Staff AV Software Systems Engineer Interview Experience at Cruise

I recently interviewed for the Staff AV Software Systems Engineer role at Cruise, and I’d like to share my experience to help others prepare for the position. This role focuses on designing and analyzing systems within the autonomous vehicle (AV) stack, particularly in how AVs interact with the physical world through sensor integration, software, and hardware systems.

Overview of the Role

As a Staff AV Software Systems Engineer at Cruise, you are expected to have extensive experience in systems engineering, data analysis, and developing complex solutions that enhance the performance and safety of autonomous vehicles. This role is highly technical and requires expertise in software systems, data handling, and simulation to ensure that the AV stack functions as required. You’ll collaborate closely with multiple teams, including product, hardware, and testing, to design, validate, and scale solutions for autonomous vehicle systems.

Interview Process

The interview process for this role was multi-phase and focused on assessing both my technical expertise and my ability to manage large, cross-functional projects. Here’s how it unfolded:

1. Initial Screening (HR Interview)

Overview: The first stage involved a conversation with an HR recruiter. They discussed the role, my background, and whether my experience matched the role’s requirements. They also talked about Cruise’s values, team culture, and benefits.
Example Question: “Why are you interested in working with Cruise, and what specifically attracts you to this position?“

2. Technical Phone Interview

Overview: The next step was a technical phone interview with a senior engineer. The focus was on my experience with system design, autonomous vehicles, and data analysis.

Key Areas Covered:

• Systems Engineering: Questions focused on designing robust, scalable systems that integrate with various subsystems (e.g., sensors, motion control, and perception).
• C++ and Python: Given the nature of the role, there were questions about writing efficient C++ code and using Python for data analysis or automating processes.
• Data Analysis: They asked about my experience with analyzing large datasets, specifically how I’ve used statistical or machine learning techniques to solve engineering problems in complex systems.

Example Question: “How would you design a system to validate sensor data for autonomous vehicles, ensuring the data is reliable and accurate for decision-making?“

3. Onsite Interview (Multiple Rounds)

The onsite was broken into several rounds, with a mixture of technical and behavioral questions.

Round 1 - System Design

This round involved designing a system for autonomous vehicles. I was asked to design an end-to-end validation system that monitors sensor data and ensures that AV software meets the required safety standards.

Example Question: “Design a software system that ensures the AV’s perception system (like cameras or LiDAR) performs optimally in various urban environments. What key components would you include to ensure accuracy and safety?”

Round 2 - Simulation Testing

The focus here was on how to simulate real-world driving conditions and test the AV’s behavior under various scenarios. They wanted to see how I would create automated testing frameworks for AV software, especially focusing on performance and safety.

Example Question: “How would you use simulation to test the performance of an AV’s motion planning system? What metrics would you track to ensure its success?”

Round 3 - Debugging and Optimization

In this round, I was asked to troubleshoot and optimize a system dealing with large volumes of sensor data. I was given a piece of code and asked how I would improve its efficiency and scalability.

Example Question: “Here is a piece of code that processes sensor data for an autonomous vehicle. What optimizations would you make to ensure it handles large data volumes efficiently in real-time?”

Round 4 - Behavioral and Leadership

This round assessed my leadership skills, team collaboration, and ability to drive projects across cross-functional teams. They were interested in how I handle ambiguity, prioritize tasks, and influence stakeholders.

Example Question: “Tell us about a time when you had to lead a team through a complex problem involving different technical challenges. How did you manage the team and resolve conflicts?“

4. Final Round (Cultural Fit and Executive Interview)

Overview: The final round involved a conversation with senior leadership. The goal here was to assess my alignment with Cruise’s mission and my ability to handle strategic decision-making and long-term program management.
Example Question: “What is your vision for how autonomous vehicle systems will evolve in the next few years, and how would you help guide the development at Cruise to stay ahead of the curve?”

Key Skills and Experience

To succeed in this role, you need the following skills:

• Systems Engineering: Strong expertise in designing and validating complex systems, particularly in the context of autonomous vehicles.
• C++ and Python: Proficiency in both programming languages, with a focus on software systems, real-time processing, and automation.
• Data Analysis: Experience working with large datasets, statistical analysis, and machine learning techniques to solve engineering problems.
• Simulation and Testing: Hands-on experience designing and running simulations, especially for testing AV systems under real-world conditions.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to lead and mentor teams, collaborate with cross-functional departments, and manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

What to Expect

• Technical Depth: Expect to dive deep into system design, coding, and testing of autonomous vehicle software.
• Simulation and Testing: Prepare to discuss how you would create robust testing systems to validate the performance of AV systems, especially in terms of scalability and safety.
• Behavioral Questions: The interviewers will focus on your leadership skills, your ability to collaborate across teams, and how you handle ambiguous or complex situations.

Final Tips

• Prepare for System Design Questions: Focus on how you would design scalable and reliable systems for AVs, from sensors to software layers.
• Brush Up on C++ and Python: Make sure you’re comfortable with coding in both languages, especially for optimizing and automating processes.
• Understand AV Simulation: Be ready to discuss how simulations are used in autonomous vehicle testing, including the types of metrics and tools you’d use.
• Highlight Leadership Experience: Be prepared to discuss how you’ve led teams or projects, especially in cross-functional settings.