# Supervisor
**Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** M1
**Company:** [Autodesk](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/autodesk)
**Difficulty:** High
**Salary:** US$170000 - US$220000
**Experience:** 5 - 10
**Timeline:** ~14 days
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.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/autodesk/m1-software-engineering-manager
---
## Overall evaluation

- Leadership & People Management
- Project & Execution Management
- Business Acumen & Strategic Alignment
- Technical & Problem Solving

## Questions 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).

## Preparation tips

### lists

- 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.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Company & Industry Research","longDescription":"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.","shortDescription":"Week 1: Autodesk Research (Culture, Products, Industry)."}
- {"title":"Leadership & People Management","longDescription":"Week 2: Focus on leadership and people management. Review your past experiences in hiring, mentoring, performance reviews, conflict resolution, and team building. Prepare examples using the STAR method for behavioral questions related to these areas. Study different leadership styles and their effectiveness.","shortDescription":"Week 2: Leadership & People Management (STAR Method, Leadership Styles)."}
- {"title":"Project Management & Execution","longDescription":"Week 3: Concentrate on project management and execution. Refresh your knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), project planning, risk management, and resource allocation. Prepare examples of successful project delivery, including challenges faced and how they were overcome.","shortDescription":"Week 3: Project Management (Agile, Scrum, Risk Management)."}
- {"title":"Technical Acumen & System Design","longDescription":"Week 4: Prepare for technical and system design discussions. While you won't be coding, you should be able to discuss architectural decisions, trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations relevant to Autodesk's software. Review common technical challenges in cloud-based software development and distributed systems.","shortDescription":"Week 4: Technical Acumen (System Design, Scalability, Cloud)."}
- {"title":"Final Preparation & Mock Interviews","longDescription":"Week 5: Finalize your preparation. Practice answering common interview questions, including behavioral and situational questions. Refine your understanding of the role and how your skills align with Autodesk's needs. Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewers.","shortDescription":"Week 5: Mock Interviews & Final Prep (Behavioral, Situational, Questions)."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote/Hybrid","differences":{"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."],"interviewFocus":["Remote team management strategies","Cross-time zone collaboration","Adaptability to hybrid work models","Communication tools and techniques for distributed teams"],"commonQuestions":["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?"]}}
- {"location":"On-site (e.g., San Francisco, Boston)","differences":{"tips":["Showcase your ability to foster a positive and productive in-office culture.","Provide examples of how you've effectively managed relationships with on-site stakeholders.","Discuss your experience with in-person agile ceremonies and team events."],"interviewFocus":["On-site team dynamics","Stakeholder management in a co-located setting","Agile methodologies in an office environment","Direct communication and feedback"],"commonQuestions":["How do you manage stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced, on-site environment?","Describe your experience with in-person team building activities.","How do you ensure efficient communication and decision-making within an office-based team?"]}}

## Round 1: HR Screening Call
**Type:** HR Screening · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Initial call with HR to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Positive attitude; Clear communication; Genuine interest in Autodesk; Basic alignment with company values
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication clarity; Enthusiasm for the role and company; Basic understanding of the role's requirements; Cultural fit assessment
**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
## Questions

- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in Autodesk?
- Why are you looking to leave your current role?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What do you know about the Software Engineering Manager role?
- Do you have any questions for me?

## Preparation tips

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

## Round 2: Leadership & People Management Interview
**Type:** People Management Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
In-depth discussion on leadership, team management, and people development.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams; Experience in developing and retaining talent; Proactive approach to problem-solving within a team context; Empathy and understanding of individual needs; Ability to foster a positive and inclusive team environment
**Evaluation criteria:** Leadership style and effectiveness; People management skills (hiring, mentoring, performance); Conflict resolution abilities; Team building and motivation strategies; Communication and interpersonal skills
**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
## Questions

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

## Preparation tips

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

## Round 3: Technical & Project Management Interview
**Type:** Technical & Project Management Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Focus on project execution, technical decision-making, and SDLC understanding.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Strong understanding of project management methodologies; Ability to make sound technical judgments; Proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks; Clear communication of technical concepts; Focus on delivering quality software efficiently
**Evaluation criteria:** 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
**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
## Questions

- Walk me through a complex project you managed. What was your role, how did you plan it, and what were the key outcomes?
- How do you handle scope creep in a project?
- Describe a time a project was significantly delayed. What caused it, and how did you address it?
- What metrics do you use to track team performance and project progress?
- How do you ensure the quality of the software produced by your team?
- 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?
- How do you manage technical debt?
- What is your experience with CI/CD pipelines?

## Preparation tips

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

## Round 4: Strategic & Managerial Interview
**Type:** Managerial/Director Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 45 min
Discussion on strategic thinking, business alignment, and cross-functional collaboration.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Ability to think strategically about the team's contribution to business goals; Understanding of the broader product and business context; Experience working with product management, design, and other stakeholders; Customer-centric mindset; Proactive engagement and thoughtful questions
**Evaluation criteria:** 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
**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
## Questions

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

## Preparation tips

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