Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Pacific Gas and Electric, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
My interview felt pretty focused and straightforward. For me, the early questions centered on my resume, and the rest was a mix of standard questions plus a short set of technical checks. I remember being a little surprised that I needed a calculator for the technical questions—there were three of them—and one question didn’t match anything I’d learned in school, so I answered honestly about what I knew.
After applying, I ended up doing a panel-style interview over Microsoft Teams. The conversation leaned heavily on safety protocols and the culture of how work gets done there, and that theme stayed consistent from the beginning to the end.
The interviews are primarily conducted in a panel format, often using Microsoft Teams, with a mix of behavioral and technical questions. Candidates should be prepared for a structured session that emphasizes safety protocols and situational responses throughout.
Interviewers frequently utilize the STAR method, focusing on candidates' past experiences and how they handled specific situations, particularly regarding safety and interpersonal challenges. Candidates should prepare to articulate their experiences clearly and concisely.
Technical questions often relate to domain-specific knowledge, particularly in energy and power systems, rather than general programming tasks. Candidates may need to demonstrate analytical skills and practical problem-solving abilities relevant to the role.
Overall, candidates report an average to difficult experience, with some feeling that the technical assessments were challenging and not reflective of their actual work experience. It's important to prepare for a rigorous evaluation that may include unexpected questions.
Candidates often experience a lack of immediate feedback during interviews, which can create a sense of pressure to perform well without reassurance. Additionally, the communication process post-interview can be slow and unclear, leading to frustration.
The interview process places a strong emphasis on cultural fit, particularly around safety and teamwork. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their values align with the company's focus on safety and operational effectiveness.