What is the interview process for Software Engineering Manager at Autodesk?

This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager (M1 level) position at Autodesk, focusing on their leadership, technical, and people management capabilities. The 'Supervisor' title implies a focus on team oversight and project execution.

How many interview rounds does Autodesk have for Software Engineering Manager?

Autodesk has 4 interview rounds for the Software Engineering Manager position: HR Screening Call, Leadership & People Management Interview, Technical & Project Management Interview, Strategic & Managerial Interview.

Supervisor (M1) at Autodesk - Interview Guide

Evaluation

What they measure.

Leadership potential and style
Ability to motivate and develop engineers
Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Communication and interpersonal skills
Technical acumen and understanding of software development lifecycle

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

Thoroughly research Autodesk's mission, values, products, and recent news.
Understand the specific challenges and opportunities for a Software Engineering Manager at Autodesk.
Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
Review common software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban) and your experience with them.
Brush up on your understanding of system design principles, even if not directly coding.
Think about your leadership philosophy and how you foster a positive team culture.
Be ready to discuss your experience managing budgets, resources, and project timelines.
Consider how you handle conflict resolution and performance management within a team.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 05 phases

01 / 05

01

Phase 01 of 05

Company & Industry Research

Week 1: Autodesk Research (Culture, Products, Industry).

Week 1: Deep dive into Autodesk's company culture, values, and product portfolio. Understand the company's strategic goals and recent achievements. Research common challenges in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. Familiarize yourself with Autodesk's engineering principles and practices.

Questions

Commonly asked.

Describe your leadership philosophy and how you foster a high-performing team.
Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?
How do you prioritize competing demands and ensure your team stays focused?
Walk me through a project you managed from inception to completion. What were the key challenges and successes?
How do you handle underperforming team members?
What are your strategies for mentoring and developing engineers on your team?
Describe a time you had to make a difficult technical decision. What was your process?
How do you stay updated with industry trends and new technologies?
What are your thoughts on Agile methodologies and how do you implement them?
How do you balance the need for innovation with the need for stability and reliability?
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
How do you foster a culture of psychological safety within your team?
What are your expectations for this role and for Autodesk?
How do you manage technical debt?
Describe your experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

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Location

Remote/Hybrid

Interview focus

Remote team management strategiesCross-time zone collaborationAdaptability to hybrid work modelsCommunication tools and techniques for distributed teams

Common questions

How do you handle underperforming team members in a remote setting?
Describe a time you had to manage a project with distributed teams across different time zones.
What are your strategies for fostering team cohesion and collaboration in a hybrid work environment?

Tips

Highlight experience with remote collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro).
Be prepared to discuss how you ensure accountability and productivity in a remote or hybrid setup.
Emphasize your ability to build trust and rapport without physical proximity.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

Med

HR Screening · 45 min · Recruiter/HR

The initial HR screening call is designed to assess your overall fit for the role and Autodesk. The recruiter will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. They will also provide an overview of the interview process and answer any initial questions you may have about the company or the position. This round focuses on understanding your communication style and initial alignment with the company's culture and values.

What they look for

Positive attitudeClear communicationGenuine interest in AutodeskBasic alignment with company values

Evaluation

Communication clarity
Enthusiasm for the role and company
Basic understanding of the role's requirements
Cultural fit assessment

Sample questions

Tell me about yourself.
BehavioralIntroduction
Why are you interested in Autodesk?
MotivationCompany Fit
Why are you looking to leave your current role?
MotivationCareer Goals
What are your salary expectations?
Compensation
What do you know about the Software Engineering Manager role?
Role Understanding
Do you have any questions for me?
Engagement

Prep for this round

01Be prepared to talk about your resume and career journey.
02Clearly articulate why you are interested in Autodesk and this specific role.
03Research common behavioral questions and practice your answers.
04Have a few questions ready to ask the recruiter about the role, team, or company.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of clear leadership vision
×Inability to articulate past experiences effectively
×Poor communication skills
×Failure to demonstrate empathy or people-centric approach
×Lack of strategic thinking

High

People Management Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager/Senior Engineering Manager

This round focuses on your leadership and people management capabilities. You will be asked behavioral questions designed to elicit specific examples of how you have managed teams, mentored engineers, handled conflicts, and driven performance. The interviewer will assess your ability to build and maintain a high-performing, motivated, and engaged engineering team.

What they look for

Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teamsExperience in developing and retaining talentProactive approach to problem-solving within a team contextEmpathy and understanding of individual needsAbility to foster a positive and inclusive team environment

Evaluation

Leadership style and effectiveness
People management skills (hiring, mentoring, performance)
Conflict resolution abilities
Team building and motivation strategies
Communication and interpersonal skills

Sample questions

Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming engineer. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
People ManagementPerformance Management
How do you motivate your team during challenging projects or periods of change?
MotivationTeam Management
Tell me about a time you had a conflict within your team. How did you resolve it?
Conflict ResolutionTeam Dynamics
How do you approach hiring and onboarding new engineers?
HiringOnboarding
What is your strategy for developing the careers of your team members?
MentorshipCareer Development
Describe a situation where you had to deliver difficult feedback to a team member.
FeedbackCommunication
How do you ensure your team is aligned with the company's goals and vision?
AlignmentVision
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Self-AwarenessManagement Style

Prep for this round

01Prepare detailed examples using the STAR method for common leadership scenarios (e.g., managing underperformance, resolving team conflicts, motivating a team).
02Think about your philosophy on mentorship and career development for engineers.
03Be ready to discuss how you foster a culture of collaboration and psychological safety.
04Understand how you handle difficult conversations and performance feedback.

Common rejection reasons

×Inability to provide specific examples using STAR method
×Lack of depth in leadership experience
×Poor conflict resolution skills
×Difficulty in articulating team management strategies
×Not demonstrating empathy or understanding of team dynamics

High

Technical & Project Management Interview · 60 min · Senior Engineering Manager/Director

This round assesses your project management, technical acumen, and ability to drive execution. You'll discuss how you plan, manage, and deliver software projects, including your approach to technical challenges, risk assessment, and resource allocation. The interviewer will evaluate your understanding of the software development lifecycle and your ability to lead a team through complex projects.

What they look for

Strong understanding of project management methodologiesAbility to make sound technical judgmentsProactive approach to identifying and mitigating risksClear communication of technical conceptsFocus on delivering quality software efficiently

Evaluation

Project planning and execution
Technical decision-making and problem-solving
Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC)
Risk management and mitigation
Ability to drive projects to completion

Sample questions

Walk me through a complex project you managed. What was your role, how did you plan it, and what were the key outcomes?
Project ManagementExecution
How do you handle scope creep in a project?
Project ManagementScope Management
Describe a time a project was significantly delayed. What caused it, and how did you address it?
Risk ManagementProblem Solving
What metrics do you use to track team performance and project progress?
MetricsPerformance Tracking
How do you ensure the quality of the software produced by your team?
Quality AssuranceBest Practices
Tell me about a challenging technical decision you had to make as a manager. What were the options, and why did you choose the path you did?
Technical Decision MakingProblem Solving
How do you manage technical debt?
Technical DebtMaintenance
What is your experience with CI/CD pipelines?
DevOpsAutomation

Prep for this round

01Prepare examples of projects you've managed, focusing on planning, execution, challenges, and outcomes.
02Review Agile methodologies and your experience implementing them.
03Think about how you handle project risks, dependencies, and scope changes.
04Be ready to discuss technical trade-offs and decision-making processes.
05Understand how you ensure code quality, testing, and deployment processes.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of strategic thinking
×Poor project planning and execution examples
×Inability to articulate technical decisions or trade-offs
×Difficulty in managing risks or dependencies
×Not demonstrating a clear understanding of the software development lifecycle

High

Managerial/Director Interview · 45 min · Director of Engineering/VP

In this final round, you'll meet with a senior leader to discuss your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to align your team's efforts with Autodesk's overall business objectives. You'll explore your understanding of the market, customer needs, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams like Product Management and Design. This is also an opportunity for you to ask high-level questions about the company's direction.

What they look for

Ability to think strategically about the team's contribution to business goalsUnderstanding of the broader product and business contextExperience working with product management, design, and other stakeholdersCustomer-centric mindsetProactive engagement and thoughtful questions

Evaluation

Strategic thinking and vision
Business acumen and understanding of Autodesk's market
Cross-functional collaboration
Customer focus
Problem-solving and decision-making at a higher level

Sample questions

How would you define success for an engineering team at Autodesk?
VisionSuccess Metrics
How do you ensure your team's work is aligned with product strategy and business goals?
AlignmentStrategy
Describe your experience working with Product Managers. How do you collaborate to define roadmaps?
CollaborationProduct Management
What are your thoughts on the future of the AEC industry and Autodesk's role in it?
Industry TrendsStrategic Thinking
How do you balance technical innovation with delivering on product commitments?
InnovationExecution
Tell me about a time you had to influence stakeholders outside of your direct team.
InfluenceStakeholder Management
What are the biggest challenges you foresee for this role and how would you address them?
Problem SolvingStrategy
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Career Goals

Prep for this round

01Research Autodesk's business strategy, target markets, and key competitors.
02Think about how your team's work contributes to the company's success.
03Prepare examples of how you've collaborated effectively with Product Management, UX/UI, and other departments.
04Consider the challenges and opportunities facing Autodesk and the AEC industry.
05Formulate thoughtful, strategic questions for the senior leader.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of strategic vision for the team/product
×Inability to align team's work with business objectives
×Poor understanding of customer needs or market dynamics
×Failure to demonstrate collaboration with cross-functional teams
×Not asking insightful questions

DSA

Coding questions at Autodesk.

Frequently reported on Autodesk loops

View all at Autodesk

Supervisor

What they measure.

How to prepare.

Company & Industry Research

Leadership & People Management

Project Management & Execution

Technical Acumen & System Design

Final Preparation & Mock Interviews

Commonly asked.

Regional differences.

Remote/Hybrid

On-site (e.g., San Francisco, Boston)

Round-by-round.

Coding questions at Autodesk.

More at Autodesk.