This interview process is designed to assess candidates for the Software Engineering Manager (M90) role at Atlassian. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·5
Timeline·~14d
Experience·8 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·240 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Atlassian culture, values, products. Resume review. STAR method prep.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Atlassian's culture, values, and products. Understand their business model and competitive landscape. Review your resume and identify key achievements and leadership experiences. Begin preparing STAR method examples for common management scenarios (e.g., conflict resolution, performance issues, project delivery).
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: People management principles (performance, coaching, hiring, conflict).
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into people management principles. Study topics like performance management, coaching, mentoring, hiring, team dynamics, and conflict resolution. Read articles and books on effective leadership. Prepare examples related to these areas.
Phase 03 of 05
Weeks 5-6: System design, architecture, scalability. Technical strategy.
Weeks 5-6: Refresh your knowledge of software architecture, system design, and scalability. Practice designing complex systems and discussing trade-offs. Consider common challenges in distributed systems and cloud-native architectures. Prepare to discuss technical strategy and roadmap planning.
Phase 04 of 05
Weeks 7-8: Strategic thinking, product sense, business acumen. Prioritization.
Weeks 7-8: Focus on strategic thinking, product management basics, and business acumen. Understand how engineering contributes to business goals. Prepare to discuss project prioritization, roadmap development, and stakeholder management. Practice articulating your vision and strategy.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 9: Mock interviews. Refine STAR stories. Prepare questions.
Week 9: Mock interviews focusing on all aspects covered. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Refine your STAR stories and ensure they highlight leadership impact. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
HR/Recruiter Screen · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with a recruiter aims to understand your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying to Atlassian. They will assess your general fit for the role and the company culture, covering your experience, leadership style, and why you're interested in this specific opportunity. Be prepared to discuss your resume highlights and your understanding of the Software Engineering Manager role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your career journey.
Why are you interested in Atlassian and this specific role?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Describe your leadership style.
What are your salary expectations?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview / System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round focuses on your technical expertise and system design capabilities. You'll be asked to discuss your experience with designing scalable, reliable, and maintainable systems. Expect questions about architectural patterns, trade-offs, performance considerations, and distributed systems. You might also be asked to whiteboard a system design problem.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Twitter's news feed.
How would you design a rate limiter?
Discuss the trade-offs between microservices and monolithic architectures.
How do you approach performance optimization in a large-scale application?
Explain the CAP theorem and its implications.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager / Director of Engineering
This interview focuses on your people management and leadership capabilities. You'll be asked behavioral questions designed to elicit specific examples of how you've managed teams, developed individuals, handled conflicts, and driven performance. The interviewer will assess your ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you had to manage a conflict between team members. How did you resolve it?
How do you motivate your team during challenging projects?
Tell me about a time you had to let go of an underperforming employee. What was your process?
How do you delegate tasks effectively?
What is your philosophy on career development for your team members?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Strategic & Product Thinking · 45 min · Director/VP of Engineering or Product
This round assesses your strategic thinking, product sense, and ability to align engineering efforts with business objectives. You'll discuss how you prioritize initiatives, manage roadmaps, collaborate with product management and other stakeholders, and contribute to the overall business strategy. Expect questions about your experience in driving product success through engineering leadership.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you prioritize features when there are competing demands from product, sales, and engineering?
Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a particular technical direction.
How do you ensure your team understands the 'why' behind the work they are doing?
What is your approach to managing technical debt?
How do you collaborate with Product Management?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Executive/Final Interview · 45 min · Senior Leader (e.g., VP of Engineering, CTO)
This final interview is typically with a senior leader at Atlassian. It's a chance to discuss your broader leadership philosophy, strategic vision, and how you see yourself contributing to the company at a higher level. They will assess your overall fit, executive presence, and potential for growth within the organization. Be prepared to discuss your long-term career aspirations and your vision for engineering leadership.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your long-term vision for an engineering organization?
How do you foster a culture of accountability?
What are the biggest challenges facing engineering leaders today?
How would you contribute to Atlassian's strategic goals?
What questions do you have for me?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Atlassian loops
Other guides
