Tech IndustryAug 14, 2023
QualcommAdiosOmaha

Google Interview for Embedded Software Engineer

I recently interviewed for an L5 Embedded Software Engineer role at G. Seeking guidance on my chances from Googlers based on my own assessment of my performance: Interview 1 (Googleyness) - 7.5/10. Answered most questions well as they were relatable, with interviewer showing positive body language and gestures. I think I could have answered one question related to diversity better. Interview 2 (Coding) - 8.5/10. Performed well with +ve feedback from interviewer. He said "hoping to see you around here" - guess that's a positive sign. Interview 3 (Coding) - 7/10. Got the solution but the interviewer provided many (unsolicited) hints which were just obvious mistakes that I could have fixed myself when I walked through the code after implementation. Read on blind that taking hints doesn't look good, so not really sure if those unsolicited hints count as a bad thing. Interview 4 (Embedded Domain) - 5/10. Interviewer asked 2 questions. The first one was completely outside my domain and I think I may have bombed it. Interviewer asked me to implement something based on what I think it would be like, when I mentioned to him that I have no experience in that area, and I just wrote some random API's with s#it load of assumptions. The second question was something that I knew and I performed well. Interviewer didn't provide any feedback/hint throughout both questions and appeared to be disinterested/distracted. Not sure what to make of it. Interview 5 (System Design) - 9 or 10/10. Honestly thought I was going to bomb this, but performed pretty well. Interviewer said the design was thorough and appreciated some parts of it as that was exactly what they expected. What are my chances of making it based on above (as objective as possible) assessment? #tech #Google #Embedded #Qualcomm #Apple #L5 EDIT: TC: 230K, 7 YOE EDIT 2: Recruiter mentioned the feedback has been positive, moved to team matching phase. For Systems Design, I just searched for 'Embedded Systems Design Interview' on YouTube and used the approaches in the first few videos that turned up. I also watched some Software system design videos and tried to apply relevant principles like scalability, fault tolerance, design tradeoffs and alternatives etc. to my approach.

Poll
31 Participants
Select only one answer
This comment was deleted by the original commenter.
Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 14, 2023

Surprisingly only true embedded. Wasted my time preparing for LC medium hards.

Bosch USA agnostos32 Aug 20, 2023

What do you mean by true embedded? Is there something like leetcode for embedded? I wanna be an embedded SWE and I also feel like I'm wasting time on LC.

New
Alpha_7 Aug 14, 2023

Can you elaborate on the questions? Especially on the system design round.

Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 14, 2023

Sorry can't really explain it as it may dox me. I used an approach based on some YouTube videos on embedded system design questions.

New
Alpha_7 Aug 14, 2023

I understand. Can you share some of those videos?

NVIDIA ProfK Aug 14, 2023

If you are an embedded /firmware person don’t waste your time on google.

Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 14, 2023

Why is that? This is a Pixel System SW role.

Apple s345dg2 Aug 15, 2023

Why???

New
bsdk-balak Aug 14, 2023

Op how much experience do you have and your current TC?

Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 14, 2023

updated

Apple s345dg2 Aug 15, 2023

Is this the embedded software engineer , silicon position? I am going in for interview next week 🌝

Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 22, 2023

No this was for a different role. How was your interview?

Apple s345dg2 Aug 22, 2023

Have them on Friday, trying to push it off as long as I can do it coincides with the perf review so I can leverage a new offer 😈😈

Dell IamDellGuy Aug 15, 2023

I would love to know what kind of questions they ask? Do they ask system design of your previous projets? Or ask to design somethig new? Which subject they stress more, OS, RTOS, Peripheral interfaces, communication standard, bootloaders etc? A list of videos you mentioned earlier will also help.

Qualcomm techblind0 Aug 16, 2023

This is very useful! Can you also share your phone screen experience?

Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 22, 2023

Went directly to virtual onsite.

Qualcomm linlinwei Aug 16, 2023

OP , I am Not trying to be your competitor but in general given the situation/RIFs at Q, it would help people like me a lot if you can reveal what exactly you prepared for the IV ( not just for Google interview but in general I am hoping this would help in any embedded software interviews )

Qualcomm blind_guy2 Aug 18, 2023

Did you hear back with the result yet?

Qualcomm tommySins Aug 22, 2023

Any response?

Qualcomm AdiosOmaha OP Aug 22, 2023

updated

Qualcomm tommySins Aug 22, 2023

Congrats man! Awesome πŸ‘