This interview process for a Software Engineering Manager (M3 level) at Autodesk is designed to assess leadership potential, technical acumen, and strategic thinking. It involves multiple rounds to evaluate a candidate's ability to manage teams, drive technical excellence, and contribute to Autodesk's overall goals.
Rounds·5
Timeline·~14d
Experience·8 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$170000 - US$220000
Interview time·270 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Autodesk company research, personal career review, AEC industry overview.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into Autodesk's company culture, products, and strategic initiatives. Understand the company's market position and key competitors. Review your own career achievements and identify key projects and leadership experiences that align with the M3 role. Focus on understanding the challenges and opportunities within the AEC industry.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: Leadership and people management skills, STAR method practice, leadership philosophy.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on leadership and people management. Prepare examples of how you've mentored engineers, managed performance, resolved conflicts, and built high-performing teams. Study common leadership frameworks and best practices. Practice articulating your leadership philosophy.
Phase 03 of 05
Weeks 5-6: System design, scalability, cloud, SDLC, technical problem-solving.
Weeks 5-6: Refresh your technical knowledge. Review system design principles, scalability, cloud technologies, and common software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban). Be prepared to discuss technical challenges you've faced and how you approached them. Consider how technology trends impact the AEC industry.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 7: Strategic thinking, business alignment, product management, resource allocation.
Week 7: Focus on strategic thinking and business acumen. Understand how engineering contributes to business goals. Prepare examples of strategic decision-making, project prioritization, and resource allocation. Research current trends and challenges in software product management.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 8: Mock interviews, behavioral question practice, question preparation.
Week 8: Mock interviews and final preparation. Practice answering common interview questions, especially behavioral ones using the STAR method. Refine your answers and ensure they are concise and impactful. 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 Screening · 45 min · Recruiter/HR
The initial HR screening call is designed to assess your overall fit with Autodesk's culture and values, your motivation for the role, and to confirm basic qualifications and salary expectations. This round focuses on understanding your career aspirations and ensuring alignment with the company's mission.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Why are you interested in Autodesk and this specific role?
What are your salary expectations?
Describe your ideal work environment.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical & System Design · 60 min · Senior Engineering Manager/Director
This technical interview focuses on your ability to lead engineering teams from a technical perspective. You'll be asked to discuss your experience with system design, architecture, scalability, and problem-solving. The interviewer will assess your technical depth and your capacity to guide a team through complex technical challenges.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a scalable system for [Autodesk Product Feature].
Describe a time you had to make a significant technical trade-off. What was the outcome?
How do you ensure your team follows best practices for code quality and testing?
What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architectures?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management & Leadership · 60 min · Director of Engineering/VP of Engineering
This round focuses on your people management and leadership capabilities. You will be asked to share specific examples of how you have managed, mentored, and developed engineers. The interviewer will assess your ability to build and lead high-performing teams, handle performance issues, and foster a collaborative and inclusive environment.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming engineer. What steps did you take?
How do you foster a culture of innovation and psychological safety within your team?
Tell me about a time you had to resolve a conflict between team members.
How do you approach career development and mentorship for your engineers?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Strategic & Business Acumen · 60 min · Director/VP of Product Management, Senior Engineering Leader
This interview focuses on your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to collaborate with product management and other stakeholders. You'll discuss how you align engineering efforts with business goals, contribute to product strategy, and manage cross-functional relationships. The interviewer wants to understand your vision for the team and its contribution to Autodesk's success.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you ensure your team's work is aligned with the company's overall business strategy?
Describe your experience working with product managers. How do you handle disagreements?
What is your vision for the future of [relevant Autodesk product area]?
How do you prioritize competing demands from different stakeholders?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Executive/Final Interview · 45 min · VP of Engineering/CTO
This final round is with a senior leader (VP or CTO) to assess your executive presence, strategic vision, and overall fit for the M3 role at Autodesk. They will want to understand your long-term perspective on technology, team building, and how you can contribute to the company's strategic objectives at a higher level. This is an opportunity to ask high-level questions about the company's direction.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your long-term vision for an engineering team at Autodesk?
How do you see technology evolving in the AEC space, and how should Autodesk adapt?
What are the most critical qualities of a successful engineering leader in today's market?
Do you have any questions for me about the company's direction or my role?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Autodesk loops
Other guides
