The Software Engineering Manager (Manager I, M2) interview at Databricks is a comprehensive process designed to assess a candidate's technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple rounds, including HR screening, technical interviews, behavioral interviews, and a final hiring manager interview. The goal is to identify individuals who can effectively lead engineering teams, drive technical projects, and contribute to Databricks' innovative culture.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~21d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·180 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 03 phases
01 / 03Phase 01 of 03
Weeks 1-2: Databricks tech stack, system design fundamentals, M2 expectations.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into Databricks' core technologies (Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow) and their applications. Understand the company's history, mission, and values. Review common system design concepts and practice case studies related to distributed systems and data processing. Focus on understanding the M2 level expectations for a Software Engineering Manager.
Phase 02 of 03
Weeks 3-4: People management, leadership, STAR method for behavioral questions.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on people management and leadership skills. Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions related to team building, conflict resolution, performance management, and strategic decision-making. Study leadership theories and best practices for managing engineering teams.
Phase 03 of 03
Week 5: Mock interviews, question preparation, final review.
Week 5: Practice mock interviews, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Refine your answers and ensure they are concise and impactful. Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture. Review any specific areas identified as weaknesses during practice.
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 round is conducted by a recruiter or HR representative to assess your overall fit for the role and Databricks. They will review your resume, discuss your career aspirations, and provide an overview of the company and the interview process. This is also an opportunity for you to ask initial questions about the role and the company.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your background.
Why are you interested in this role at Databricks?
What are your salary expectations?
What do you know about Databricks?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview / System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round focuses on your technical expertise, particularly in areas relevant to Databricks' platform. You will likely be asked to discuss your experience with distributed systems, data engineering, and software architecture. Expect system design questions where you'll need to design a scalable system, and potentially coding challenges or deep dives into past projects.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a distributed caching system.
How would you design a real-time data processing pipeline?
Discuss the trade-offs between different database technologies for a large-scale application.
Explain the architecture of a system you previously worked on.
How would you optimize a slow-running Spark job?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral / People Management Interview · 45 min · Senior Engineering Manager / Director of Engineering
This round assesses your people management and leadership skills. You'll be asked behavioral questions designed to understand how you lead teams, manage performance, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive work environment. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method to illustrate your experience.
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 motivate your team during challenging times?
Tell me about a conflict you had within your team and how you resolved it.
How do you approach career development and mentorship for your engineers?
Describe your process for hiring new engineers.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Hiring Manager Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Director of Engineering
This is typically the final round with the hiring manager or a senior leader. The focus is on your overall fit for the role, your strategic thinking, and your vision for leading a team at Databricks. They will assess your ability to align your team's work with the company's broader goals and your potential to grow into a senior leadership position. Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you would contribute to Databricks' success.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your vision for leading an engineering team at Databricks?
How would you prioritize projects for your team to align with company objectives?
Describe a time you had to influence senior leadership to adopt your technical strategy.
What are the key challenges you anticipate in this role, and how would you address them?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Databricks loops
Other guides
