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Google·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

SeniorPrefer not to say
May 2026

Summary

Google product design interview, one question, no frills. They asked me to build a campus on the moon and I spent the first two minutes wondering if this was a joke.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

How would you design and build a Google campus on the moon?

Product Sense & IdeationAdaptability & AmbiguitySystem Design
Author's notes

I froze for a bit because I kept waiting for a constraint that never came.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the goal and constraints of the moon campus, then frame it as a product with users (Googlers) and value (innovation, research, collaboration). Structure your answer by breaking down the problem into key areas: purpose, location, infrastructure, technology, and operations, and propose a phased approach.

Pro tip: Acknowledge the absurdity but treat it as a serious product design exercise; show you can balance ambition with practicality by prioritizing user needs and iterative development.

1. Clarify Objectives and Constraints

Ask questions to understand the purpose (e.g., research hub, employee retreat, data center), budget, timeline, and success metrics. Establish assumptions if needed.

2. Define Users and Value Proposition

Identify primary users (e.g., engineers, researchers, astronauts) and what value the campus provides (e.g., innovation, collaboration, resource access).

3. Design the System and Infrastructure

Outline key components: location (e.g., lunar south pole for resources), habitat, life support, energy, connectivity, and transportation. Consider modular and scalable design.

4. Plan Phased Implementation

Propose a roadmap: initial robotic setup, followed by crewed missions, and gradual expansion. Include risk mitigation and partnerships (e.g., NASA, SpaceX).

5. Measure Success and Iterate

Define metrics (e.g., uptime, productivity, cost per employee) and feedback loops to improve the design over time.

Key Points to Mention

  • Lunar environment challenges: vacuum, temperature extremes, radiation, regolith
  • Resource utilization: water ice for life support, solar power, 3D printing with regolith
  • Connectivity: low-latency communication via satellite relays (e.g., Starlink)
  • Modular and self-sustaining habitat design
  • Partnerships with space agencies and private companies
  • Phased approach: robotic precursor, then human presence, then expansion

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.