Pacific Gas and Electric Interview Questions
& Process

I sent in my application online for the Senior Data Engineer job. After a few weeks, the recruiter reached out to set up the first interview with the hiring manager. This first round was online and took about an hour. We talked about my past work, data engineering ideas, and tools mentioned in the job post like Snowflake, AWS stuff, and ETL pipelines. The interviewer asked a bunch of technical and what-if questions about data structures, how to build data pipelines, and cloud data systems. They also asked some questions about working with others, solving problems, and dealing with tough data engineering situations. Near the end, the hiring manager let me know they were still interviewing others and the recruiter would be in touch about what's next. Later, I found out they decided to go with other candidates. It was a professional interview, and the interviewer asked questions clearly and respectfully.

So for this Associate AI + Automation gig, the interviews are usually pretty hands-on and not super intense. You start with a quick chat with the recruiter, then a 45-60 minute talk with the hiring manager. That part is a mix of behavioral stuff and a real-world problem where you'll have to map out a workflow, suggest an automation MVP, figure out how to measure success, and point out any potential risks. They'll also do some light tech checks on things like Python/SQL basics, APIs, data flow, error handling, and basic GenAI judgment - like when to use an LLM, how to format its outputs, and how to judge its quality. Some places might throw in a small panel interview or a simple take-home assignment, but honestly, they care most about your clear thinking, your instincts for safe implementation, and your communication skills, not deep ML knowledge or tough coding challenges.

The whole process took around 2 months and involved 7 interviews total. It started with a recruiter screen, then a hiring manager chat, followed by a case study assessment. After that, there were 3 separate 1:1 interviews with different stakeholders and teammates, which might have been individual panels. The final step was presenting the case study in person to the manager's manager. It was a really thorough process with mostly behavioral and situational questions, focusing on role expectations and cultural fit. Everyone I talked to was nice and respectful. The process is quite long, but they were responsive throughout. I'd say give it your all and be flexible. Dress to impress, get your case studies in early, and try to stand out because it's super competitive.

I interviewed for the Senior Program Manager role. The interview was set for 45 mins but finished in about 15. I didn't do my best, I think I answered too fast without taking time to think. The interviewers' vibe showed I wasn't the right fit. I don't expect an offer, but I'm thankful for the interview and the chance to learn. For future people interviewing: be ready, take a breath, and think before you talk. The questions were good and needed calm, real-life answers. PG&E's interview process is organized and professional, just make sure you're brief and confident.