FORESIGHT (2021) |Post Graduate Engineer Trainee researcher at Mercedes Benz| Anuraag Bhattacharya

Student Welfare Group, IIT Kharagpur Follow

Listen Share Brief Introduction: I graduated from IIT KGP in 2021 with a Dual Degree in Electrical Engineering (specialization in Instrumentation and Signal Processing). I got placed in Mercedes Benz Research and Development India during the placement season of 2020–21 and joined the company as a Post Graduate Engineer Trainee (AI/ML) in MBRDI’s Intelligent Interior (Algorithm) team from August 2021. How did you get into Mercedes Benz? What was the selection procedure? The company conducted an online coding test, on the basis of which they prepared the shortlist for the interview round. The interview was almost an hour-long, with 5 different people interviewing me one by one. The questions were mainly focused on machine learning and deep learning concepts, and also a fair bit on the internships that I had done. I was also asked questions from computer vision as I had a fair bit of background in the same, and I was not prepared for the same as computer vision concepts were not something that I had revised specifically for CDC interviews. Fortunately, I was able to tackle most of the questions on that topic. I got selected based on my performance in the interview. How to prepare for them? Like many of my peers who were preparing for software/ML roles, I spent most of my time preparing for coding tests in popular programming platforms such as Interview Bit, LeetCode etc. I also prepared for machine learning/deep learning questions from various sources (course material and various online sources). However, as ML/DL roles are limited in number as far as CDC placements are concerned compared to SWE roles, I devoted most of my preparation time to Data Structures and Algorithms. Prior to interviews, I focused mostly on topics that I was most proficient in. It is also important to be prepared for questions focused on projects/internships mentioned in the CV. How would you describe the work culture in your company? How is the work-life balance? I was very impressed by the work culture in MBRDI. Since the team that I work in is focused mostly on the R&D side of things, we generally don’t have daily deadline pressure. The work-life balance is ideal. We get enough time for our own selves during weekdays and have the whole weekend off. We also get considerable liberty to explore and carry out research in topics and problems that interest us. Apart from that, we receive a lot of support, guidance and help from our fellow teammates and seniors, which makes work a lot more enjoyable. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this wonderful company. How was your experience working from home? What difficulties did you face? Working from home has its own advantages and disadvantages, which I’m sure everyone is more or less aware of. Personally, I do not prefer it as I often lose focus from work and get distracted too easily while working at home. Following a fixed routine, which I feel is a good habit, also becomes difficult. According to you, who should ideally apply for this job? Ideally, people who are fairly proficient in Data Structures and Algorithms and are interested to work in the field of ML/DL and have some kind of background in the same (in the form of courses, projects, internships, etc.) should apply for this job. Last year, the position was offered only to students having/pursuing a masters. Any specific advice you want to give to the junta sitting for placements this year? Do your preparation wisely. If you are someone who is targeting SWE roles as well as ML/DL roles, make sure to spend most of your time preparing Data Structures and Algorithms, as that will come in handy in most of your interviews. I would not encourage anyone to focus solely on ML/DL roles, as only a handful of companies offer the same. Stay confident, stay focused and don’t lose hope if you face a few rejections at the beginning, rest assured your time will come eventually, and it is important that you keep your composure till the end. A lot also depends on luck, so don’t be hard on yourself if you see your peers getting placed before you do. After all, days 1,2,3 are just numbers 😊 All the best to everyone sitting for placements this year! Do not worry, something wonderful is waiting for you on the other side. Official CV is attached in a image format.