LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—We’re here to see a big event for Elon Musk’s Hyperloop, his plan for the future of transportation. Advertisement.
Hyperloop One, a new company that just raised $80 million to build a real Hyperloop, will test its propulsion system in a press demo on Wednesday.
The test isn’t the full-size Hyperloop; it’s a “sled” on an open-air track that shows how the Hyperloop will be powered once it’s built.
That morning, Tech Insider talked to the famous Silicon Valley investor Shervin Pishevar. Pishevar is best known for investing early in Uber, back when everyone thought the company was overhyped. We all know how that turned out.
Pishevar is the chairman of Hyperloop One. In 2013, he persuaded Elon Musk to let the public see his plans for the Hyperloop. Advertisement.
Shervin Pishevar: I first heard about it just through my friendship with Elon. And then when we went on the trip to Cuba together, I brought that up with Elon. Like what are you going to do with it? And that’s how the journey began.
No, he said at the time that he would make it open source and not work with any company that comes from it. We asked if we could start a business, and he said yes. He was going to open source it anyway. When we asked if it was possible to bring cargo, he said that if you scale the system, it should work. That’s kind of how it started. Then I started the business without him and hired [Hyperloop One CTO] Brogan BamBrogan and the board. That’s how it started.
Pishevar: In 10 years there should be a network of Hyperloops around the world. That’s the vision. Hopefully within five years we’ll see the first ones actually working.
[This week] we are going to see the actual propulsion system. We should see the “Kittyhawk moment,” or the full-scale Hyperloop test run, again here in Nevada by the end of this year. Advertisement.
Thompson: So the first full-scale test system, the two-mile track, will be built here in Nevada?
Pishevar: We don’t know for sure yet, but it’s likely to be international. Just from a legal and government point of view, it’s likely to be abroad. Advertisement.
Pishevar: In the US and abroad there’s incredible positivity towards Hyperloop. People are excited about it and it’s really begun to capture peoples imaginations. The way governments responded to broadband shows that they really did want it to come to their countries. The government officials saw the potential for that. You saw how 3G and LTE licenses changed economies around the world, as well as how mobile phones changed economies all over the world. We hope Hyperloop and Hyperloop One start to really do that.
Pishevar: We hope to be complimentary towards existing systems with partnerships. That’s why you see SNCF investing and partnering, GE Ventures investing and our partnership with them. With that kind of partnership model, we should be able to find ways to work with these companies to make the Hyperloop solutions work. What will be the biggest impact the Hyperloop will have if/when it gets up and running? Advertisement.
Hyperloop One wants to make the world one, want to make the world smaller. In many ways getting rid of that displacement of where you live and where you work. Really, at that point it doesnt matter where you live and work. You should be able to travel between cities much faster and more cheaply than is possible today.
Thompson: Can you walk me through what we are going to see during the propulsion test?
Pishevar: We are going to see the propulsion open-air test. That is going to show that our propulsion levitation system actually works. We should hit 350 miles per hour or so. And that should be faster than any high-speed rail in the world. The full system will then be in a tube with a pod by the end of the year.
Pishevar: That is like choosing your favorite children. In the end, I live in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, and I’d love for the Hyperloop to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco just for me.
Pishevar: I think people are making it possible. The incredible talent that has assembled at Hyperloop One is what is making it possible. I don’t just think it’s a technology story, I think it’s a human story. Everyone’s hearts, passion, and dedication are what are warping reality and making this possible so quickly.
Interviewing at Hyperloop One? You’ve come to the right place. In this article I’ll walk you through the top 10 most common Hyperloop One interview questions and provide tips on how to ace your responses. With the right preparation you’ll be ready to impress your future employers!
Hyperloop One is a trailblazing company at the forefront of high-speed transportation technology. Their groundbreaking work on Hyperloop systems promises to revolutionize travel as we know it. As such, competition for jobs at Hyperloop One is fierce. Standing out requires thorough preparation and insight into the types of questions you’re likely to encounter.
While every interview is unique, there are several questions that come up consistently for roles at Hyperloop One Let’s examine the ten most frequent ones
1. Why do you want to work for Hyperloop One?
This question tests your understanding of and enthusiasm for the company’s mission. Hyperloop One wants employees who are passionate about their transformative work.
In your response, convey your genuine excitement for their industry-leading position in high-speed transport innovation. Reference specific projects or advances that inspire you about their technology. Share how your skills and experience align with their goals for sustainable, high-speed travel. Convey that you’re committed to being part of an organization shaping the future of transportation.
2. What challenges do you foresee in implementing Hyperloop systems?
This question assesses your critical thinking abilities and comprehension of the complexities involved in this emerging technology. Demonstrate you’ve researched the hurdles facing Hyperloop development. Issues like regulatory approvals, securing rights of way system safety and optimization for high passenger and cargo loads may come up.
Detail the main problems in a short way while showing faith in Hyperloop One’s creativity in finding solutions. You could talk about how the company is already moving solutions forward by working with the government and doing cutting-edge research. Show that you can think analytically about how to get around problems on the way to innovation.
3. How would you handle an urgent issue like a pod malfunction during Hyperloop operations?
Hyperloop One wants assurance you can keep a cool head and react decisively when faced with high-stakes system failures. Your response should demonstrate calm under pressure, logical thinking, and concern for passenger well-being.
Start by emphasizing that passenger safety is always the first priority. Describe initial steps like immediately stopping pod traffic and notifying emergency services. Discuss diagnosing the issue through system logs and tests to rapidly pinpoint solutions. Outline how you would coordinate across operations, engineering, and leadership teams to address the situation expediently while providing timely updates to all stakeholders. Convey your ability to deliver swift and effective solutions even in crisis scenarios.
4. Tell me about a time you successfully handled a complex engineering challenge.
Hyperloop One seeks innovative problem-solvers able to creatively tackle challenges. Your response should highlight specific skills like technical expertise, resourcefulness, communication abilities, and project management strengths.
Use the STAR method – situation, task, action, result. Clearly describe the complex engineering challenge you faced, your responsibilities in solving it, the systematic approach you employed, and the successful outcome thanks to your efforts. Quantify your results and impact whenever possible. Demonstrate how you drove projects ahead through a mix of perseverance and creative thinking.
5. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your field?
Hyperloop One is on the cutting edge, so employees are expected to know a lot about new technologies, research, and improvements in transportation engineering.
In your response, prove you have a hunger for continuous learning. Share the resources you rely on to stay current – publications, online forums, conferences, training programs, and courses. Provide an example of how absorbing the latest information influenced a project outcome, like applying augmented reality to streamline construction processes. Highlight how you leverage your network of peers to exchange ideas and expertise. Demonstrate that for you, intellectual curiosity and growth are lifelong endeavors.
6. Tell me about a time you faced a challenging engineering constraint. How did you overcome it?
This question probes your real-world experience navigating technical limitations. Interviewers want to know how you respond when engineering designs confront physical, practical, or resource restrictions.
Pick a specific example and walk through how you identified the constraint, devised potential workarounds, analyzed alternatives, and implemented elegant solutions. For instance, maybe your team encountered performance issues with a pod suspension system due to vibration constraints. Detail how you performed simulations, refined parameters, and eventually recommended a novel active damping mechanism that overcame the limitations. Let your problem-solving skills and creative thinking shine.
7. How would you convince a skeptical public official that Hyperloop is the future of transportation?
This tests your ability to communicate complex technical matters in a persuasive, engaging way to non-engineering audiences. Share how you would highlight specific Hyperloop benefits like:
- Greener transport for reduced emissions
- Faster passenger and cargo transit for economic growth
- Congestion and accident reduction through optimized routes
- Affordable infrastructure compared to high-speed rail
- Enhanced safety features and fail-safes
Back up assertions with facts, statistics, and examples that resonate for public officials, like job creation, reduced taxpayer burden, and increased access. Tailor your pitch to address common areas of concern too, such as emergency preparedness and right of way issues. Demonstrate your passion for the promise of Hyperloop as a changemaker in sustainable transportation.
8. How would you integrate new engineers into a project that’s already underway?
Here interviewers want to assess your leadership and team-building skills. Explain your onboarding process for new team members:
- Providing background on goals, status, and team members’ roles
- Scheduling Knowledge transfers and design reviews to impart tribal knowledge
- Implementing mentorships and job shadowing with experienced engineers
- Forgoing micromanagement in favor of clear expectations and support for independent problem-solving
- Fostering collaborative spirit and open dialogue
Emphasize that you onboard new engineers in a way that sets them up for productivity and cohesion while minimizing disruption to existing team momentum.
9. Tell me about a time you made a mistake on an engineering project. How did you handle it?
Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t be afraid to share an example here. What’s important is demonstrating accountability, learning, and resilience. Explain how you:
- Quickly owned the error when it was discovered rather than hiding it
- Worked to understand root causes like faulty assumptions or miscalculations
- Implemented safeguards to prevent recurrences, like improved testing or analysis methods
- Discussed lessons learned openly with colleagues to improve collective knowledge
- Took responsibility for mitigating downstream impacts and getting the project back on track
Use the example to highlight maturity, transparency, and commitment to continuous improvement after setbacks.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Finally, interviewers want to gauge if you’re in it for the long haul. Express your passion for the Hyperloop One vision and enthusiasm to grow professionally as part of the team. Share relevant aspirations like:
- Gaining expertise in levitation and propulsion systems
- Managing projects through full-scale Hyperloop deployment
- Developing industry standards and safety protocols
- Leading an engineering research group to enhance tube efficiency
- Expanding proprietary technology for maximum global impact
Align your goals with the company’s overarching mission. Convey your dedication to sharing in Hyperloop One’s successes long-term and advancing your career alongside their innovations.
Key Takeaways for Acing Your Hyperloop One Interview
With rigorous preparation focused on these common questions, you’ll demonstrate the mix of communication abilities, technical prowess, and passion that make for a standout Hyperloop One candidate. Keep these tips in mind:
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Thoroughly research Hyperloop One’s technologies, projects, and mission so you can knowledgeably discuss their work.
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Review your application and resume – be prepared to elaborate on any points from your background.
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Brush up on transport engineering fundamentals in case technical questions arise.
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Prepare illustrative anecdotes that highlight relevant experiences and skills.
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Practice answering questions naturally aloud until your responses sound polished but conversational.
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Plan your interview attire to convey professionalism – business formal is best.
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Bring copies of your resume, a notepad, and pen to jot down notes.
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Arrive 10-15 minutes early to get settled and review your materials.
With diligent preparation, you’ll feel confident and ready to succeed when your Hyperloop One interview opportunity arises. The role you land could place you at the forefront of the future of transport. I wish you the very best as you embark on this exciting career journey!
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FAQ
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