Katerra Interview Questions
& Process

The interview was low-key. It consisted of presenting my professional work history. The panel included the Director of Structural Engineering and an Associate from the firm. They talked a lot about designing concrete podium structures for wood buildings and wanted me to show typical details for concrete buildings I'd designed. It felt like they were using the interviews for free consulting, as the focus was on CFS and wood members, a switch from my usual work. The place seemed disorganized with no reception, and the cubicles were very small. It looked more like a tech company with many young engineers. There was ageism, and they bragged about hiring engineers from other firms. This interview was a waste of time.

I applied online and a recruiter reached out a month later. We scheduled an initial 30-minute phone chat. It was pretty casual, asking about my experience, what I'm seeking in a company, and what the company does. They also inquired about my salary expectations, which caught me off guard. The next week, I had an hour-long interview with the department manager. This was also relaxed, focusing on my background and assessing cultural fit. Finally, a week after that, I met with other engineering department heads. This round was specifically for cultural fit and to give me a chance to ask questions, as there wasn't enough time in the prior interview.

The interview process was quite thorough. It started with a phone interview, followed by a video call similar to Skype, and concluded with an in-person interview on site. They were very mindful of my time. Everyone I interacted with, from the interviewers to the recruiters, was professional and helpful. Overall, the experience from beginning to end was positive.

The interview process spanned two months and involved five rounds. It included a phone screen, followed by interviews with the hiring manager, an engineer, another engineer, and then the hiring manager again. While I understand not getting the job, receiving an automated rejection after dedicating two months and undergoing five interviews was unexpected.