This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Lead Software Engineering Manager position at Cohesity. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·8 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·195 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Cohesity overview, leadership frameworks, agile, performance management.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on understanding Cohesity's business, products, and market position. Review company values and recent news. Begin researching common software engineering manager interview topics, including leadership frameworks, agile methodologies, and performance management best practices.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: People management (hiring, performance, conflict, motivation) with STAR examples.
Weeks 3-4: Dive deep into people management. Study topics like hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, career development, conflict resolution, and motivating teams. Prepare examples for each of these areas using the STAR method.
Phase 03 of 05
Weeks 5-6: System design, distributed systems, scalability, technical decision-making.
Weeks 5-6: Focus on technical leadership and system design. Review distributed systems concepts, scalability, reliability, and common architectural patterns. Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss your experience with technical decision-making and trade-offs.
Phase 04 of 05
Weeks 7-8: Strategy, business alignment, prioritization, roadmapping, stakeholder management.
Weeks 7-8: Concentrate on strategic thinking and business acumen. Understand how engineering aligns with business goals. Prepare to discuss project prioritization, roadmap planning, resource allocation, and stakeholder management. Practice articulating your vision for a team or product.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 9: Mock interviews, behavioral, leadership, technical Q&A, feedback.
Week 9: Conduct mock interviews focusing on behavioral questions, leadership scenarios, and technical discussions. Seek feedback and refine your answers. Ensure you are comfortable articulating your strengths and experiences clearly and confidently.
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 · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with HR or a recruiter is designed to assess your overall fit for the role and Cohesity. They will review your resume, discuss your career aspirations, and provide an overview of the company and the position. It's also an opportunity for you to ask initial questions about the process and the company.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your career background.
Why are you interested in this role at Cohesity?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical & System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round focuses on your technical expertise and system design capabilities. You'll be asked to discuss your experience with complex technical challenges, architectural decisions, and how you guide engineering teams through technical execution. Expect questions on distributed systems, scalability, performance, and reliability.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system for [e.g., a real-time analytics dashboard]. Discuss scalability, data storage, and API design.
Describe a challenging technical problem you solved as a manager. What was your role?
How do you approach code reviews and ensure code quality within your team?
What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architectures?
How do you manage technical debt?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management & Leadership Interview · 60 min · Director of Engineering / VP of Engineering
This interview focuses on your people management and leadership skills. You will be asked behavioral questions about how you manage teams, develop talent, handle conflicts, and drive performance. The interviewer will also assess your strategic thinking and ability to align engineering efforts with business objectives.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe your approach to performance management and career development for your engineers.
Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult feedback to a team member. How did you handle it?
How do you foster collaboration and a positive team culture?
What is your strategy for hiring and retaining top engineering talent?
How do you prioritize projects and manage your team's roadmap?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Hiring Manager Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP)
This is typically the final interview with the hiring manager, who is likely a Director or VP. This interview focuses on your overall fit for the role, your leadership vision, strategic thinking, and how you align with Cohesity's culture. You'll discuss how you would approach the role, your long-term goals, and how you see yourself contributing to the company's success.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your vision for this team in the next 1-2 years?
How would you approach building and scaling a high-performing engineering team here?
Describe a time you had to influence senior leadership on a technical or strategic decision.
What are the biggest challenges you anticipate in this role, and how would you address them?
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Cohesity loops
Other guides
