Argo AI Software Engineer Interview Guide

Argo AI is an innovative company at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle industry. Founded with a mission to tackle the complexities of self-driving technology, Argo AI collaborates closely with leading automakers to make self-driving vehicles a reality. The company is based in Pittsburgh with additional offices across the United States.

Interviewing for a Software Engineer position at Argo AI usually involves multiple stages, beginning with a recruiter screening call, followed by technical phone screens and concluding with virtual onsite interviews. Candidates can expect a mix of coding challenges, data structures, system design questions, and behavioral inquiries to assess both technical capabilities and cultural fit. Experience with languages such as Python, C++, and knowledge in related domains like Linux kernels, algorithms, and machine learning can be particularly valuable.

Prepare with this comprehensive guide from Interview Query to navigate the interview process and land your dream job at Argo AI.

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining Argo AI as a Software Engineer. Whether you were contacted by a recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV according to the prerequisites.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Furthermore, don’t forget to highlight relevant skills and mention your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV is selected, a recruiter from the Argo AI Talent Acquisition Team will contact you to verify key details about your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be part of the screening process.

In some cases, the hiring manager may be present during the screening to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

On successfully navigating the recruiter round, you will receive an invitation for the technical screening round. Technical screening for the Software Engineer role at Argo AI is usually conducted via video conference and screen sharing. This 1-hour long interview stage may involve questions around embedded Linux experience, coding questions (such as Leetcode Easy/Medium), and specific domain knowledge required for the position.

Coding challenges will be language-specific (e.g., Python, C++, etc.) based on your role, and can include problems like matrix inversion or nested list iterator. Make sure to brush up on your coding and Linux kernel knowledge.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Following a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the virtual onsite interview loop, consisting of multiple rounds. These interviews can typically be broken down into:

• Technical Round: Multiple coding questions, technical probes specific to domain knowledge such as autonomous vehicle systems, and varying levels of difficulty from data structures/algorithms to system design.
• Behavioral Round: Questions focussed on teamwork, cultural fit, and problem-solving approaches.
• Managerial Round: Discussion on past projects, expectation setting, and fit within the team.

Ensure you prepare for both coding and system design topics (e.g., Trie, backtracking, HashMap, Heap, and React for frontend roles). The whole onsite process will generally span a few hours.

Quick Tips For Argo AI Software Engineer Interviews

Here are a few tips to ace your Argo AI interview based on previous experiences:

• Know Your Fundamentals: Brush up on data structures and algorithms that are frequently utilized within your specific role. The technical questions can be challenging and sometimes obscure.
• Domain Knowledge: Given Argo AI’s focus on self-driving technologies, ensure you are well-versed in relevant topics such as embedded Linux, kernel programming, and machine learning as applied to autonomous systems.
• Stay Professional and Patient: Although the interview process is known to be thorough, always remain professional and patient. Despite occasional delays or communication issues, demonstrating a reliable and respectful demeanor can make a strong impression.

Join Interview Query

Typically, interviews at Argo AI vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• What metrics and statistical methods would you use to identify dishonest users in a sports app? You work for a company with a sports app that tracks running, jogging, and cycling data. To identify dishonest users, such as those driving a car while claiming to bike, what metrics (e.g., distance, pace, splits, elevation gain, heart rate) would you analyze, and what statistical methods would you use to detect athletic anomalies?

• Write a function digit_accumulator to sum every digit in a floating-point number string. You are given a string that represents some floating-point number. Write a function, digit_accumulator, that returns the sum of every digit in the string.

• Describe strategies to reduce tech debt and improve developer turnaround time. Suppose that you work at a fintech startup. Recently, management has raised the issue of the increased amount of developer hours needed to implement relatively simple features, citing tech debt as the primary cause. How would you go around decreasing tech debt and decreasing developer turnaround time?

• Create a function to find the nearest common ancestor of two nodes in a binary tree. You are given a binary tree of unique positive numbers. Each node in the tree is implemented as a dictionary with the keys left and right, indicating the node's left and right neighbors, respectively, and data that holds an integer value. Given two nodes as input (value1 and value2), write a function to return the value of the nearest node that is a parent to both nodes. If one of the nodes doesn't exist in the tree, return -1.

• Develop a function to determine the robot's path in a 4x4 matrix. A robot has been designed to navigate a two-dimensional 4x4 matrix by only moving forward or turning right when blocked by a wall of the matrix. Its starting position is in the top left corner of the matrix, denoted by (0,0), and the robot's final destination is the bottom right corner. Determine the full path of the robot before it hits the final destination or starts repeating the path. The 'walls' of the matrix are either one of the four borders of the map or any block found within.

• How would you evaluate a method to match users with their siblings on Facebook? A product manager at Facebook has asked you to develop a method to match users to their siblings. How would you evaluate the effectiveness of this method or algorithm? What metrics might you use?

• How would you decrease tech debt and developer turnaround time at a fintech startup? Management at a fintech startup has raised concerns about increased developer hours needed to implement simple features due to tech debt. How would you address decreasing tech debt and improving developer turnaround time?

• How would you improve Google Maps? As the PM on Google Maps, what specific features or enhancements would you implement to improve the user experience?

• What metrics would you check to see if your feature improvements are successful? Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) you would monitor to evaluate the success of your feature improvements on Google Maps.

• What factors could have biased Jetco's boarding time study results? Jetco's study showed the fastest average boarding times. What potential biases or factors could have influenced these results, and what would you investigate further?

• How would you decrease tech debt and developer turnaround time at a fintech startup? Management has raised concerns about increased developer hours due to tech debt. What strategies would you implement to reduce tech debt and improve developer turnaround time?

• How would you design an incentive scheme for Uber drivers to go into high-demand city areas? Design an incentive scheme for Uber drivers that encourages them to operate in city areas where demand is high.

• Would you recommend a customer success manager or a free trial for Square's new software product? Square's CEO wants to hire a customer success manager, while another executive suggests a free trial. What would be your recommendation to encourage new or existing customers to use the new product, and why?

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Argo Ai?

Q: What is the interview process for a Software Engineer position at Argo AI?

The interview process typically consists of a recruiter screening call followed by technical screening and several rounds of technical and behavioral interviews. Candidates can expect coding challenges, questions about their resume, and system design problems. The process usually takes about 2-4 weeks.

Q: What topics are covered in the technical interviews at Argo AI?

Technical interviews focus on data structures, algorithms, and domain-specific questions, such as embedded systems or Linux kernel knowledge. Candidates should also be prepared for system design problems and coding exercises, often at LeetCode medium difficulty level.

Q: How can I best prepare for an interview at Argo AI?

Practicing coding problems on platforms like Interview Query is highly recommended. Users should review fundamental data structures, algorithms, and system design concepts. Brushing up on domain-specific knowledge relevant to the role, such as Linux kernel or automotive systems, can also be beneficial.

Q: What is the company culture at Argo AI like?

Argo AI promotes a culture of innovation and collaboration. Interview experiences often mention that teams are friendly, supportive, and smart, making candidates feel comfortable during the process. However, some feedback indicates variability in recruiter responsiveness.

Q: How long does it usually take to hear back from Argo AI after an interview?

Response times can vary. While many candidates receive timely feedback, some have reported delays and lack of communication post-interview. Generally, it is best to follow up with the recruiter if you haven't heard back within a couple of weeks.

Conclusion

Interviewing for a Software Engineer position at Argo AI reveals a diverse range of experiences. Some candidates found the process to be well-organized, quick, and professional, while others faced communication gaps and unfriendly interactions. Argo AI strengths include supportive interviewers, friendly environments, and thorough technical screens, especially regarding domain-specific knowledge and real-world problem-solving.

If you're preparing for a Software Engineer interview at Argo AI, leverage Interview Query's Argo AI Interview Guide for comprehensive insights, potential questions, and strategic guidance. At Interview Query, we're dedicated to building your confidence and preparation for the challenges that lie ahead.

Explore all our company interview guides for additional preparation tips, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Good luck with your interview journey at Argo AI!