Senior Technical Program Manager II, Autonomy Interview Experience at Cruise

I recently interviewed for the Senior Technical Program Manager II, Autonomy position at Cruise, and I’d like to share my experience and provide insights into the interview process. This role is focused on managing complex, cross-functional AI programs that are pivotal to the development of Cruise’s autonomous vehicle technologies, with a particular emphasis on machine learning, computer vision, and robotics.

Overview of the Role

The Senior Technical Program Manager II, Autonomy at Cruise is responsible for overseeing technical AI programs, ensuring the smooth execution of projects that span multiple departments, and aligning the efforts of various engineering teams (including machine learning, behavior systems, motion planning, and perception teams). This role is crucial for advancing Cruise’s mission of developing self-driving vehicles, and it involves managing high-priority programs, improving processes, and fostering collaboration across teams.

Interview Process

The interview process for this role is structured and includes several stages to assess both technical expertise and leadership abilities. Here’s a breakdown of each step:

1. Initial Screening (HR Interview)

Overview: The first step involves a screening call with an HR recruiter. This is a brief interview where the recruiter reviews your background and motivation for applying. They will also discuss logistics such as your availability and work location preferences.
Example Question: “Why do you want to work at Cruise, and how does this role align with your career goals?“

2. Technical Phone Interview

Overview: This is a phone interview with a senior technical program manager or a hiring manager, where you will be asked about your experience managing technical programs, especially in machine learning, robotics, or autonomous vehicles.

Key Areas Covered:

• Program Management: Expect questions about how you manage large, complex programs, handle timelines, and work across multiple teams to deliver results.
• Technical Expertise: You may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of machine learning, robotics, or AI, and how these technologies apply to autonomous vehicles.
• Leadership and Communication: Given the cross-functional nature of the role, expect questions about how you lead teams, communicate with stakeholders, and resolve conflicts.

Example Question: “How do you approach managing a cross-functional program involving multiple engineering teams with different priorities? Can you share an example of a time you led such an initiative?“

3. Onsite Interview (Multiple Rounds)

The onsite consists of several rounds, each focusing on different aspects of the role:

Round 1 - Program Management Deep Dive

In this round, you will discuss specific programs you have managed in the past, how you’ve navigated challenges, and how you ensure that teams stay aligned towards a common goal. You may also be asked to design a hypothetical program for AV development at Cruise.

Example Question: “Describe a program you led where you had to align engineering teams, product managers, and other stakeholders. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?”

Round 2 - Technical Problem Solving

This round assesses your ability to understand and discuss technical concepts in machine learning, AI, and autonomous vehicle technologies. You may be asked to solve a problem related to the development of autonomous systems or validate your technical knowledge.

Example Question: “If you were tasked with improving the performance of a perception system for an autonomous vehicle, how would you approach identifying and solving bottlenecks?”

Round 3 - Leadership and Decision-Making

As a senior program manager, your leadership skills are crucial. Expect questions that assess how you make decisions, lead teams, and manage cross-team collaboration.

Example Question: “Tell us about a time when you had to make a critical decision with limited data. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?”

Round 4 - Behavioral Assessment

This round evaluates how you fit with Cruise’s culture and how you handle conflict, prioritize tasks, and deal with ambiguity. They will want to see your ability to handle complex, fast-paced environments.

Example Question: “Describe a time when you had to resolve a conflict between two teams. How did you approach the situation, and what was the result?“

4. Final Round (Executive Interview and Cultural Fit)

Overview: In the final round, you may meet with senior executives who will assess your strategic vision for the role and alignment with Cruise’s broader mission. They will also gauge your ability to drive long-term goals and handle high-level program management challenges.

Example Question: “How do you see the role of autonomy program management evolving in the next few years, and what strategies would you put in place to ensure that Cruise stays ahead of its competitors?”

Key Skills and Experience

To succeed in this role, the following skills and experience are essential:

• Program Management: Proven experience managing large, cross-functional programs, particularly those involving advanced technologies like machine learning, AI, and robotics.
• Technical Expertise: Solid understanding of machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and AI systems, especially in the context of autonomous vehicles.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration across engineering, product management, and other departments.
• Strong Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in managing ambiguity and making data-driven decisions.
• Experience in AV or Robotics: While not always required, experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or similar fields is highly valuable.

What to Expect

• Complex Technical and Leadership Questions: Be prepared to discuss your experience managing complex technical programs, as well as your approach to leading teams and aligning stakeholders.
• System Design and Problem Solving: You may be asked to design hypothetical programs or solve complex technical problems related to autonomy and AI.
• Behavioral Questions: Expect a focus on your leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, and how you manage cross-functional relationships.

Final Tips

• Prepare for Program Management Scenarios: Be ready to discuss specific programs you’ve managed and the challenges you faced. Focus on outcomes, collaboration, and how you aligned teams to meet objectives.
• Understand AV Technologies: A solid understanding of machine learning, AI, and robotics is essential. Brush up on your knowledge of how these technologies apply to autonomous vehicles.
• Leadership and Communication: Emphasize your ability to lead teams, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and navigate complex organizational challenges.