# Software Engineering Manager
**Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** Manager
**Company:** [Avito](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/avito)
**Difficulty:** High
**Salary:** US$140000 - US$180000
**Experience:** 5 - 10
**Timeline:** ~14 days
This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager position at Avito. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/avito/manager-software-engineering-manager
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## Overall evaluation

- Technical Acumen
- People Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Cultural Fit & Communication

## Questions asked

- Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?
- Describe your approach to hiring and building a high-performing engineering team.
- How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
- What are your strategies for managing technical debt and ensuring code quality?
- How do you balance delivering on short-term goals with long-term strategic objectives?
- Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision that impacted your team. What was the outcome?
- How do you mentor and develop engineers on your team?
- What is your experience with agile methodologies, and how do you adapt them to your team's needs?
- How do you handle underperforming team members?
- What are your thoughts on the current state of technology in our industry?
- How do you stay updated with the latest technological advancements?
- Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from it?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Thoroughly review your resume and be prepared to discuss specific examples of your accomplishments.
- Understand Avito's mission, values, and recent product developments.
- Research common software engineering management challenges and best practices.
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.
- Practice articulating your leadership philosophy and management style.
- Familiarize yourself with common behavioral interview questions and the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Company & Self-Assessment","longDescription":"Week 1-2: Deep dive into Avito's business, products, and engineering culture. Review your past projects and identify key achievements and learnings relevant to a management role. Prepare STAR method examples for common leadership and behavioral scenarios.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Avito research, resume review, STAR method practice."}
- {"title":"People Management Skills","longDescription":"Week 3-4: Focus on people management principles. Study topics like performance reviews, conflict resolution, coaching, delegation, and building high-performing teams. Read relevant books or articles on engineering leadership.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: People management principles, leadership development."}
- {"title":"Technical & Strategic Acumen","longDescription":"Week 5-6: Refresh your understanding of software development lifecycle, agile methodologies, system design principles, and technical debt management. Be prepared to discuss technical challenges and solutions at a high level.","shortDescription":"Weeks 5-6: SDLC, Agile, System Design refresh."}
- {"title":"Final Preparation & Alignment","longDescription":"Week 7: Practice mock interviews, focusing on articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers. Refine your understanding of Avito's strategic goals and how a management role contributes to them.","shortDescription":"Week 7: Mock interviews, question preparation, strategic alignment."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote","differences":{"tips":["Highlight experience with distributed teams and remote work tools.","Be prepared to discuss strategies for maintaining team morale and productivity in a remote environment.","Emphasize your ability to build strong relationships and foster a positive team culture virtually."],"interviewFocus":["Remote team management strategies","Cross-time zone collaboration","Virtual communication and engagement"],"commonQuestions":["How do you handle underperforming engineers in a remote setting?","Describe a time you had to manage a conflict between team members in different time zones.","What are your strategies for fostering team cohesion and collaboration remotely?"]}}
- {"location":"Office-based (e.g., Moscow, St. Petersburg)","differences":{"tips":["Showcase your ability to navigate complex organizational structures and build strong relationships with stakeholders.","Provide examples of how you've driven successful projects and delivered results in an office setting.","Emphasize your understanding of agile principles and your experience in fostering a culture of continuous improvement."],"interviewFocus":["On-site team dynamics","Cross-functional collaboration","Agile methodologies and execution"],"commonQuestions":["How do you manage stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced, on-site environment?","Describe a time you had to resolve a conflict between engineering and other departments.","What are your strategies for driving innovation and execution within an office-based team?"]}}

## Round 1: HR Screening Call
**Type:** HR Screening · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Initial screening call with HR to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
This initial screening call with an HR Recruiter is to assess your overall fit for the role and Avito. They will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and the position. Be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience and why you are interested in this specific opportunity.
**Interviewers look for:** Enthusiasm and positive attitude; Clear and concise communication; Alignment with Avito's culture and values; Genuine interest in the role
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication skills; Cultural alignment; Motivation for the role; Understanding of Avito's values
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear communication; Inability to provide specific examples; Poor cultural fit; Lack of enthusiasm for the role or company
## Questions

- Tell me about yourself and your career progression.
- Why are you interested in Avito and this specific role?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
- What are your salary expectations?

## Preparation tips

- Research Avito's mission, values, and recent news.
- Prepare to talk about your career journey and why you're looking for a management role.
- Be ready to articulate your understanding of the Software Engineering Manager role.
- Have questions prepared about the company culture, team, and the role itself.

## Round 2: Technical Deep Dive
**Type:** Technical Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Assesses technical depth, system design skills, and problem-solving abilities.
This round focuses on your technical expertise and your ability to lead technical discussions and decisions. You will be asked to discuss your experience with system design, architecture, and problem-solving. Expect questions that probe your understanding of scalability, performance, and maintainability. You might also be asked to whiteboard a solution to a complex technical problem.
**Interviewers look for:** Strong understanding of software development principles; Ability to design scalable and robust systems; Sound judgment in technical decision-making; Experience in leading technical initiatives
**Evaluation criteria:** Technical leadership capabilities; Problem-solving methodology; System design and architecture knowledge; Ability to guide technical decisions
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of technical depth; Inability to articulate technical solutions clearly; Poor problem-solving approach; Weak system design skills
## Questions

- Design a system for [specific Avito product/feature]. Discuss scalability, availability, and data consistency.
- Describe a challenging technical problem you solved as a manager. What was your approach?
- How do you ensure the quality and maintainability of the codebase within your team?
- Discuss your experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture.

## Preparation tips

- Review fundamental computer science concepts.
- Practice system design problems, focusing on scalability, reliability, and trade-offs.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with different technologies and architectural patterns.
- Think about how you would guide a team through complex technical challenges.

## Round 3: People Management & Leadership
**Type:** Managerial Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Focuses on people management, leadership, and strategic alignment with the Hiring Manager.
In this interview, the Hiring Manager will delve into your people management and leadership capabilities. They will assess your experience in building and managing engineering teams, fostering a positive work environment, and driving team performance. Expect behavioral questions focused on your leadership style, conflict resolution, delegation, and strategic decision-making. You'll also discuss how you align team efforts with broader business goals.
**Interviewers look for:** Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate teams; Experience in performance management and career development; Strong communication and interpersonal skills; Strategic vision and ability to align team goals with business objectives
**Evaluation criteria:** People management philosophy; Leadership effectiveness; Team building and development; Conflict resolution skills; Strategic thinking and execution
**Common rejection reasons:** Poor people management skills; Inability to provide concrete examples of leadership; Lack of strategic thinking; Difficulty in handling conflict or difficult conversations
## Questions

- Describe your leadership style and how you adapt it to different situations.
- How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity within your team?
- Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict between team members. What was your approach and the outcome?
- How do you set goals and measure the success of your team?
- Describe your process for hiring engineers. What do you look for?

## Preparation tips

- Reflect on your leadership experiences and prepare specific examples using the STAR method.
- Think about your philosophy on team building, motivation, and performance management.
- Be ready to discuss how you handle difficult conversations and conflicts within a team.
- Prepare to talk about your strategic thinking and how you translate business goals into team objectives.

## Round 4: Collaboration & Cultural Alignment
**Type:** Cross-functional / Peer Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Assesses collaboration, cultural fit, and alignment with peer managers.
This round often involves meeting with other Engineering Managers or Directors to assess your ability to collaborate across teams and your alignment with Avito's broader engineering vision. They will likely ask about your experience working with other departments, managing cross-functional projects, and your approach to leadership within a larger organizational context. This is also a good opportunity to ask more in-depth questions about the engineering organization.
**Interviewers look for:** Alignment with Avito's core values; Ability to collaborate effectively with peers and stakeholders; A clear vision for the team and its contribution to the company; Enthusiasm and long-term commitment
**Evaluation criteria:** Cultural alignment; Collaboration and cross-functional interaction; Vision and strategic thinking; Overall fit with the team and organization
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of alignment with company values; Poor collaboration skills; Inability to articulate vision; Mismatch in expectations regarding role scope
## Questions

- How do you collaborate with product managers and other stakeholders?
- Describe a time you had to influence a decision outside of your direct control.
- What are your thoughts on building a strong engineering culture?
- How do you prioritize work when faced with competing demands from different teams or projects?

## Preparation tips

- Consider how your management style complements or differs from other leaders.
- Prepare examples of successful cross-functional collaborations.
- Think about how you would contribute to the overall engineering culture at Avito.
- Be ready to discuss your vision for a software engineering team.