Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Palantir, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I kicked things off with a short recruiter phone screen that mostly covered my background and interests. About a week later I had a technical screen where I solved two LeetCode-style medium problems and also worked through a REST API task, all in a coding-assessment format.
My process started with a basic recruiter call, then I went straight into an online assessment. After that, I had a first technical round that included decomp and debugging, and then I ended up at a final technical round that mixed coding with behavioral evaluation.
The process typically begins with a recruiter call focused on assessing fit and interest in the company, often involving discussions about the candidate's background and motivations rather than technical skills. This step sets the tone for the subsequent technical evaluations.
Candidates undergo a technical coding assessment that usually includes LeetCode-style problems, often of medium difficulty, which may be conducted online or in a live interview format. This round tests coding ability and problem-solving skills under time constraints.
A significant portion of the interview process focuses on decomposition and learning rounds, where candidates must break down ambiguous problems and demonstrate their ability to learn and adapt to new information in real-time. This tests reasoning and communication skills rather than just coding speed.
The final stages often include a behavioral interview and a hiring manager round that assess cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission, alongside technical discussions. Candidates are evaluated on their motivations and how well they articulate their fit for the role.
The interview process is described as structured but can feel fast-paced, with little time between rounds, which may add pressure on candidates. The overall experience varies, with some candidates feeling overwhelmed by the intensity and speed of the interviews.
Many candidates report a sense of unpredictability regarding the outcome, feeling that performance in certain rounds, especially the decomposition and learning sections, heavily influenced their chances of receiving an offer. Reflecting on the experience, candidates often wish they had better prepared for the unique style of questioning.