# Senior Engineering Manager **Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** M2 **Company:** [Airbnb](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/airbnb) **Difficulty:** High **Salary:** US$180000 - US$250000 **Experience:** 8 - 15 **Timeline:** ~4 days The interview process for a Senior Engineering Manager (M2 level) at Airbnb is designed to assess leadership potential, technical depth, people management skills, and strategic thinking. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams, drive technical excellence, and contribute to Airbnb's mission and culture. Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/airbnb/m2-software-engineering-manager --- ## Overall evaluation - Core Competencies - People Leadership - Technical Excellence - Strategic Impact - Communication & Collaboration - Cultural Fit ## Questions asked - Describe your leadership philosophy and how you build and motivate high-performing engineering teams. - Tell me about a time you had to manage a significant technical challenge or project failure. What was your role, and what did you learn? - How do you approach career development and performance management for your engineers? - Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders or cross-functional partners to achieve a goal. - How do you balance innovation and execution, and how do you manage technical debt? - What are your strategies for attracting and retaining top engineering talent? - How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity within your team? - Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision that had a significant impact on your team or project. - How do you stay current with technology trends and ensure your team is adopting relevant practices? - Describe your experience with scaling engineering teams and systems. - How do you handle conflict within your team or with other teams? - What are your thoughts on building a strong engineering culture? - How do you prioritize work when faced with competing demands? - Tell me about a time you had to mentor or coach an engineer to improve their performance. - How do you measure the success of your team and your own effectiveness as a manager? ## Preparation tips ### lists - Deeply understand Airbnb's mission, values, and business. - Review your past experiences and identify specific examples that demonstrate your leadership, technical, and people management skills. - Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you build and grow engineering teams. - Familiarize yourself with common software engineering management challenges and how you've addressed them. - Practice articulating your thought process for technical and strategic decisions. - Research the specific team and product area you would be managing. - Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the team, the role, and Airbnb's engineering culture. ### studyPlan - {"title":"Company & Self-Assessment","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on understanding Airbnb's business, product, and engineering culture. Read company blogs, engineering case studies, and recent news. Familiarize yourself with Airbnb's core values and how they translate into leadership expectations. Review your own career history, identifying key projects and accomplishments related to people management, technical leadership, and strategic impact. Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples for common management scenarios.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Airbnb business & values, career review, STAR method prep."} - {"title":"People Management & Interview Practice","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into people management best practices. Study topics like hiring, performance management, career development, conflict resolution, and fostering psychological safety. Review common interview questions for engineering managers and practice your responses. Consider reading books or articles on effective leadership and team building. Prepare to discuss your approach to building and scaling engineering teams.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: People management best practices, interview question practice."} - {"title":"Technical & Strategic Acumen","longDescription":"Weeks 5-6: Focus on technical leadership and strategic thinking. Refresh your knowledge of system design principles, scalability, and architectural patterns relevant to Airbnb's scale. Prepare to discuss how you make technical decisions, manage technical debt, and align technology roadmaps with business objectives. Think about how you would contribute to Airbnb's long-term technical vision. Practice articulating your strategic thinking and problem-solving approaches.","shortDescription":"Weeks 5-6: Technical leadership, system design, strategic thinking."} - {"title":"Final Preparation & Mock Interviews","longDescription":"Week 7: Final preparation and mock interviews. Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on all aspects of the interview process (behavioral, technical, strategic). Refine your answers and ensure your communication is clear and concise. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers. Ensure you are well-rested and mentally prepared for the interviews.","shortDescription":"Week 7: Mock interviews, question refinement, final readiness."} ## Location differences - {"location":"San Francisco Bay Area","differences":{"tips":["Research Airbnb's presence and engineering challenges in the specific region.","Highlight any experience managing distributed or international teams.","Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted management styles to different cultural contexts.","Understand the competitive landscape for engineering talent in the location."],"interviewFocus":["Understanding of local market talent pool and compensation benchmarks.","Awareness of regional engineering challenges and opportunities.","Adaptability to different cultural nuances in team management.","Experience with specific regulatory or compliance requirements if applicable to the location."],"commonQuestions":["How do you handle a situation where a key team member is underperforming?","Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision that impacted your team. What was the outcome?","How do you foster a culture of innovation within your team?","What are your strategies for attracting and retaining top engineering talent?","How do you balance technical debt with delivering new features?","In a remote or hybrid work environment, how do you ensure team cohesion and productivity?","Tell me about a time you had to manage conflict within your team. How did you resolve it?","How do you stay updated on the latest technology trends and how do you incorporate them into your team's roadmap?","Describe your experience with agile methodologies and how you've adapted them for your teams.","How do you measure the success of your engineering teams and your own performance as a manager?"]}} - {"location":"Remote/International","differences":{"tips":["Emphasize experience with remote team management if applicable.","Showcase adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills.","Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the local market and Airbnb's position within it.","Highlight any experience working with global teams or in international markets."],"interviewFocus":["Understanding of the local tech ecosystem and talent availability.","Experience with specific industry regulations or market dynamics.","Ability to manage teams in a different time zone or cultural setting.","Knowledge of local cost of living and its impact on compensation expectations."],"commonQuestions":["How do you manage a team with a mix of junior and senior engineers?","Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders outside of your direct reporting line.","How do you delegate tasks effectively to empower your team members?","What is your approach to performance reviews and career development for your engineers?","How do you ensure psychological safety within your team?","Tell me about a project where you had to deal with ambiguity. How did you bring clarity?","How do you prioritize competing demands from different product areas?","What are your thoughts on building scalable and maintainable systems?","How do you foster collaboration between engineering and other departments (e.g., Product, Design)?","Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from it?"]}} ## Round 1: Recruiter Screen **Type:** Recruiter Screen · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min Initial screening to assess overall fit and motivation. This initial screening call with a recruiter or HR representative is designed to assess your overall fit for the role and Airbnb. They will review your resume, discuss your career aspirations, and gauge your understanding of the position. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about Airbnb and the specific team. Be prepared to talk about your motivations for applying and your high-level experience. **Interviewers look for:** Clear communication; Enthusiasm for Airbnb; Basic understanding of management principles; Alignment with core values **Evaluation criteria:** Communication skills; Initial assessment of leadership potential; Cultural alignment **Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear communication; Inability to provide specific examples of leadership; Poor understanding of people management principles; Difficulty articulating technical decisions; Not demonstrating alignment with Airbnb's values ## Questions - Tell me about yourself and your career progression. - Why are you interested in this Senior Engineering Manager role at Airbnb? - What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager? - What are you looking for in your next role? ## Preparation tips - Research Airbnb's mission, values, and recent news. - Be ready to provide a concise overview of your career and why you're interested in this role. - Prepare questions about the role, team, and company culture. ## Round 2: Hiring Manager Interview **Type:** Hiring Manager Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min In-depth discussion on people management and technical leadership. This interview focuses on your experience as a people manager and technical leader. The hiring manager will delve into your past experiences, asking for specific examples of how you've managed teams, driven technical projects, and handled challenging situations. Expect questions about hiring, performance management, conflict resolution, technical strategy, and your leadership philosophy. **Interviewers look for:** Evidence of effective people management; Ability to guide technical decisions; Structured approach to problem-solving; Strategic mindset; Experience in hiring and developing talent **Evaluation criteria:** People management skills; Technical leadership; Problem-solving abilities; Strategic thinking **Common rejection reasons:** Lack of structured approach to problem-solving; Inability to articulate technical trade-offs; Poor delegation skills; Difficulty managing underperformance; Not demonstrating strategic thinking ## Questions - Describe a time you had to manage a significant underperformer on your team. What steps did you take? - How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team? - Tell me about a complex technical project you led. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them? - How do you prioritize work for your team when faced with competing demands? - Describe your process for hiring engineers. What do you look for? ## Preparation tips - Prepare detailed examples using the STAR method for common management scenarios. - Think about your approach to building and scaling teams. - Be ready to discuss your technical background and how you stay current. - Consider how you align technical strategy with business goals. ## Round 3: Technical & Strategic Interview **Type:** Technical & Strategic Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min Assesses system design, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership. This interview assesses your ability to think strategically, design scalable systems, and lead initiatives that impact multiple teams or the broader organization. You'll likely be asked about your experience with architectural decisions, managing technical debt, and aligning technology roadmaps with business goals. The interviewer will also evaluate your collaboration skills and your ability to influence across different functions. **Interviewers look for:** Ability to design scalable and robust systems; Strategic thinking and long-term vision; Collaboration with peers and other departments; Leadership impact beyond their immediate team; Understanding of business context **Evaluation criteria:** System design and architectural thinking; Strategic planning; Cross-functional collaboration; Leadership at scale **Common rejection reasons:** Inability to think at scale; Lack of strategic vision; Poor understanding of system design principles; Difficulty collaborating with peers; Not demonstrating leadership beyond their own team ## Questions - Design a system for [a relevant Airbnb product/feature, e.g., a real-time notification system]. Consider scalability, reliability, and maintainability. - How would you approach setting the technical vision for a new product initiative? - Describe a time you had to make a significant technical trade-off. What was the decision, and what was the impact? - How do you ensure your team's work aligns with the company's overall business objectives? - How do you handle disagreements with other engineering leaders on technical direction? ## Preparation tips - Review system design principles and common architectural patterns. - Think about how you've influenced technical direction at a broader level. - Prepare to discuss your approach to managing technical debt and ensuring system scalability. - Consider how you collaborate with product management, design, and other engineering teams. ## Round 4: Executive/Leadership Interview **Type:** Executive/Leadership Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 60 min Focuses on leadership philosophy, cultural alignment, and overall potential. This interview is with a senior leader (often a VP or Director) and focuses on your leadership philosophy, cultural fit, and overall potential to contribute to Airbnb's success. They will assess your ability to inspire teams, drive strategic initiatives, and embody Airbnb's values. This is also your chance to ask high-level questions about the company's direction and engineering vision. **Interviewers look for:** Demonstration of Airbnb's core values; Strong communication and interpersonal skills; Leadership potential and executive presence; Ability to articulate vision and inspire others; Genuine interest in Airbnb's mission **Evaluation criteria:** Cultural fit; Leadership presence; Communication and interpersonal skills; Alignment with Airbnb's values; Overall potential **Common rejection reasons:** Lack of alignment with Airbnb's culture and values; Poor communication or interpersonal skills; Inability to demonstrate leadership potential at the M2 level; Not asking insightful questions; Perceived lack of passion or engagement ## Questions - What does 'Belong Anywhere' mean to you in the context of leading an engineering team? - Describe a time you had to lead your team through significant change or uncertainty. - What is your vision for the future of engineering at Airbnb? - How do you develop your own leadership skills and stay motivated? - What are the most important qualities of a successful engineering leader at Airbnb? ## Preparation tips - Reflect on how your leadership style aligns with Airbnb's values. - Prepare to discuss your long-term career aspirations. - Think about how you inspire and motivate teams beyond just task completion. - Prepare thoughtful, high-level questions for the interviewer. ## Round 5: Final Discussion **Type:** Final Discussion/Wrap-up · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min Final discussion to address any remaining questions and confirm fit. This is typically a wrap-up call, often with the hiring manager or recruiter, to discuss any remaining questions, clarify expectations, and provide a final overview of the process. It's a chance for both sides to ensure there's a mutual understanding and excitement about the potential move. **Interviewers look for:** Confirmation of overall fit; Enthusiasm and engagement; Clarity on role expectations; Alignment with team and company goals **Evaluation criteria:** Final assessment of fit and potential; Alignment on expectations; Candidate's questions and engagement **Common rejection reasons:** Inability to articulate a clear vision for the team; Lack of alignment on strategic priorities; Poor cultural fit; Concerns about collaboration or influence; Overall lack of confidence in the candidate's ability to succeed at the M2 level ## Questions - Do you have any final questions for me about the role or the team? - What are your thoughts on the next steps in the process? ## Preparation tips - Prepare any final questions you may have. - Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and Airbnb.