Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Samsara, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I started with a recruiter call that felt pretty straightforward and recruiter-led: we covered my background and the role, and I was given a sense of what the next stages would look like. After that, I had a technical screen that leaned into problem-solving and focused on a specific question rather than leetcode-style pattern matching.
My journey started with an initial recruiter screen where we went over the kind of work I wanted and the direction I was aiming for. Not long after, I met the hiring manager for a project deep dive plus a tech screen that used a live technical exercise rather than leetcode. The technical portion stayed practical: it emphasized walking through logic clearly, paying attention to edge cases, and explaining my reasoning rather than just cranking out code.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter call that covers the candidate's background and the role, setting expectations for the subsequent stages. Candidates noted that this initial interaction can vary in quality, impacting their overall impression of the process.
Candidates generally face a technical screen that focuses on practical problem-solving rather than traditional algorithmic challenges, often involving live coding tasks. Emphasis is placed on explaining reasoning and handling edge cases during these sessions.
Behavioral interviews are integral to the process, often framed around company values and assessing cultural fit. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their past experiences in a structured manner, highlighting their approach to challenges and teamwork.
Throughout the technical interviews, candidates are expected to demonstrate depth in their technical knowledge and clear communication. Interviewers often assess how candidates handle ambiguity and provide guidance during problem-solving.
The overall interview experience can greatly depend on the interviewer's engagement and the environment's tone. Candidates reported that supportive interviewers fostered a better experience, while disengaged interviewers led to frustration and confusion.
Candidates experienced varying levels of coordination and communication throughout the process, with some noting delays and lack of clarity regarding next steps. Timely feedback and clear communication were highlighted as crucial for a positive experience.