# Manager
**Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** L2
**Company:** [EPAM Systems](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/epam-systems)
**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 (L2) position at EPAM Systems. It evaluates technical leadership, people management, project execution, and strategic thinking capabilities.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/epam-systems/l2-software-engineering-manager
---
## Overall evaluation

- Leadership & People Management
- Technical Acumen
- Project & Delivery Management
- Cultural Fit & Motivation

## Questions asked

- Describe your experience in managing software engineering teams.
- How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
- Tell me about a time you had to deal with a conflict within your team. How did you resolve it?
- How do you prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously?
- What is your approach to performance management and career development for your team members?
- How do you ensure the technical quality and timely delivery of projects?
- Describe a challenging technical problem you or your team faced and how you overcame it.
- How do you stay updated with the latest technology trends and ensure your team does as well?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
- Why are you interested in this role at EPAM Systems?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Review EPAM's company values and mission.
- Understand the specific challenges and opportunities for a Software Engineering Manager at EPAM.
- Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
- Brush up on your understanding of Agile methodologies and project management best practices.
- Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you motivate teams.
- Familiarize yourself with common technical challenges and solutions relevant to the projects EPAM undertakes.
- Research current trends in software development and management.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Company & Leadership Fundamentals","longDescription":"Week 1: Focus on understanding EPAM's business, culture, and the specific domain of the role. Review leadership principles and common management frameworks (e.g., Situational Leadership, Situational Team Leadership). Prepare STAR method examples for common leadership scenarios.","shortDescription":"Week 1: EPAM culture, leadership frameworks, STAR method."}
- {"title":"Project & Delivery Management","longDescription":"Week 2: Deep dive into Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and project management best practices. Practice articulating your approach to project planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Prepare examples of successful project delivery.","shortDescription":"Week 2: Agile, Project Management, Delivery."}
- {"title":"Technical Acumen & Mentorship","longDescription":"Week 3: Refresh your technical knowledge across various domains relevant to EPAM's work (e.g., cloud, specific programming languages, architecture patterns). Prepare to discuss how you guide technical decisions and mentor engineers. Think about how you foster technical excellence within a team.","shortDescription":"Week 3: Technical Refresh, Mentorship, Technical Excellence."}
- {"title":"Behavioral & Strategic Thinking","longDescription":"Week 4: Focus on behavioral and situational questions. Prepare examples related to conflict resolution, performance management, motivating teams, handling failure, and driving change. Practice articulating your vision and strategic thinking.","shortDescription":"Week 4: Behavioral questions, Conflict Resolution, Performance Management, Strategic Thinking."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote/Hybrid","differences":{"tips":["Highlight experience with remote collaboration tools and strategies.","Showcase your ability to manage diverse teams with varying cultural backgrounds.","Emphasize your flexibility in adapting to different work arrangements."],"interviewFocus":["Remote team management","Cross-cultural communication","Adaptability to different work models"],"commonQuestions":["How do you handle underperforming team members in a remote setting?","Describe a time you had to manage a project with distributed teams across different time zones.","What are your strategies for fostering team cohesion and collaboration in a hybrid work environment?"]}}
- {"location":"On-site","differences":{"tips":["Provide examples of how you've directly mentored and coached team members.","Discuss your methods for driving team performance and accountability in an office setting.","Share experiences in creating a positive and productive work environment."],"interviewFocus":["On-site team dynamics","Direct supervision and mentorship","Office-based project execution"],"commonQuestions":["How do you ensure alignment and communication within a co-located team?","Describe your approach to performance management for on-site employees.","How do you foster innovation and creativity in a physical office space?"]}}

## Round 1: HR Screening Call
**Type:** HR Screening · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Initial screening to assess basic qualifications, motivation, and cultural fit.
The initial HR screening call is to assess your overall fit with EPAM Systems, understand your career aspirations, and confirm your basic qualifications and expectations. This round focuses on your motivation for the role, your understanding of management principles, and your alignment with the company culture. It's also an opportunity for you to ask initial questions about the role and the company.
**Interviewers look for:** Enthusiasm for the role; Alignment with EPAM's values; Basic understanding of management responsibilities; Professionalism
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication skills; Understanding of HR policies and best practices; Cultural fit; Motivation for the role
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear communication; Inability to provide specific examples; Poor understanding of management principles; Negative attitude towards feedback
## Questions

- Tell me about yourself and your career progression.
- Why are you interested in a Software Engineering Manager role at EPAM?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?

## Preparation tips

- Research EPAM's mission, values, and recent achievements.
- Be prepared to talk about your career goals and why you are interested in this specific role.
- Have questions ready for the recruiter about the company, the team, and the role.
- Practice articulating your strengths and how they align with the requirements.

## Round 2: Technical Deep Dive
**Type:** Technical Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Assesses technical leadership, system design, and problem-solving skills.
This technical interview focuses on your ability to lead engineering teams from a technical perspective. You will be asked about your experience with software architecture, design patterns, development methodologies, and your approach to ensuring technical excellence. The interviewer will assess your ability to guide technical discussions, mentor engineers, and make sound technical decisions.
**Interviewers look for:** Deep technical understanding; Ability to mentor and guide engineers technically; Strategic thinking regarding technology choices; Experience with complex technical challenges
**Evaluation criteria:** Technical leadership; Problem-solving approach; Understanding of software architecture and design; Ability to guide technical decisions
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to articulate technical vision; Lack of strategic thinking; Poor understanding of software development lifecycle; Weak problem-solving skills
## Questions

- Describe a complex system you designed or significantly contributed to. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?
- How do you ensure code quality and maintainability within your team?
- What is your approach to technical debt management?
- Discuss a time you had to make a difficult technical trade-off. What was your reasoning?
- How do you mentor junior engineers on technical skills?

## Preparation tips

- Review common software architecture patterns and principles.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with different technology stacks and their trade-offs.
- Think about how you foster technical growth and learning within a team.
- Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.

## Round 3: People Management & Leadership
**Type:** Managerial Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 45 min
Evaluates people management, leadership, and team development skills.
This round focuses on your people management and leadership capabilities. You will be asked behavioral questions designed to understand how you lead, motivate, and develop your teams. Expect questions about conflict resolution, performance management, delegation, and fostering a positive team environment. The interviewer will assess your ability to build and manage high-performing teams.
**Interviewers look for:** Empathy and understanding of team dynamics; Ability to motivate and inspire teams; Experience in conflict resolution and performance management; Strong communication and interpersonal skills
**Evaluation criteria:** People management skills; Conflict resolution abilities; Team motivation and engagement; Performance management; Leadership style
**Common rejection reasons:** Poor people management skills; Inability to handle conflict; Lack of empathy; Failure to demonstrate leadership qualities
## Questions

- Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming employee. What steps did you take?
- How do you motivate your team during challenging projects or periods of low morale?
- Tell me about a time you had to delegate a critical task. How did you ensure its successful completion?
- How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment?
- Describe your approach to giving and receiving feedback.

## Preparation tips

- Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for common management scenarios (e.g., conflict, underperformance, motivation).
- Reflect on your leadership philosophy and how you empower your team.
- Think about how you handle difficult conversations and provide constructive feedback.
- Be ready to discuss your approach to career development for your team members.

## Round 4: Strategic & Business Acumen
**Type:** Managerial/Strategic Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 45 min
Focuses on strategic thinking, business alignment, and long-term vision.
This final round assesses your strategic thinking and business acumen. You'll discuss how you align team efforts with broader company goals, manage stakeholders, and contribute to the overall business strategy. The interviewer will look for your ability to think long-term, prioritize effectively, and drive impactful results.
**Interviewers look for:** Ability to align team goals with business objectives; Strategic planning capabilities; Understanding of project prioritization and resource allocation; Experience in stakeholder management
**Evaluation criteria:** Strategic thinking; Business acumen; Project prioritization; Stakeholder management; Vision for the team/department
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of strategic vision; Poor alignment with business goals; Inability to articulate long-term plans; Misunderstanding of the role's impact on the business
## Questions

- How would you align your team's roadmap with EPAM's strategic business objectives?
- Describe a time you had to manage conflicting priorities from different stakeholders. How did you resolve it?
- What is your vision for a high-performing software engineering team?
- How do you measure the success of your team and your own performance as a manager?
- What are the biggest challenges facing software engineering managers today, and how do you address them?

## Preparation tips

- Understand EPAM's business strategy and how engineering contributes to it.
- Prepare examples of how you've driven strategic initiatives or influenced business outcomes.
- Think about how you would prioritize competing demands and allocate resources effectively.
- Be ready to articulate your vision for a successful engineering team within EPAM.