Cruise Automation, Inc. is at the forefront of developing self-driving vehicle technology aimed at transforming urban mobility and enhancing safety on the roads.

As a Software Engineer at Cruise, you will play a critical role in the development of cutting-edge software for autonomous vehicles. Your responsibilities will encompass designing and implementing scalable testing pipelines, collaborating with cross-functional teams to validate the performance of autonomous systems, and contributing to the overall quality assurance of software products. This role requires a deep understanding of software engineering principles, proficiency in programming languages such as Python and C++, and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures in a remote work environment.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a passion for innovative solutions, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of code quality. Experience in automated testing frameworks and familiarity with data analysis tools will be essential for success in this role. Additionally, a collaborative mindset and the capability to communicate technical concepts effectively will align well with Cruise’s values of teamwork and inclusivity.

This guide will equip you with the necessary insights and strategies to excel in your interview for the Software Engineer position at Cruise, helping you to demonstrate your qualifications effectively and connect your experiences with the company's mission and culture.

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining Cruise Automation, Inc. as a Software Engineer. Whether you were contacted by a Cruise 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 happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Cruise Talent Acquisition Team will make contact and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

In some cases, the Cruise Software Engineer hiring manager stays present during the screening round 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

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. Technical screening for the Cruise Software Engineer role usually is conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may revolve around Cruise’s self-driving vehicle systems, data structures, and coding challenges.

You might be asked to solve live coding problems, implement data structures, or design algorithms. In some instances, you could be required to solve machine learning problems, specifically focusing on neural networks.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds will be conducted during your day at the Cruise office, varying based on the role. During these interviews, your technical prowess, including programming skills, system design capabilities, and understanding of self-driving vehicle systems, will be evaluated against the other finalized candidates.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also await you during the onsite interview for the Software Engineer role at Cruise.

Quick Tips For Cruise Software Engineer Interviews

Here are a few tips for acing your Cruise interview:

1. Brush Up on Core Technologies: Cruise’s software engineering interviews often focus heavily on specific technologies like Go, Python, Kubernetes, and Docker. Familiarize yourself with these tools and concepts beforehand.

2. Understanding Autonomous Systems: Cruise is at the forefront of self-driving technology. Understanding the basics of autonomous systems, including machine learning and sensor fusion, can give you a competitive edge.

3. Practice Problem-Solving: Cruise interviews can feature live coding assessments and algorithm design. Refresh your problem-solving skills and consider using platforms like Interview Query to practice potential interview questions and scenarios.

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

• 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. A 'Block' is denoted by having 1 in the cell corresponding to it where an empty cell is having '0'.

• 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? Working on the Uber app, how would you create an incentive program to encourage drivers 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? In charge of Square's small business division, would you advise hiring a customer success manager or instituting a free trial to encourage new or existing customers to use the new software product? Explain your recommendation.

• How would you identify dishonest users in a sports app tracking running, jogging, and cycling data? You work for a company with a sports app that tracks metrics like distance, pace, splits, elevation gain, and heart rate. Formulate a method to identify users who might be cheating, such as driving a car while claiming to be on a bike ride. What metrics would you analyze, and what statistical methods would you use to detect athletic anomalies indicative of dishonesty?

• How would you evaluate a method or algorithm 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, and 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?

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Cruise Automation, Inc.?

Q: What is the interview process like for a Software Engineer at Cruise?

The interview process at Cruise starts with a 30-minute recruiter call covering your background and fit for the position. This is followed by one or two technical interviews that include live coding challenges, algorithm design, and discussions on data structures and system architecture. There might also be a behavioral interview focusing on your past projects and soft skills.

Q: What kind of technical skills and experience is Cruise looking for in a Software Engineer?

Cruise is looking for engineers with experience in designing, building, and operating production systems at scale in the cloud. Proficiency in languages like Go, Python, and C++, alongside familiarity with technologies such as Kubernetes, Docker, and GCP, is highly desirable. Experience with Unix/Linux systems and networking fundamentals are also important.

Q: Can you describe the company culture at Cruise?

Cruise fosters a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employees are encouraged to be themselves and contribute meaningfully to the company's mission. The work environment is collaborative, with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement, accountability, and mentoring.

Q: How does Cruise support the professional growth of its engineers?

Cruise offers numerous opportunities for professional growth including mentorship programs, cross-functional team collaborations, and continuous learning through challenging projects. Engineers are encouraged to take on leadership roles, contribute to technical roadmap planning, and participate in code reviews and design discussions.

Q: What benefits does Cruise offer to its employees?

Cruise offers competitive salary and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health support, flexible vacation, paid parental leave, 401(k) matching, fertility benefits, and a Pre-tax Commuter benefit plan for local employees. They also have a location-flexible work policy called CruiseFlex.

Ready to join a forward-thinking team and make a positive impact through advancing self-driving technology? Prepare for your interview with Interview Query to ensure you put your best foot forward!

As you prepare for your interview at Cruise Automation, Inc., remember that this is your chance to become a part of a company that's reshaping the future of transportation. Cruise is pushing boundaries with self-driving technology, and they are seeking talented engineers like you to help realize their vision of safer, more efficient urban mobility.

Want more insights about Cruise's interview process? Check out our main Cruise Interview Guide, where we cover various interview questions and scenarios that might come your way. We’ve also extended our resources to include specific guides for roles like software engineer to give you a holistic view of what to expect during your interview journey.

At Interview Query, we equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to ace your interview with comprehensive toolkits and strategic guidance. Dive into our resources, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Good luck with your interview! Let's drive the future together! ????????