Junior Engineer Pipeline
A high-volume process for entry-level engineers built on one short, AI-allowed work sample instead of degree filters and long interview loops.
Why this works:
- Degrees and GPAs no longer certify competence; a short scored work sample predicts real ability far better
- AI use is allowed and disclosed, so you score judgment and verification instead of playing detection
- Deliberately few rounds: one assignment and one pairing interview, so decisions land inside a top candidate’s 10-day window
- The same task and rubric for every applicant keeps a high-volume junior funnel fair and comparable
Best for: Junior and entry-level software engineers, internship-to-hire pipelines
Timeline: ~1 week
Candidate effort: ~2 hours (paid)
Process stages
This template includes 5 stages that candidates move through:
Application
Submit ApplicationApply with your resume and a short note about something you’ve built. No GPA cutoffs and no school filters; the work sample ahead is what counts.
AI-Allowed Work Sample
Code AssignmentYou’ll get a small existing codebase with a planted bug. Reproduce the bug, fix it, extend one feature, and explain your tradeoffs in the PR description. AI tools are allowed and must be disclosed: tell us how you directed and verified them. The task is scoped to about 2 hours, and you’ll be paid $100 USD for your time regardless of the outcome.
Rubric Review
Team ReviewTwo engineers score your submission against one shared rubric: did you catch the bug, verify your fix, and reason about your tradeoffs. Directing and checking AI well counts in your favor.
Pairing Interview
InterviewOne 60-minute pairing session on your own submission. We’ll extend it together and talk through your reasoning. No puzzles, no trick questions, and no further rounds after this.
Offer
OfferYou’ll hear a decision within 48 hours of your interview. If it’s a yes, we’ll send the offer details right away.
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