Southwest Research Institute Research Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

After applying online, I got a text weeks later for a screening. The text was unclear about the date, only giving a time, and the invite came less than an hour before. The screening felt messy from the start. The interviewer didn't introduce himself, say what he did, or explain why we were meeting. I was told to start a presentation I had to prep with no notice or context. He seemed distracted and not into it. His questions were unclear, and he got hostile when I asked for more info or tried to answer well. When I asked about the job, company, and team, he dodged my questions. After pushing, I realized the screening wasn't for the jobs I applied for, but a different role in another division he never explained. It was super unprofessional and disorganized.

The first round was a 30-minute phone screen. Then, they flew me out to San Antonio, covering hotel and rental car. The interview day started with security and HR sign-ins, followed by a facility tour with an interviewer. I had a panel interview with about 12 people and also a technical presentation. After that, I went through 5 one-on-one interviews, and we had a group lunch. They asked some follow-up questions, and I waited for feedback for round 3, but then I got an automated HR rejection email instead.

The day started with introductions and an outline of the day's schedule. First, I had to complete HR forms, which took a bit longer than expected due to additional paperwork for international applicants. Unfortunately, I missed a one-on-one with HR because of this, though we'd been in touch beforehand. Next, there was a quick chat about the visa process for working in the US. Around 10:30, I met with the hiring manager for about 30 minutes to discuss my potential fit within the Division, my strengths, and weaknesses in an informal setting. There weren't any technical discussions until the technical presentation later. Two more 30-minute informal chats with different team members followed, focusing on my understanding of the company and its business model. The main technical part was a 30-minute presentation of my academic work to about 10-15 employees, followed by a 30-minute Q&A. It was a friendly atmosphere, and discussing work I'm passionate about was enjoyable. I had lunch with the hiring manager, then more 30-minute Q&A sessions with other division members. There was also a short tour of the facilities. The entire process lasted about 7-8 hours, quite intensive but relaxed, and I never felt pressured. I was well-prepared for the presentation, and the non-technical questions felt more like discussions. Overall, it was a positive experience.