Mathworks

Role: Engineering Development Group (EDG) / Software Engineer

College: Not Specified (On-Campus)

Interview Date: Not Specified (Video published November 9, 2024, experience likely recent)

Interview Type: On-Campus, Full-Time

Result: Offered (Declined)

Difficulty: Easy to Manageable (Online Test), Technical round went "pretty well"

Rounds: 4 rounds

Topics Asked: Mathematics (probability, permutations, combinations, aptitude, time distance speed), CS fundamentals (Data Structures, Algorithms, Operating Systems, Database Management Systems), C/C++ (output, syntax, program tracing, OOPs: constructors, destructors, copy constructor, overloading, overriding, access specifiers, inheritance, friend functions, abstract classes, pure virtual functions, deep copy), Python (lists, tuples, maps, syntax), Behavioral (leadership, communication, handling pressure, failures, why MathWorks, disagreements, time management, tough situations).

Experience:

This experience details the on-campus interview process for MathWorks' Engineering Development Group (EDG) role.

The first round was an Online Assessment. It had a mathematics and aptitude section (probability, permutations, combinations, time, distance, speed), which was described as easy and doable. The second section focused on Computer Science fundamentals, covering Data Structures, Algorithms, Operating Systems, and Database Management Systems. The third section was entirely dedicated to C and C++, with questions on output, syntax, program tracing, and significant emphasis on Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs) concepts like constructors, destructors, copy constructors, overloading, overriding, access specifiers, and inheritance. There was also a Python section as a bonus, with questions on lists, tuples, maps, and basic syntax. The overall online test was considered easy and manageable. Out of 141 students, 18 were shortlisted.

The next round was a Group Discussion (GD), conducted in a virtual meeting room with 5-6 participants. The moderator asked participants to explain their understanding of the EDG program, based on a pre-placement talk conducted earlier.

The Technical Interview lasted approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. It began with a discussion of the candidate's resume and projects. The interviewer then moved to C++ questions, including a design problem: "how to create a setup where only objects of Bike and Car class can be created from a Vehicle base class". The solution involved making the Vehicle class and its `drive` method abstract. Further C++ questions included friend functions, abstract classes, pure virtual functions, and concepts related to constructors, destructors, and copy constructors (e.g., how to create a deep copy). A question on pointers was also asked, specifically "to specify a specific use case where making a pointer as null pointer is useful." The round went "pretty well."

The final round was a combined Managerial plus HR Round, lasting 50-55 minutes, described as one of the longest HR interviews experienced. After introductions, the interviewer asked several behavioral questions. These included handling multiple deadlines, disagreements with team members, showcasing leadership skills, dealing with tough situations, managing time, and handling stressful situations. The interviewer was looking for leadership, communication, calmness, positive mindset, and accountability. The candidate received an on-spot offer but declined it for another opportunity.