Scale Engineer

Software Engineering Manager

Software Engineering ManagerP1High

This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager (P1 level) position at UKG. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.

Rounds·4

Timeline·~14d

Experience·5 - 10 yrs

Comp band·US$140000 - US$180000

Interview time·195 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical depth and breadth relevant to UKG's technology stack.
  • Ability to make sound technical decisions and guide architectural discussions.
  • Understanding of software development lifecycle and best practices.

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Thoroughly research UKG's products, mission, and values.
  2. Understand the specific challenges and opportunities for a Software Engineering Manager at the P1 level.
  3. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
  4. Review common software engineering management topics: agile methodologies, team building, performance management, technical debt, architectural decisions.
  5. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you foster innovation and growth within a team.
  6. Familiarize yourself with UKG's tech stack and industry trends.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Company & Role Immersion

Weeks 1-2: UKG Research, P1 Expectations, Core SE Principles.

Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into UKG's business, products, and company culture. Understand the P1 level expectations for a Software Engineering Manager. Review core software engineering principles and best practices.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder relationship. How did you handle it?
  • Describe your approach to hiring and retaining top engineering talent.
  • How do you balance the need for delivering new features with addressing technical debt?
  • Walk me through a challenging project you managed from inception to completion. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
  • How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within your team?
  • What are your strategies for managing underperforming engineers?
  • How do you stay updated with the latest technology trends and ensure your team is leveraging them effectively?
  • Describe a time you had to make a significant technical decision with incomplete information.
  • How do you delegate tasks effectively while ensuring quality and accountability?
  • What is your philosophy on code reviews and quality assurance?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

Remote/Hybrid

Interview focus

Adaptability to remote/hybrid management stylesCross-time zone collaboration strategiesBuilding trust and engagement in distributed teams

Common questions

  • How do you handle underperforming engineers in a remote setting?
  • Describe a time you had to manage a conflict between team members working across different time zones.
  • What strategies do you use to foster team cohesion and collaboration in a hybrid work environment?

Tips

  • Highlight experience with remote team management tools and methodologies.
  • Provide specific examples of successful remote project delivery.
  • Emphasize your ability to maintain team morale and productivity regardless of location.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

DSA

Coding questions at UKG.

Frequently reported on UKG loops

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Other guides

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