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      Senior Software Engineer Interview

      15 Oct 2014
      Anonymous interview candidate
      No offer
      Neutral experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Tesla in Sept 2014

      Interview

      Applied through website. Got contacted fairly quickly by HR and a week later by the hiring manager. Phone interview went great. Was called in for an on-site interview. The first group went fine, the second person was clearly not prepared or had no interview experience because his questions were vague and he did not seem to have a goal in mind. The third group was something special... it consisted of the most senior engineer and the hiring manager. The engineer came in with an attitude. He asked me a question about a project I worked on and then claimed that the technology I used for that project did not exist. What do you say to that? I used it for over three years with success and he flat-out denied that it existed. I tried to remain polite, but was stunned and could not do much more than explain to him that it really did exist. Then, after reading a two-sentence project description of a different project he concluded that my design for that project was completely wrong... Again, I tried to explain, but I felt like I was talking to a six-year old. The worst part was that the hiring manager just sat there and let it happen. I looked at him for any reaction or help, but it was clear he was afraid to disagree with his engineer. So, here we have an anti-social, arrogant engineering lead and his weak department manager, which is a recipe for disaster. Within ten minutes I lost all interest in the position. The engineer then proceeded to ask obscure questions involving a lot of syntax and nit-pick every little mistake. By this time I could not care less, so I stopped even trying. Still, I would not call the entire experience negative. I talked to some very friendly people and all follow-ups were prompt and professional. I won't let one (or two) bad apples spoil it and I would consider applying for a position in a different department (because the one I interviewed for is going to be in deep trouble). Tips for the company: Give your people interview training. I have interviewed a lot of engineers over the years and I have my routine down pat. Secondly, questions that can be answered by a 5 second Google search are terrible interview questions and teach you nothing about the candidate. Thirdly, fire your lead before it is too late. Finally, if you demand perfect syntax during an interview, you should probably leave the interviewing to someone else.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Unexpected question: "Write a class."... Uhm, excuse me? After asking for more details it was all the direction I was going to get... so I wrote a class declaration.. Bizarre.
      Answer question
      21

      Other Senior Software Engineer interview reviews for Tesla

      Senior Software Engineer Interview

      31 Mar 2026
      Anonymous interview candidate
      No offer
      Positive experience
      Difficult interview

      Application

      I interviewed at Tesla

      Interview

      Tesla software engineer interview process includes recruiter screening, technical coding rounds, system design discussion, problem solving, and behavioral interviews assessing culture fit, innovation mindset, and ability to work in fast paced, high impact engineering teams.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Whats your motivation to join?
      Answer question

      Senior Software Engineer Interview

      2 May 2026
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Bellevue, WA
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I applied online. I interviewed at Tesla (Bellevue, WA) in Mar 2026

      Interview

      I applied online, and a recruiter reached out to me. We had a regular recruiter screening interview. Moved to online phone screen. They will start with intros on both ends and ask about a project in detail. I explained my project in detail, but the interviewer didn't feel it was very challenging. Well, can't do much about it. Then went for a system design question. I explained till deep dive, and then the time was over. The last 5 minutes were spent asking any questions I had. I feel 20 min is way too little to design and discuss system design. But that's how their process is. I felt the interviewer was condescending.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Explain your best project in granular detail Design Ticketmaster
      Answer question

      Senior Software Engineer Interview

      17 Oct 2025
      Anonymous interview candidate
      No offer
      Neutral experience
      Difficult interview

      Application

      I interviewed at Tesla

      Interview

      Tricky with lots of technical questions would recommend knowing your stuff. Microprocessors were repeatedly talked about as well so worthwhile knowing what they are and now I’m trying to reach thirty words

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      What’s your name and tell us about yourself
      1 Answer