Uber careers span a wide range of roles and the ride-sharing company, which was founded in 2009, has approximately 16,000 employees worldwide with about 9,300 located in the US. Because it’s a technology company one might expect engineering would be top of mind when thinking of jobs at Uber, and there are about 2,000 employees working in this field.

Other departments are marketing, global community operations, operations and launch, product, design, people operations, business and sales, advanced technologies and so on. There is another important consideration for job seekers — location. Uber has offices in San Francisco, NYC, LA, DC, Seattle, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, and Amsterdam.

So, if you were thinking “Uber careers are in San Francisco,” you would have been partially correct. At the San Francisco headquarters, located on Market Street, there are several thousand employees — but there are many more at the other locations.

How do I get a job at Uber?

It’s common knowledge that getting a referral from someone who works there can be much more effective applying online with no referral. If you look on LinkedIn and try to go through connections to reach an Uber recruiter, that will probably boost your chances. There are also about 9,500 Uber employees on Blind so it might be possible to get a referral that way, for an example look at this request.

Uber reportedly likes to hire people who are entrepreneurs, in other words, people who have started their own businesses. Employees who function like entrepreneurs within companies sometimes are intrapreneurs because they look for growth opportunities and want to try to optimize them, rather than only completing tasks. Multi-disciplinary people with traits like fierceness, innovativeness, communication skills and passion are also attractive to Uber.

Insights from Blind

“We do have some key hubs where we are hiring even faster than others. New York, Amsterdam, Bangalore & Hyderabad are places I definitely know of that might double in size the next 1-2 years, making them really good places to join right now and have outsized impact.” Jan. 6, 2019 (read more here)

For a question about how long it takes to receive feedback after an interview one reply was: “For me it took around a week. It depends on the interviewer.” May 3, 2018 (read more here)

“For a software engineer interview one question on Blind was about the use of Hackerrank, “I did for mine. Had to compile and run the code.” Jul 31, 2018

“I got dumped today after Uber phone screen. My coding problem actually wasn’t that difficult, but I failed to clarify one point which led me to a simpler solution rather than my original idea (which was closer to what the interviewer wanted). Oh well, I may have actually dodged a bullet there. If I’m unhappy as an Amazon SDE, Uber ain’t gonna be much better.” Oct 2, 2018 (read more here)

For a data science position interview and what to know, an Uber employee answered, “Pandas, basic DS concepts at the level of ISLR, AB testing.” Aug. 31, 2017

For a data analyst position interview and what to know, there were two answers: “If it was the same thing i had last year, it just talked about supply and demand and suggestions/insights you’d make. it was kind of weird because it was more strategy based than actual analytics.” Mar. 26, 2018

“Also throw is the word cluster analysis if u can. Uber is big on cluster analysis.” Mar. 27, 2018 (read more here)

For a product manager interview, one prospect gave this warning:

“I went through their product manager interview and it was a sham.

General steps:
– phone screen with recruiter – what do do you , why you want this , related exp
– phone interviews with potential teams. You can do more than one if you feel you can potentially fit more than one team
– pick a team to move forward
– team specific interviews and then onsite

Personal exp:
– the guy representing the team made it very obvious that he wasn’t really interested in talking at that time. I had to constantly repeat answers as he was distracted .
– Did well and was asked to submit a “written proposal with mocks” on a new idea. spent a week on it with a full fledged proposal and got no feedback on it . I was told the product team felt more could be done and recruiter offered no explanation
– after 3 months I found the same fu**** idea thing on the app.

Two cents : be careful sharing your ideas hoping they will respect it.” Sep. 12, 2018

For a question about how to prepare for a product manager interview, one reply was: “They’ll give you a situation and ask you to solve the problem. Standard PM scenario exercise. Structured thinking, metrics driven methodical approach will help.” Jul. 21, 2018 (read more here)

How is the compensation?

For a question about compensation for a Marketing Operations Manager role, one user replied, “So SF Marketing Manager? Not sure what comp looks like exactly these days but I’d guess base is 80-85 for that role in San Francisco.” Dec. 1, 2017

On a question about senior software engineer compensation, an Uber employee wrote, “140-185 base, depending on your past experience, etc.” Jul.24, 2017

This was the total compensation offered for a senior product manager role: “My numbers: base = $200, Bonus = $50 k (mostly stock), Equity : = $300 k (or thereabouts).” Jan. 24, 2018

This was the total compensation for an L4 software engineer role: “Uber: Base: 150k, Equity: 9000 shares (585k at 100B   evaluation), Bonus: 13k cash or 52k refresher, Sign on: 50k, 3.5 YOE. Bay area. Feb. 8, 2019 (read more here)

Another L4 total compensation package answer from an Uber employee: “135-155 base and around 150-290k in RSU 13,500 cash bonus (up to 2x) and 52,5000 (up to 2x) for equity refresh. May 9, 2018

For an L4 software engineer role, someone wrote, “OP here: I managed to get a $50k signing bonus.” Oct. 17, 2018

For a question about L4 Data Scientist compensation, one reply was: “I have a friend with 147k base and 10k rsu. Level 4 DS.” Dec. 4, 2017 (read more here)

“I have 10 years of experience in marketing, got an offer from Uber but base is too low. I have two offers one from Hiscox, base salary is 145K+17.5% bonus, while Uber offered me base as 120K in NY+ 3107 RU’s with 4 yr vesting.” Dec. 31, 2018 (read more here)

“I’m 3yr exp working in a typical IT company in NoVA. Worked for another 2 yr before grad school. Got an offer from Uber in SFO for SE II for 150k base + 5200 RSU + 40k annual paper money bonus which is projected as around $260k by recruiter.” Jul. 17, 2017 (read more here)

How is the culture?

Uber’s culture reportedly emphasizes boldness, hustle, customer obsession and moving up the employee ranks through internal competition. It also has been written about in the press as allegedly having issues with sexual harassment and some aggressive behavior in the workplace. Vanity Fair published an article stating the culture was ‘cutthoat’ but some efforts to change it have been made. Some news articles about Uber careers have not been that positive, but what do actual Uber employees say?

Insights from Blind

“Good culture. The old problems I think have been ironed out real fast. Benefits are okay but remember it’s a non-profitable startup. Compensation should be decent. Interesting problems to solve. Great energy and enthusiasm. Great talent. I feel it’s the  best company I have worked at even though I have worked at half a dozen top Silicon valley companies. Apr 20, 2018 (read more here)

“Find some people in your network that have left Uber and some that have joined. Don’t trust anonymous posters on the Internet with your career decisions.” Apr 20, 2018 (read more here)

“The number one issue is this, nobody but higher ups know whether the harassment policy is taken seriously. Nobody else knows whether an investigation was taken, nobody knows whether a suitable punishment was meted out properly. There is no independent inspector general or ombudsman at Uber.” May 5, 2018

“It’s improved but there are still pockets that are very bad. The new CEO often says the right things, but then turns around and does the wrong thing. He’s one of those smooth talking fake types. Mental health issues among employees as a result of the environment is still common.” Oct 25, 2018

“I have two friends there. They said after the blog post things were different for a few months but that now it’s back to normal. They’re just more subtle about their harassment. Also it’s arguably even worse for women there now because a lot of guys just avoid them. As if treating a women like a normal human being is hard, Jesus.” Mar. 20, 2018

“Discriminating, territorial, secretive, condescending. You name it.” Dec. 17, 2018

How are the perks?

Appealing perks are part of tech company cultures, and Uber offers free drinks (non-alcoholic), ride discounts, free gym memberships, unlimited vacation, free snacks and some free lunches.

“Nah in SF it’s around $200. You get free Uber from BART/Caltrain/Ferry terminal to and from the office, free Uber home after 10pm. And lunch, dinner, snacks obv. Although the lunch really isn’t the best among all the other free lunches.” Aug. 18, 2018

“And $68 a month reimbursement for fitness, $50 a month for mobile bill.” Aug. 18, 2018

“Uber 17% off applies to Ubereats as well. It’s like the best thing ever, means it’s almost same cost or lower as eating at restaurant. I just order Ubereats on weekends now.” Nov. 1, 2018

“There’s company phone with global roaming. Also annual $800 health fund for apple watch, gym, massage, etc. Food is worse than panda express sometimes, as Panda can be quite tasty :)” No. 2, 2018

“It’s true that Uber hot food is bad 80% of the time. But it’s free and the salad bar is ok. No gym but Uber gives you money to pay for gym membership. $200 ride credit, 17% off rides.” Nov 1, 2018

How diverse is Uber?

About 18% of Ubers tech workers were female, and approximately 38% of the total staff was as well according to 2018 data. In the same year, 8% of the Uber’s employee count was black, and 6.1% was Hispanic.Technical leadership roles were occupied mostly by white and Asian employees.

Insights from Blind

“Male feminist that was happy to see the shifts in 2017. No place is perfect, but with a commitment to improve, I think Uber’s becoming a market leader in equity across categories when before it was terrible.

1) The north star goal is fair pay, not increased leveling. They track equity as part of fair pay too, and they hold it at parity, not above.” Oct. 31, 2018

“(Force) diversity program in the eng team – no. Diversity is a big thing, but beyond sponsoring initiatives and trying to source diverse candidates where we have the bandwidth to do so (e.g. internships), there is nothing forced or suggestive. We have the same bar for everyone. Also, if there is no headcount to hire (though rare), you could be the most diverse candidate, but we can’t make an exception.” Dec. 9, 2018

“Not a frat house full of assholes, sexual harassers, nor racists. Worked here for 3 years; I’m a woman of color; I’ve had mostly positive experiences. If anything, it’s just a competitive, intense, and stressful place, though it has mellowed out a bit since last year.” Jul. 12, 2018

How is the San Francisco Headquarters?

About 2500-3000 employees work in San Francisco and the headquarters is futuristic-looking with copious amounts of glass, open space and natural lighting.

Insights from Blind

“It is open seating. Each floor is doughnut shaped and pretty small so sound and distractions aren’t really an issue. Cafeteria, social lounge, and outdoor patio area is on the 6th floor. We started occupying 555 in 2016. It’s a nice building and super convenient. Next to a bunch of places and nextdoor to the Bart/Muni station.” Aug. 21, 2018

“555 and 1455 are the main offices. 555 is less crowded. It’s a good office with less distractions. And you won’t encounter nearly as mNy homeless injecting heroin on the street like in 1455.” Aug. 22, 2018

“It’s not too noisy. A lot quieter than 1455 mainly due to the floors not being as large and open as the floors at 1455.

“There are some near-soundproof individual booths scattered across the floors if you need some privacy or peace and quiet when making phone calls or just for working.

In terms of location, it’s better than 1455 because there are a bunch more food options in the area.” Aug 26, 2018

For a question about the onsite gym, one answer was:

“No it doesn’t have squat racks. It has 2 ellipticals 2 treadmills 1 bike 1 stairmaster 1 rower plus a few other equip.”

How is the traffic?

It depends which Uber location you work at — in San Francisco there is dense traffic at peak times as you would expect. Many people who work in the city ride public transportation like BART and MUNI. Depending on how close you are it might also be possible to walk, ride a bike or scooter or even take an Uber.

How much is housing?

San Francisco is well-known for having the highest or some of the highest rents and home prices in the US. If you are moving to San Francisco you might try a shared living situation by looking at ads on Craigslist. There are rooms in condos, apartments, houses and there are some ‘tech houses’ where groups of tech workers live together. If the average rent in San Francisco is around $3,400 a month, you might be able to find a shared arrangement for a little over $1,000.

Uber careers are not for everyone — the employee fit is going to be based on whether or not you like Uber’s mission, the culture and the actual tasks you perform. One good thing about Uber careers is that even if you don’t like your job and wind up working there for a year or so, you might build up your resume enough that you are attractive to other tech companies in the Bay Area.

The average employee tenure at Uber in 2018 was 1.8 years, soUber careers might not be what you are expecting if you want an employment situation that lasts over five years. That’s not to say your time at Uber won’t last, but it might be fairly short-term.

Image Credit: Dilu, Wikipedia, image was cropped somewhat, CC BY-SA 4.0