I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Tesla (Palo Alto, CA) in Jun 2025
Interview
Started with some recruiter calls and interview rounds with the hiring manager. Talked about my projects and the team and everything went well. For the onsite, they want a 30 minute presentation of your choice.
During the onsite, it is very noticeable that it is a very in-group environment where they prefer to hire people similar to themselves. The coding and questions were not too difficult, but it was obvious they prefer to work with like-minded people.
It is their choice, but this wastes everyones time. I did not believe the bad reputation of Tesla, but I was proven wrong.
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.
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
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