Got sick of nothing getting done, so I left.
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