# Software Engineering Manager
**Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** Manager
**Company:** [Avalara](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/avalara)
**Difficulty:** High
**Salary:** US$170000 - US$220000
**Experience:** 7 - 15
**Timeline:** ~14 days
The Software Engineering Manager interview at Avalara assesses a candidate's leadership, technical expertise, people management skills, and strategic thinking. The process is designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to lead engineering teams, drive technical excellence, foster a positive team culture, and contribute to Avalara's overall business objectives.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/avalara/manager-software-engineering-manager
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## Overall evaluation

- Leadership and Management
- People Development
- Technical Acumen
- Business and Strategy

## Questions asked

- Tell me about your leadership philosophy.
- How do you motivate your team during challenging times?
- Describe a time you had to manage a conflict between team members.
- How do you ensure the technical quality and scalability of the software your team produces?
- What is your experience with hiring and onboarding engineers?
- How do you handle underperforming team members?
- Describe a complex technical problem you solved.
- How do you balance competing priorities and manage stakeholder expectations?
- What are your thoughts on the current state of cloud computing and its impact on software development?
- How do you foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within your team?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Deeply understand Avalara's mission, values, and products.
- Review common Software Engineering Manager interview questions, focusing on leadership, technical, and behavioral aspects.
- Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to illustrate your experience.
- Brush up on system design principles, scalability, and architectural patterns.
- Understand Avalara's engineering culture and practices.
- Research the specific challenges and opportunities in the industry and for Avalara.
- Practice articulating your leadership philosophy and management style.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to hiring, performance management, and team development.
- Think about how you would contribute to Avalara's strategic goals.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Company & Foundational Knowledge","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on understanding Avalara's business, products, and company culture. Review their investor relations materials, press releases, and engineering blog. Revisit core software engineering principles, data structures, algorithms, and system design concepts. Prepare STAR method examples for common leadership and technical scenarios.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Avalara business & culture, core SWE principles, STAR examples."}
- {"title":"Management & Technical Leadership","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into people management strategies, including hiring, performance reviews, conflict resolution, and career development. Study agile methodologies and project management best practices. Prepare to discuss your approach to technical leadership, architectural decisions, and ensuring code quality and scalability.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: People management, agile, technical leadership."}
- {"title":"Practice & Refinement","longDescription":"Week 5: Conduct mock interviews focusing on behavioral questions, situational judgment, and technical problem-solving. Refine your answers and ensure they are concise, impactful, and tailored to the Software Engineering Manager role at Avalara. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers.","shortDescription":"Week 5: Mock interviews, refining answers, preparing questions."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Seattle, WA","differences":{"tips":["Research Avalara's presence and recent news in this specific region.","Be prepared to discuss how your leadership style aligns with the company culture in this location.","Highlight any experience working with distributed or remote teams if applicable to the role's location."],"interviewFocus":["Understanding of local market talent pool and compensation trends.","Adaptability to regional business priorities and challenges.","Experience with specific regulatory or compliance requirements relevant to the region."],"commonQuestions":["Describe a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?","How do you foster innovation within your team?","What are your strategies for attracting and retaining top engineering talent in this market?","Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult technical decision that impacted the team. What was the outcome?","How do you balance delivering on short-term goals with long-term technical strategy?"]}}
- {"location":"London, UK","differences":{"tips":["Familiarize yourself with Avalara's European operations and strategic goals.","Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams across different time zones and cultures.","Emphasize your ability to adapt to diverse working styles and communication preferences."],"interviewFocus":["Understanding of the European market and its specific business needs.","Experience in managing international teams and cross-cultural communication.","Familiarity with GDPR and other relevant European regulations."],"commonQuestions":["How do you approach performance management and career development for your engineers?","Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict within your team. What was your approach?","What metrics do you use to measure the success of your team and projects?","How do you ensure your team stays up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices?","Tell me about a time you had to manage a project with ambiguous requirements. How did you proceed?"]}}

## Round 1: HR Phone Screen
**Type:** HR Screening · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Initial call to assess basic qualifications, motivation, and cultural fit.
This initial screening call with HR or a recruiter is designed to assess your overall fit for the role and Avalara. They will review your resume, discuss your career aspirations, and gauge your understanding of the position. Be prepared to talk about why you are interested in Avalara and this specific role, and to provide high-level examples of your leadership experience.
**Interviewers look for:** Enthusiasm for the role and company.; Clear and concise communication.; Basic understanding of management responsibilities.; Alignment with Avalara's core values.
**Evaluation criteria:** Initial assessment of communication skills.; Understanding of basic leadership principles.; Cultural fit assessment.; Motivation for the role and Avalara.
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear leadership vision.; Inability to articulate a coherent management philosophy.; Poor communication or interpersonal skills.; Failure to demonstrate empathy or understanding of team dynamics.
## Questions

- Tell me about yourself and your career progression.
- Why are you interested in this Software Engineering Manager role at Avalara?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What do you know about Avalara?

## Preparation tips

- Research Avalara's mission, values, and recent achievements.
- Prepare a concise summary of your career and why you're looking for a management role.
- Be ready to articulate your leadership style and what motivates you.
- Have questions prepared about the role, team, and company culture.

## Round 2: Technical Deep Dive
**Type:** Technical Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Assesses technical depth, system design, and problem-solving skills.
This round focuses on your technical expertise and ability to lead engineering efforts. You will be asked to discuss your experience with system design, architecture, and solving complex technical challenges. Expect questions related to scalability, performance, reliability, and best practices in software development. You might also be asked to whiteboard a solution to a technical problem.
**Interviewers look for:** Strong understanding of distributed systems and scalability.; Proficiency in modern software development practices.; Ability to make sound technical decisions.; Experience in leading technical initiatives.; Mentorship capabilities.
**Evaluation criteria:** Technical depth and breadth.; System design and architectural skills.; Problem-solving approach.; Understanding of software development best practices.; Ability to mentor and guide engineers on technical matters.
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of depth in technical problem-solving.; Inability to design scalable and robust systems.; Poor understanding of software development lifecycle and best practices.; Difficulty in explaining technical concepts clearly.
## Questions

- Design a system for [specific Avalara product feature, e.g., real-time tax calculation].
- How would you ensure the scalability and reliability of a microservices architecture?
- Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.
- What are your thoughts on CI/CD and DevOps practices?

## Preparation tips

- Review system design principles, common architectural patterns, and trade-offs.
- Practice designing scalable systems for various use cases.
- Brush up on data structures, algorithms, and their application in real-world scenarios.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific technologies and programming languages relevant to Avalara.
- Think about how you would guide your team through technical challenges.

## Round 3: People Management & Leadership
**Type:** Managerial Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Evaluates people management, leadership, and strategic alignment.
This interview focuses on your people management and leadership capabilities. You'll be asked to share examples of how you've managed teams, handled performance issues, resolved conflicts, and fostered a positive team culture. The interviewer will assess your ability to develop talent, set clear goals, and drive team performance in alignment with Avalara's strategic objectives.
**Interviewers look for:** Proven ability to lead and inspire teams.; Experience in mentoring and developing engineers.; Strong conflict resolution and communication skills.; Strategic mindset and ability to align team efforts with business objectives.; Empathy and understanding of team dynamics.
**Evaluation criteria:** People management skills.; Leadership effectiveness.; Conflict resolution and team building.; Performance management and career development.; Strategic thinking and alignment with business goals.
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to demonstrate effective people management strategies.; Lack of experience in performance management and career development.; Poor conflict resolution skills.; Difficulty in articulating a clear vision for team growth and success.; Failure to align team goals with business objectives.
## Questions

- Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming engineer. What steps did you take?
- How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity on your team?
- Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult feedback to a team member.
- How do you prioritize work for your team when faced with multiple competing demands?
- What is your approach to career development for your engineers?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for situations involving team management, conflict resolution, performance reviews, and career development.
- Think about your leadership philosophy and how you empower your team.
- Be ready to discuss how you set goals and measure team success.
- Consider how you foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
- Understand how to balance team needs with business priorities.

## Round 4: Strategic Alignment & Business Vision
**Type:** Strategic & Business Acumen · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 45 min
Focuses on strategic thinking, business alignment, and stakeholder management.
In this round, you'll engage with a senior leader to discuss your strategic thinking, business acumen, and vision for an engineering team. Expect questions about how you align technical roadmaps with business goals, manage stakeholders, and drive innovation. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the broader business context and your ability to lead at a higher level.
**Interviewers look for:** A clear vision for how engineering contributes to business success.; Ability to think strategically and plan for the future.; Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.; Experience in driving technical and organizational initiatives.; Understanding of Avalara's market and competitive landscape.
**Evaluation criteria:** Strategic thinking and planning.; Business acumen.; Stakeholder management.; Vision for the engineering organization.; Ability to drive change and influence.
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of strategic vision.; Inability to connect technical decisions to business outcomes.; Poor stakeholder management.; Misalignment with Avalara's long-term goals.; Insufficient experience in driving organizational change.
## Questions

- How would you align your team's roadmap with Avalara's strategic business goals for the next 1-3 years?
- Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing priorities.
- What is your vision for a high-performing engineering team at Avalara?
- How do you stay informed about industry trends and incorporate them into your team's strategy?

## Preparation tips

- Understand Avalara's business strategy, market position, and key challenges.
- Think about how engineering can directly contribute to achieving business objectives.
- Prepare examples of strategic initiatives you've led and their impact.
- Consider how you would foster innovation and continuous improvement within a larger engineering organization.
- Be ready to discuss your long-term vision for an engineering team.

## Round 5: Cultural Fit & Final Discussion
**Type:** Cultural Fit / Final Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Final discussion to assess cultural fit and answer candidate questions.
This is often a final round or a chance to meet with potential peers or the hiring manager again to ensure a good overall fit. It's a more informal discussion where you can ask any remaining questions and further explore the team dynamics and day-to-day responsibilities. It's also an opportunity for the interviewer to get a final read on your personality and how you might integrate into the team.
**Interviewers look for:** Enthusiasm and genuine interest in Avalara.; Alignment with company culture and values.; Thoughtful questions that demonstrate engagement and understanding.; Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
**Evaluation criteria:** Cultural fit.; Alignment with Avalara's values.; Candidate's questions and engagement.; Overall impression and enthusiasm.
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of alignment with company values.; Poor cultural fit.; Inability to articulate how they would contribute to the team's success.; Asking questions that indicate a lack of research or interest.
## Questions

- What are the biggest challenges facing the engineering team right now?
- Can you describe the team culture and how collaboration typically happens?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth within this role?
- What does success look like for a Software Engineering Manager in this role after 6 months?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, culture, and day-to-day work.
- Reflect on the key aspects of the role and how you can contribute.
- Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
- Reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity.