Tesla Software Engineer Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Tesla Motors Inc interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What are the advantages of programming using C++ when developing software for autonomous vehicles?
How to Answer
Surprisingly, one of the most commonly used programming languages within the autonomous vehicle industry is C++. Even though this is basic and one of the older languages, it has several advantages for this application. The interviewer will ask you about this to see if you have experience using C++ and understand why it is so popular within the self-driving vehicle industry.
Answer Example
"I am aware that C++ is the programming language that is one of the more commonly used to program the onboard systems of autonomous vehicles, like those developed here at Tesla. I believe it is popular because it allows developers to program at a low level. This ensures that there is no surplus code that might make the program run slower or take up too much space. C++ also allows for easy manipulation of computer memory, which results in fast, effective, and reliable code."
2. Please describe responsive design and the difference between fixed and fluid layouts.
How to Answer
You should immediately recognize this is a technical question. Technical questions ask you to define a term or concept and then discuss how it is used in your work. When responding to this question, you should be brief and to the point. The interviewer at Tesla will request additional information if they need it. You should also provide an example if possible to further demonstrate your knowledge of the subject.
Answer Example
"Responsive design refers to the process of creating web content that is formatted according to the device you are using to browse the site. It uses media queries to address breakpoints and scale images, wrap text, and adjust the layout so the website is presented consistently across different devices. Compatible devices include computers, tablets, and mobile phones. Response designs utilize the fluid website design process. This differs from a fixed design in that it uses percentages versus fixed pixel widths."
3. What are the differences between an array and a stack?
How to Answer
This technical question is asking you to compare two concepts used in the role of a Tesla software engineer. When comparing two concepts, you should first define each of them and then discuss how they differ. It may be helpful if you provide examples of how the concepts are used and the work you do to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter.
Answer Example
"A stack is a data structure that utilizes the last in, first out principle for presenting data to the application. On the other hand, an array doesn't have a fixed structure for how data is added or retrieved by the application. A stack may be used in an application that requires the most recent data to be presented first. An array can be used to retrieve any of the data, regardless of when it was added to the application."
4. Please describe a stack and the two operations it performs.
How to Answer
When the Tesla interviewer asks you to describe something, you should immediately identify the question as being technical. When responding to a technical question, you first define the term or concept and then describe how it is used in the work you are performing. If the interviewer asks you follow-up questions, they are expressing a strong interest in this topic and indicating that it is important to their operations. This is a signal for you to expand on your answer and give them more details than you normally would.
Answer Example
"A stack is a data structure that has several distinct characteristics. Stacks use a LIFO process, organizing the data as last in, first out. This differs from a queue, which processes data as first-in, first-out. The two operations a stack performs are push, which is insertion of the data at the top of the stack, and pop, which is removal of the last item added to the stack."
5. What are the differences between blocking and non-blocking calls in the context of Node.js?
How to Answer
During an interview as a software engineer, you can anticipate that most questions will be technical or operational. The best way to prepare for this type of interview is to first conduct research on the company to understand the sort of programming they do and the products they produce. Next, you should carefully review the processes you use as a software engineer to develop programs. Having a clear understanding of these will help you respond to any question the interviewer may ask.
Answer Example
"Blocking calls require that the program waits until a non-JavaScript operation is completed before additional JavaScript commands can be executed. Non-blocking calls can execute commands asynchronously at any time. This characteristic results in non-blocking calls having a performance advantage. Node.js uses both of these types of calls."
6. Tesla web developers are incorporating HTML5 in their most recent websites. Can you describe the functions of web workers in HTML5?
How to Answer
During an interview as a software engineer, you can anticipate that most questions will be technical or operational. The best way to prepare for this type of interview is to first conduct research on the company to understand the sort of programming they do and the products they produce. Next, you should carefully review the processes you use as a software engineer to develop programs. Having a clear understanding of these will help you respond to any question the interviewer may ask.
Answer Example
"Blocking calls require that the program waits until a non-JavaScript operation is completed before additional JavaScript commands can be executed. Non-blocking calls can execute commands asynchronously at any time. This characteristic results in non-blocking calls having a performance advantage. Node.js uses both of these types of calls."
7. Can you define black box testing and white box testing and discuss the differences between them?
How to Answer
Often during an interview, you are asked to define two terms used in the job and contrast them. This is an example of that type of question. When practicing interview questions, you'll note that your response is typically structured in a specific way. This makes responding to questions during the interview easier because you don't have to think about how to structure your answer. In this case, you want to first define each term and then describe the differences between them. You may also want to provide an example of how the concepts are used and the work you do.
Answer Example
"There are two major types of software testing. These include black box and white box. Black box testing is done without the tester knowing anything about how the application was created. On the other hand, white box testing is done by somebody who is intimately familiar with the structure and content of the application. White box testing allows the tester to examine the code and modify it to fix any issues they discover. Black box testing is typically used to simulate how the user views and interacts with the application."
8. What are some of the programming languages you are familiar with, and which ones do you prefer?
How to Answer
This is a general question that an interviewer at Tesla will ask to determine your proficiency in programming, and whether the languages you prefer are the same ones Tesla uses. During an interview, you will be asked a mix of general, operational, technical, and behavioral questions. Interviewers will ask these in random order, so you need to be prepared for each type of question.
Answer Example
"I'm familiar with many different software programming languages. These include C, C++, Java, Ruby, and Perl. My favorite is Ruby because it is easy to use, has a wide range of libraries already available, and is understood by most other programming professionals."
9. Can you describe some of the challenges unique to developing software programs for autonomous vehicles?
How to Answer
Designing software for autonomous vehicles has its own unique challenges. Not every software engineer will be qualified to develop products for this industry. When asked by the Tesla interviewer, you should be able to identify these challenges and discuss how you address them. As with any question, be prepared for follow-ups which the interviewer will use to explore the topic in more detail.
Answer Example
"Creating software for an autonomous vehicle is complex. Whether an engineer is updating existing programs for the vehicle or creating a program from the ground up, the development efforts are unique, as are the requirements for the programs. Not only do you need to program as many as 250 million lines of code, but you must also interact with a wide variety of devices, systems, and hardware in the vehicle. You also need to interface with programs, tools, and platforms both on the vehicle and within the overall driving environment to develop, deploy, optimize, and manage the autonomous vehicle software. I address these challenges by continuously developing my knowledge of the industry and technology, trying new approaches to problems, and collaborating with other developers and designers."
10. Here at Tesla, we have embraced Agile methodology. How experienced are you with the Agile software development process?
How to Answer
This question is asking about your familiarity with a specific process used in software development. It may be a follow-up question to a previous answer you provided the interviewer. When asked this type of question, you should first define the concept or topic and then explain how it is used in your job. This will demonstrate your knowledge of the subject and your experience employing it in the work you do.
Answer Example
"I am very experienced with the Agile software development process. As you know, it is a methodology used when creating a program. Its central concept is iterative development. This involves collaboration between the software development team and the members of the organization who will be using the application. The benefit of this is that it allows for identifying and correcting issues at each stage of the process rather than after all the work is completed."
11. What operating system do you prefer to use for programs which guide self-driving vehicles such as our Tesla Model 3?
How to Answer
Every software engineer may have a favorite operating system they prefer to develop for. However, when developing for a specific industry, you must be adept at using the operating system the organizations in the industry commonly use. Within the autonomous vehicle industry, Linux is the most popular operating system. Since this is also popular in other industries, you should have experience with this OS. The Tesla interviewer will ask this question to confirm this.
Answer Example
"While I've developed programs for a variety of different operating systems, my favorite by far is Linux. I believe that Linux is the operating system of choice for autonomous vehicle manufacturers, including Tesla. This due to its economy and the large, open-source community of people and tools. I especially like working with Ubuntu since it works so well with autonomous vehicle development tools, and embedded Linux, a deterministic, Real-Time Operating System version of Linux. If you don't already have an Ubuntu machine, I can install a VM with Ubuntu."
12. Do you program using Python, and if so, why?
How to Answer
Python is quickly becoming one of the most used software development languages, especially in the self-driving vehicle industry. It is popular with Tesla software engineers because it's easy to use, has large libraries of code that developers can repurpose, and is a natural language programming platform. Like any other programming language, Python has some disadvantages as well. You should be able to discuss your experience programming with Python, its advantages, and disadvantages. This will demonstrate to the Tesla interviewer that you can use the language to develop autonomous vehicle software
Answer Example
"
13. Do you have experience working with Robot Operating System?
How to Answer
Robot Operating System, or ROS, is an operating system common to the autonomous vehicle and robotics industries. It is a relatively new operating system, so many software engineers are unfamiliar or do not have experience working with it. If you worked with ROS, you can describe your experience with it. If not, you can state your knowledge of the operating system and discuss how you would attain the skills needed to program for it. Either answer will be acceptable to the interviewer at Tesla.
Answer Example
"As you are probably aware, ROS is an ecosystem of software libraries for robotic development. Since autonomous vehicles are analogous to robots, this OS makes developing autonomous vehicles easier than other systems. While ROS supports several operating systems, it is commonly run on top of Ubuntu. I have experience programming for ROS using both C++ and Python. Even though ROS has a robust library of tools for autonomous vehicles, it is a bit of a bulky platform to run the autonomous vehicle stack on. That's why I typically use it as a prototyping tool."
14. What are some of the other tools you use when creating autonomous vehicle software?
How to Answer
As with any software engineering function, the engineer needs to have a defined set of tools to develop programs quickly and efficiently. You probably have a set of tools you prefer already. However, the Tesla interviewer is interested in whether your tools align with those the organization employs. Researching the organization and the job will provide you with some insight into this and help you answer the question within the appropriate context.
Answer Example
"The main tools I use when developing software for autonomous vehicles include MATLAB, Simulink, and Git. MATLAB is a numerical and proprietary programming language. Simulink is a block diagram-based graphical programming interface that allows me to create models and simulations. It is probably the most common tool used for designing and testing control systems on autonomous vehicles. I believe the Tesla development team uses this tool extensively. I especially like its add-on tools for porting designs to C++ code. Git is a popular version control and source code management tool that many autonomous vehicle companies use."
15. What is the programming model for ensuring the safety of self-driving vehicles?
How to Answer
Above everything else, the most important concern for self-driving vehicles is the safety of the passengers and others on the road. No matter how well a self-driving vehicle functions, the technology will not be adopted if it puts people at risk. Vehicle manufacturers have gone to great lengths to ensure this. During the interview, you should be able to discuss the model you use to ensure that the software you develop prioritizes safety. The Tesla interviewer may ask follow-up questions about how you specifically develop software to accomplish this objective.
Answer Example
"The software I design for autonomous vehicles must operate in such a way that passengers trust the vehicle to make the right decisions."
16. Are you familiar with software engineers' duties, responsibilities, and requirements in the Tesla software development organization?
How to Answer
Even though you may have a great deal of experience in software engineering, the duties, responsibilities, and requirements for software engineers involved with autonomous vehicles differ from those developing mainstream applications. Before the interview with Tesla, you should conduct a great deal of research to fully understand these. Resources for this include the job posting, Tesla's website, and discussions with current and former Tesla employees.
Answer Example
"I recognize that the responsibilities and requirements for this role are unique. Based on my research, I understand that I will be required to provide software to support various Tesla self-driving vehicle technologies, interact with other Tesla teams designing the car's subassemblies, and collaborate with electrical, firmware, and mechanical design engineers throughout the product life cycle. In addition, I believe the job will require travel to different Tesla facilities across the world, continuous development of product and industry knowledge, and being proficient in technologies such as gRPC, graphql, and Redis, as well as languages such as C++, Golang, and Python."
17. What are some of the key requirements you need to consider when designing software for Tesla autonomous vehicles?
How to Answer
When developing software for autonomous vehicles, you need to work within the general parameters of the industry. There are several key requirements without which self-driving cars would not be practical. The Tesla interviewer expects you to be familiar with these and to be able to discuss how you use them when designing and developing software for autonomous vehicles. When responding to this question, you should list each requirement and a brief description of why it is important.
Answer Example
"There are several key requirements which guide the development of software for autonomous vehicles. These include:
Software architectures must be redundant and operate in real-time. Software and devices will be designed to operate across high-performance clusters and functional domains, connected in a high-speed data backbone structure. Sensors and actuators need to be organized hierarchically.
The demand for high-speed data will continue to grow. Self-driving cars will have sophisticated systems, high-performance computers, and an increasing number of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensors.
Vehicles will need external connectivity to ensure safety and operate efficiently. Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communications must continuously capture and interpret data from the surrounding environment.
Quality and reliability are non-negotiable. Real-time data sensing and transmission must be 100% reliable, regardless of the environmental conditions or traffic volume, and must work for long periods.
As cars become more electrified, safety requirements will evolve. It will be essential to ensure safe data transport on the physical layer level and provide physical and data security.
Car Design Will Require Miniaturized Solutions. Manufacturers will need to develop automotive-grade miniaturized and highly integrated connectivity solutions."
18. Can you discuss Vehicle to Everything (V2X,) its purpose, and some of the components?
How to Answer
As an autonomous vehicle software engineer, you are expected to be familiar with all the technology related to self-driving cars. The interviewer at Tesla will expect you to know about and be able to discuss standards that guide the industry, even if they are not related to the software you develop. Vehicle communications are a key element of this technology, and you should have a thorough understanding of what they are, how they work, and the benefits they bring two autonomous vehicles.
Answer Example
"Vehicle to Everything (V2X) is a communication system designed for vehicles. It supports the transfer of information from a vehicle to the moving parts of the traffic system, including other vehicles, that may affect the vehicle's autonomy. V2X technology was developed to improve road safety, energy savings, and traffic efficiency on the roads. The main components of V2X include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication systems."
19. How do you go about organizing CSS files, and why do you prefer this approach?
How to Answer
This is an example of an operational question that has technical aspects to it. The interviewer is interested in learning more about how you go about doing your job related to this specific topic. No two interviewers are the same, so the questions you will be asked may vary from interview to interview. The best way to prepare for this is to research the company, review your resume, and spend some time reviewing the operations you perform and the technologies with which you work.
Answer Example
"The method I use to organize my CSS files is based on the file's style type. Categories I use include reset, layouts, list, carousel, tables, and several others. This enables me to quickly locate the specific style I'm looking to incorporate into the front end of my program."
20. Here at Tesla, we value work life balance and initiative. What personal software development projects have you worked on outside of work?
How to Answer
In addition to seeking candidates who have the skills and experience necessary to perform the job, hiring managers at Tesla want to make sure the individual will fit into their organization. This is why they are likely to ask you about activities outside of the workspace and personal interests you may have. Your ability to contribute to the corporate culture is equally as important as your ability to do the job. You should have some stories about your personal life prepared, just in case the interviewer asks about this.
Answer Example
"As odd as it sounds, I do enjoy programming and creating applications outside of work. I enjoy this because it allows me to test my skills and utilize new methods on applications I find interesting without the pressure of meeting a deadline or end-user requirements. I recently created a program that allows me to control several different Wi-Fi LTE devices in my home from my phone. The app has features similar to Tesla console, but with a customized interface and more efficient code."
21. If hired by Tesla, can you estimate what portion of your day will involve coding and other activities you will perform when not coding?
How to Answer
This operational question is seeking to understand how you go about doing your job on a day-to-day basis. Operational questions will ask you about the processes you use to accomplish the tasks required by this position. The best way to answer operational questions is directly and briefly. The Tesla interviewer will ask you a follow-up question if they need more information or want to explore the topic in more detail.
Answer Example
"During a normal day, I spend about 60% of my time writing code. The remainder of the day is spent reviewing my work, meeting with my manager, collaborating with other coders on my team, and learning new coding technologies and methodologies."
22. Walk me through your process for designing scalable applications.
How to Answer
A Tesla interviewer will ask this type of question to understand how you go about doing your job. When asked to walk somebody through the process you use, you should divide it into several distinct steps and briefly describe each one. Be careful not to talk too much or over complicate your answer. If the interviewer needs more details, they will request them.
Answer Example
"The process I use for designing scalable applications begins with minimizing the code I use. I focus on the application's functional and non-functional requirements and then create code that satisfies those. I break the application down into distinct processes and code each one sequentially. The final step is to test the application and debug it."
23. Describe the process you use to create a program, from requirements definition to delivery.
How to Answer
When the interviewer asks you to describe a process, they are seeking to understand how you go about doing your job. When preparing for these types of questions, you should review the job description to fully understand the position's requirements and how the organization will expect you to do your job. You should also review the processes you currently use to ensure they align with this role's requirements. Your answer should describe each step of the process in a sequential manner. Make sure to keep your response simple and to the point.
Answer Example
"The process I use to create a program begins with gaining a thorough understanding of the requirements for the application. Once I understand these, I create a flow diagram for how I believe the application should work. I then create code for each operation within the application. I submit the final program to the quality control team, which reviews and debugs the program. The final step is to get sign off from the users. Throughout the process, I document my work so that it can be replicated or updated, if needed."
24. How do you go about addressing errors in your code?
How to Answer
Nobody is perfect, even the highly-skilled software engineers Tesla hires. Every software engineer has errors in the code they create. Denying this will be a red flag, which will make the interviewer skeptical of your qualifications. A better approach to answering this question is to acknowledge that you make errors, and you have a process you use to identify and correct them.
Answer Example
"After I create a segment of code, I take several steps to identify any errors and debug them. These include wrapping the code, using try/catch statements, and using various debugging tools. Once the entire program has been completed, I ask either my peers or the quality control team to review the code and identify any errors I may have missed."
25. What process do you use to test and find bugs in an application you've developed?
How to Answer
The Tesla interviewer will likely ask a series of questions regarding your process because they seek to understand the steps you generally take in scenarios such as this one. As an experienced software engineer, you should be able to easily describe the procedures you use to test and debug the application you develop. Since this is an operational question, your answer should be direct and to the point. You should anticipate additional follow-up questions.
Answer Example
"Since I typically use the agile or waterfall development processes, just as you do here at Tesla, I test my application at various stages during the development process. This allows me to correct errors before they have greater implications later in the process. I use a variety of tools to test and debug the software. I also ask my peers to review my work during the development stage. Once the application is completed, I send it to the quality assurance team for final testing and debugging."
26. How would you implement Dijkstra's Shortest Path using a programming language with which you are familiar?
How to Answer
When asked about how you would implement a procedure or perform an operation, the interviewer hopes to learn more about how you go about doing the job for which you are interviewing. This is known as an operational question. When answering an operational question, you should step the interviewer through the process briefly and directly. It may help break the process down into smaller steps to help the interviewer better understand your methodology. You should be prepared for follow-up questions any time you answer an operational question.
Answer Example
"When programming in Ruby, I would implement Dijkstra's Shortest Path by creating an algorithm to identify the shortest path between two nodes which have positive-edge weights within the graph. I would first query my libraries to see if I have done this before or if another developer had already created a similar algorithm. If not, I would follow the guidelines within Ruby to accomplish this."
27. Many Tesla Software Engineers prefer to program in Java. Can you describe how you would implement linear search in JavaScript?
How to Answer
This question asks you to detail the process you use to perform a specific operation within a software programming language. During an interview, you should listen carefully to each question the interviewer asks. Always make sure that the interviewer completes the question before you begin to formulate your answer. This will ensure that you respond to the right question and provide the interviewer with the information they are seeking.
Answer Example
"The easiest way to implement a linear search within JavaScript is to create an algorithm that examines each element in the list and determines whether it matches the value I have defined. Once I've created the algorithm, I can repurpose it by simply redefining the value and/or the list I am using. This is just one of the Java programming techniques I will use, if hired as a Software Engineer here at Tesla."
28. Tesla is very proud of our products and the people who develop them. In your opinion, what distinguishes a great software engineer from an average one?
How to Answer
When an interviewer asks this type of question, they seek to understand what your perception of excellence in this role is. When answering the question, you should align your response with the job requirements, as defined in the job posting. You can also incorporate your past performance to demonstrate that you are aware of what excellence is and strive to achieve it.
Answer Example
"I believe the trait which distinguishes a great software engineer from an average one is being able to balance excellence and performance. While I strive to write perfect code, I recognize that the project has a deadline and needs to be accomplished on time and under budget. If I have to compromise the quality of my code, it is done in such a way that it will not impact the final performance of the product."
29. Walk me through the steps to build a single page application with multiple sections using the programming framework in which you typically work.
How to Answer
You can often identify the type of question you're being asked by how the interviewer asks it. When you hear a phrase such as 'walk me through the steps...,' you know that this is an operational question. The best way to respond to this sort of question is to break down the process into individual steps and briefly describe each one. The interviewer at Tesla will likely ask you a follow-up question so they can better understand your methodology, so come prepared with a few examples.
Answer Example
"I generally work in Ruby, so the first thing I do when building a single page application is diagram it based on the functional and non-functional requirements. I then search my libraries to see if I have code that I can apply to the application. Then, I write the code that I need to create the application according to the user specs. Finally, I test, debug, and finalize the application before publishing it. I create documentation throughout the process so other programmers can follow my steps and modify the application."
30. Which do you prefer - a micro-service approach or a monolithic app?
How to Answer
When asking about a preference, the interviewer is seeking to understand how you approach your work. Your response to this question is based on two factors. The first is your experience and skill set in this job. The second is the research you have done about Tesla and your understanding of their preferences for the type of operations they perform. Your answer can either align with Tesla's processes or conflict with them. If you choose to conflict with them, you should be able to rationalize your answer based on your experience.
Answer Example
"While I'm aware that Tesla prefers monolithic applications, I use a micro-service approach. I like to do this because it allows me to create different services that can operate independently and, therefore, more robustly. While this approach results in better performance and more efficient code, it also creates multiple failure points. Extensive testing before putting the application into production can usually mitigate this."
31. How would you accelerate the response time of a website you created for us here at Tesla?
How to Answer
When conducting an interview, hiring managers like the ones at Tesla are interested in one of three things - how you can help their organization make money, save money, or save time. The questions they ask will be specific to these objectives. You can prepare for the interview by understanding the organization's mission, the role of the job you are interviewing for, and how you can help them achieve one of these three objectives. In this case, the interviewer is seeking to understand how you can save time.
Answer Example
"There are several ways you can accelerate the response time of a website. These include using adaptive images, employing a cache, minimizing the number of plugins you use, compressing the content, and enabling HTTP to keep-alive response headers. The methods I use depend on the specific application and how the users interact with it."
32. Can you describe a tough software development problem you encountered in your last job and discuss how you solved it?
How to Answer
This is an experience-based question. Experience-based questions ask about a specific situation and seek to understand how you resolved it. This provides the Tesla interviewer with information about your background and your ability to do the job. When responding to this type of question, keep your answer simple using plain language the interviewer is likely to understand.
Answer Example
"When creating an internal application to help our company's employees track their expenses, there was a bug in the program which impacted the rounding of percentages. After hours of examining the application and attempting to fix the problem, I was unable to identify the bug. I asked one of my peers to look at my code, and they quickly found the issue. This helped me realize that sometimes I'm too familiar with the code I write, and a fresh set of eyes can be helpful."
33. What do you look for or check when reviewing another team member's code?
How to Answer
This is a hybrid question, which has elements of both operational and technical questions. Since both operational and technical questions are responded to directly and succinctly, your answer will be the same. This question's broad nature also indicates that the interviewer will likely ask a follow-up question regardless of how you respond to their original question.
Answer Example
"When I'm asked to review another team member's code, the first thing I look for is to make sure that the code is efficient and follows our organization's guidelines. I'm careful not to personalize my review or make recommendations on how they could improve the code based on my personal preferences and coding style. I also strive to impart new knowledge to the coder when I make suggestions. An example of this would be showing them a more efficient way to accomplish the task, which they may not have considered."
34. What do you feel are the critical principles of good software engineering?
How to Answer
This is a general question that asks you to characterize what makes a software program efficient and effective. Your ability to do this will help the interviewer at Tesla understand your qualifications for the position. Your answer should incorporate both the requirements for the job, as stated in the job description, and your previous experience writing code. You should limit your answer to two or three important principles and anticipate a follow-up question from the interviewer.
Answer Example
"There are several critical principles I try to incorporate in any code I write. These include simplicity, standardization, and ease of understanding. By doing this, I ensure that the code is effective and easy to understand and update, if necessary. I also document my code so that other programmers can comprehend it and modify it if required to do so. Are these the same practices you employ here at Tesla?"
35. Can you describe Tesla's software development life cycle as you understand it?
How to Answer
This is an example of a hybrid operational and technical question. It asks you to define a concept relative to this profession and describe how you go about doing this job. When answering these types of questions, you should be direct and to the point. The Tesla interviewer is likely to ask several follow-up questions to explore this topic in more detail. Your answer should also be aligned with the requirements for this job, as defined in the job posting.
Answer Example
"The software development life cycle, or SDLC, is a process that most developers follow to create an application or program. The individual steps I understand Tesla uses include defining the requirements, planning the development, creating the code, testing it, and deploying the application. Specific methodologies used to accomplish this include the waterfall or spiral models, or the Agile framework. Is this accurate?"