This interview process is designed to assess candidates for the Software Engineering Manager (Team Manager I) role at Box. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$170000 - US$220000
Interview time·195 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 03 phases
01 / 03Phase 01 of 03
Weeks 1-2: Company research, core SE principles, management frameworks, STAR method practice.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into Box's company culture, values, and product suite. Review core software engineering principles and common management frameworks (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Kanban). Start preparing STAR method examples for common behavioral questions related to leadership, conflict resolution, and team building.
Phase 02 of 03
Weeks 3-4: Technical leadership, system design review, architectural decision-making, mentoring strategies.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on technical leadership and system design. Review common system design interview topics and practice explaining complex technical concepts. Prepare to discuss your experience in making architectural decisions and managing technical roadmaps. Consider how you would mentor engineers on technical growth.
Phase 03 of 03
Week 5: Mock interviews, answer refinement, question preparation.
Week 5: Practice mock interviews focusing on both behavioral and technical aspects. Refine your answers and ensure they are concise and impactful. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company.
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 Screen · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial round is conducted by an HR representative or recruiter to assess your overall fit with Box's culture and values. They will ask about your career aspirations, motivation for applying, and general experience. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and the role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Why are you interested in Box?
Tell me about your management style.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical And Project Management Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager
This round focuses on your technical leadership and project management capabilities. The hiring manager will delve into your experience managing software development projects, your approach to technical challenges, and how you guide your team's technical direction. Expect questions about past projects, technical decision-making, and your understanding of software architecture and best practices.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you had to make a significant technical decision for your team. What was the outcome?
How do you ensure the quality and maintainability of the code produced by your team?
Walk me through your process for planning and executing a new feature release.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management And Strategy Interview · 60 min · Senior Engineering Manager or Director
This round focuses on your people management skills and strategic thinking. You'll discuss how you hire, onboard, develop, and retain talent. Expect behavioral questions about managing team conflicts, motivating engineers, and fostering a positive team environment. You'll also be asked about your vision for a team and how you align it with broader company goals.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict within your team. What steps did you take?
How do you approach career development for your team members?
Describe a situation where you had to motivate a team that was struggling. What did you do?
What is your vision for a high-performing engineering team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Executive/Senior Leadership Interview · 45 min · Senior Engineering Leader (VP/Director)
In this final round, you will meet with a senior engineering leader to discuss your strategic thinking and vision for the team. They will assess how well you align with Box's overall business objectives and your ability to lead and inspire a team towards those goals. This is also your chance to ask high-level questions about the company's direction.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation within our product space?
How would you align your team's roadmap with the company's strategic objectives?
What are the key challenges facing engineering leaders today, and how do you address them?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Box loops
Other guides
