WET Interview Questions
& Process

I had a great phone interview with their new COO who answered my questions about the company. The in-person panel interview the following week was a bit disorganized, with interviewers seeming preoccupied, possibly due to the upcoming holiday weekend. While the panel members were nice, friendly, and intelligent, they seemed distracted and unsure of the specific role I was interviewing for, despite being recruited for the principal mechanical engineer position based on my resume and experience. My diverse background, which was the reason for the initial contact, seemed to be questioned. They suggested interviewing for other departments, which felt more like a tour, providing info on their machinery and testing equipment. The emphasis on a 'creative' environment was reiterated, with unique office setups, but the day-to-day creativity seemed department-dependent, similar to other engineering roles focused on meeting performance specs. They do offer classes to inspire creativity and education, which is a positive aspect. The campus is impressive and offers many amenities like a gym and yoga, likely to compensate for the remote location. It's been over two weeks with no response about an offer or rejection, which is unusual compared to other companies that provide timely feedback.

I submitted my resume and portfolio, which I think really helped get me past the initial HR screening. The recruiter then called me to discuss my projects and let me know about the next steps. I was told I'd need to give a 20-minute presentation on a technical product I developed. The interviewers were sharp and asked detailed questions, so be prepared to back up your claims. It's a busy environment, so don't get flustered if people come and go. I also had to take a SolidWorks test, which was easy since I've taught it before. Then they gave me a tour of the facility, which was impressive. The workspace is open, modern, and great for designers and tinkerers, with lots of high-end tools available. Engineers in manufacturing will appreciate the diverse team, and design engineers will love the on-site manufacturing capabilities like laser cutters, injection molding, and CNC machining. They move quickly and will let you know if you're a good fit and make an offer fast.

The head of recruiting contacted me about WET Design. I initially wasn't interested because I had already accepted another offer. However, the recruiter was so pleasant and made me feel like I was talking to a friend. I was so captivated by the conversation that I decided to give WET a chance. They flew me in from the Bay Area for an interview and treated me exceptionally well. The environment was trendy, and everyone was friendly. I received a tour and was impressed with their process and product. I was interviewed by passionate engineers, and their passion for the product intrigued me. The more questions they asked, the more interested I became in WET. I felt great leaving the interview and was excited about the company. When offered the position, I accepted without hesitation and am very happy with my decision. The relocation was smooth, and WET was accommodating. Overall, my experience was successful!

The whole interview process was pretty fast, smooth, and professional, wrapping up in about two weeks from start to finish. I interviewed back in March 2016. The place is amazing, and I really enjoyed talking with the team. Lots of them were really interested in my past technical projects and even my life outside of work. Overall, it was a great experience. First, Javier from the talent acquisition team screened me. He knew his stuff and explained the company's mission and what they needed in an employee really well. He was upfront about the workload and time pressure but also highlighted the perks of working there. After we both felt it was a good fit, I had a phone call with the VP of Product Engineering. Then came the in-person interview where I met folks from the mechanical engineering team, the COO, and the head of talent acquisition. They were all great to chat with. The interview was pretty casual, focusing on my previous projects. Like any good company, they're looking for someone who's a solid all-arounder, both technically and personally. After the group chat, they gave me a tour of the facility, showing off the prototype and production machine shop, testing equipment for materials and environmental conditions, metrology gear, an optics lab, and even a playground for testing. You'll definitely have the resources to do the innovative work they expect. As an engineer who's seen both big and small companies, I've never encountered a workspace that was so well-designed and functional. The machine and wood shop were incredibly organized, almost obsessively so, but they had this vibrant, energetic feel. I ended up declining because I didn't want to relocate to the SF Bay Area.