What is the interview process for Software Engineering Manager at UKG?

This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager (P2 level) position at UKG. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit within the organization.

How many interview rounds does UKG have for Software Engineering Manager?

UKG has 5 interview rounds for the Software Engineering Manager position: HR/Recruiter Screen, Technical & Strategic Leadership, People Management & Leadership, Cross-functional Collaboration & Values Alignment, Senior Leadership & Vision.

Software Engineering Manager (P2) at UKG - Interview Guide

Evaluation

What they measure.

Technical depth and breadth
Problem-solving abilities
System design and architecture understanding
Ability to mentor and grow engineers

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

Thoroughly review your resume and be prepared to discuss specific examples of your accomplishments.
Understand UKG's mission, values, and products.
Research common software engineering management challenges and best practices.
Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples for behavioral questions.
Familiarize yourself with agile methodologies and project management principles.
Think about your leadership philosophy and how you motivate teams.
Be ready to discuss your approach to technical decision-making and architectural trade-offs.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04

01

Phase 01 of 04

Foundation & Self-Assessment

Weeks 1-2: UKG culture, resume review, STAR examples.

Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into UKG's company culture, values, and recent news. Review your past projects and identify key achievements and leadership experiences. Start preparing STAR method examples for common management scenarios (e.g., conflict resolution, performance improvement, project delivery).

Questions

Commonly asked.

Describe your experience leading a software engineering team. What was your biggest success and biggest challenge?
How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult technical decision. What was the process, and what was the outcome?
How do you handle underperforming team members?
Describe your approach to performance reviews and career development for your engineers.
How do you balance delivering on short-term project goals with investing in long-term technical health?
How do you manage stakeholder expectations and communicate project status effectively?
What is your experience with agile methodologies, and how do you adapt them to your team's needs?
How do you ensure the quality and reliability of the software produced by your team?
Describe a time you had to resolve a conflict within your team. What was your approach?
What are your strategies for attracting and retaining top engineering talent?
How do you stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends?
What are your thoughts on technical debt, and how do you manage it?
How do you delegate tasks effectively?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

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Location

Remote/Hybrid

Interview focus

Remote team managementCross-cultural communicationAdaptability to hybrid work models

Common questions

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

Tips

Highlight experience with distributed teams and remote collaboration tools.
Be prepared to discuss strategies for maintaining team morale and productivity across different locations.
Emphasize your understanding of global team dynamics and cultural nuances.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

Med

HR/Recruiter Screen · 30 min · Recruiter/HR

This initial round is conducted by a member of our Talent Acquisition team. The primary goal is to understand your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying to UKG. We'll discuss your resume in detail, explore your management philosophy, and assess your alignment with our company culture and values. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about UKG and the specific role.

What they look for

Enthusiasm for UKG and the roleClear and concise communicationAlignment with company valuesBasic understanding of management principles

Evaluation

Communication skills
Cultural alignment
Motivation and interest in the role
Basic understanding of the role's requirements

Sample questions

Tell me about yourself and your career progression.
BehavioralCareer Path
Why are you interested in this Software Engineering Manager role at UKG?
MotivationCompany Fit
What are your salary expectations?
Compensation
What do you know about UKG?
Company Knowledge
Describe your ideal work environment.
Cultural FitWork Environment

Prep for this round

01Be ready to talk about your career journey and why you're interested in this specific opportunity.
02Research UKG's mission, vision, and values.
03Prepare examples that demonstrate your alignment with our culture.
04Have questions ready about the role, team, and company.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of clear communication
×Inability to provide specific examples
×Poor cultural fit
×Lack of enthusiasm for the role or company

High

Technical & Strategic Interview · 60 min · Senior Engineering Leader/Director

This round focuses on your technical leadership and strategic thinking. You'll discuss your experience in architecting solutions, managing technical roadmaps, and driving technical excellence within engineering teams. Expect questions about system design, scalability, performance, and how you make critical technical decisions. The interviewer will assess your ability to guide a team through complex technical challenges and align technology strategy with business goals.

What they look for

A clear technical visionAbility to think strategically about technology and product roadmapsSound judgment in technical decision-makingUnderstanding of scalability, performance, and reliabilityExperience in mentoring technical leads

Evaluation

Technical leadership capabilities
Strategic thinking and planning
Problem-solving skills
System design and architectural understanding
Ability to guide technical decisions

Sample questions

Design a scalable system for [specific problem, e.g., a real-time notification service]. Discuss trade-offs.
System DesignScalabilityArchitecture
How do you approach technical debt? How do you prioritize its reduction?
Technical DebtPrioritization
Describe a time you had to make a significant architectural decision. What factors did you consider?
ArchitectureDecision Making
How do you ensure the performance and reliability of the systems your team builds?
PerformanceReliabilityQuality
What is your strategy for staying current with technology trends and evaluating new tools/frameworks?
Technology TrendsInnovation

Prep for this round

01Review system design principles and common architectural patterns.
02Prepare to discuss your experience with technical roadmapping and prioritization.
03Think about how you handle technical debt and ensure code quality.
04Be ready to articulate your approach to evaluating and adopting new technologies.
05Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly.

Common rejection reasons

×Inability to articulate technical vision
×Lack of strategic thinking
×Poor problem-solving approach
×Weak understanding of system design principles

High

People Management Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager/Director of Engineering

This interview focuses on your people management and leadership capabilities. You will be asked to provide specific examples of how you have managed teams, developed engineers, handled performance issues, and fostered a positive team culture. The interviewer will delve into your approach to delegation, conflict resolution, and motivating individuals and teams. Demonstrating empathy, strong communication, and a commitment to employee growth is crucial.

What they look for

Proven ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing teamsEffective strategies for conflict resolution and performance improvementStrong coaching and mentoring skillsEmpathy and understanding of individual needsExperience in fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment

Evaluation

People management skills
Team building and motivation
Conflict resolution abilities
Performance management and feedback
Coaching and mentoring capabilities

Sample questions

Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming engineer. What steps did you take?
Performance ManagementCoaching
How do you motivate your team, especially during challenging times?
MotivationTeam Leadership
Tell me about a time you had to resolve a conflict between team members.
Conflict ResolutionTeam Dynamics
How do you delegate tasks to your team members?
DelegationEmpowerment
Describe your approach to career development and mentoring for your engineers.
MentoringCareer Development

Prep for this round

01Prepare detailed examples using the STAR method for common people management scenarios.
02Reflect on your leadership style and how you adapt it to different individuals.
03Think about how you provide constructive feedback and conduct performance reviews.
04Be ready to discuss your strategies for team building and fostering collaboration.
05Consider how you handle difficult conversations and conflicts within a team.

Common rejection reasons

×Inability to provide concrete examples of people management
×Poor conflict resolution skills
×Lack of empathy or understanding of team dynamics
×Failure to demonstrate effective delegation

Med

Cross-Functional Collaboration Interview · 45 min · Peer Engineering Manager / Cross-functional Leader

In this round, you'll meet with a peer Engineering Manager or a leader from a cross-functional team (e.g., Product Management, QA). The focus is on your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively across different functions, and contribute positively to the overall engineering culture. We'll explore how you handle cross-team dependencies, drive alignment, and embody UKG's values in your day-to-day work.

What they look for

Demonstration of UKG's core values in actionAbility to collaborate effectively with peers and stakeholdersA forward-thinking and positive attitudeOpenness to feedback and diverse perspectivesPotential to contribute to the company's long-term success

Evaluation

Alignment with UKG's core values
Collaboration and teamwork skills
Problem-solving approach
Communication and interpersonal skills
Overall fit within the broader organization

Sample questions

How do you collaborate with Product Management to define and prioritize features?
CollaborationProduct Management
Describe a time you had a disagreement with a peer manager. How did you resolve it?
CollaborationConflict Resolution
How do you ensure your team's work aligns with the broader company strategy?
AlignmentStrategy
What are UKG's core values, and how do you embody them in your leadership?
Company ValuesCultural Fit
How do you foster a culture of psychological safety within your team?
Team CulturePsychological Safety

Prep for this round

01Think about how you collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders.
02Be prepared to discuss how you handle disagreements or differing priorities with other teams.
03Reflect on UKG's values and how you demonstrate them.
04Prepare examples of successful cross-functional collaboration.
05Have questions ready about team dynamics and inter-departmental collaboration.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of alignment with company values
×Poor collaboration with peers
×Inability to articulate a clear vision for the team
×Resistance to feedback or different perspectives

High

Hiring Manager/Director Interview · 45 min · Director/VP of Engineering

This final round is typically with a senior leader, such as the Director or VP of Engineering. The conversation will focus on your long-term vision for the team, your strategic approach to managing and growing the engineering function, and your overall leadership potential. You'll have the opportunity to discuss your leadership philosophy at a higher level and demonstrate how you can contribute to the success of the broader engineering organization at UKG.

What they look for

A clear and compelling vision for the team's futureThe ability to inspire and lead a team towards that visionStrong decision-making skills and sound judgmentAlignment with the engineering organization's strategic objectivesPotential to grow and contribute at a higher level

Evaluation

Vision and strategic thinking for the team
Leadership presence and inspiration
Alignment with organizational goals
Decision-making ability
Overall potential for impact

Sample questions

What is your vision for a high-performing software engineering team?
VisionTeam Building
How would you contribute to the strategic goals of the engineering organization at UKG?
StrategyOrganizational Alignment
Describe a time you had to lead your team through significant change.
Change ManagementLeadership
What are the key challenges facing software engineering managers today, and how do you address them?
Industry TrendsProblem Solving
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Career GoalsGrowth Potential

Prep for this round

01Develop a clear vision for the type of team you want to build and lead.
02Think about how you would contribute to the strategic goals of the engineering department.
03Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy and how it aligns with UKG's principles.
04Articulate your understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing software engineering management.
05Prepare insightful questions for the senior leader.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of strategic vision for the team/department
×Inability to inspire confidence in leadership capabilities
×Poor alignment with the overall direction of the engineering organization
×Unrealistic expectations regarding role or impact

DSA

Coding questions at UKG.

Frequently reported on UKG loops

View all at UKG

Software Engineering Manager

What they measure.

How to prepare.

Foundation & Self-Assessment

People Management Skills

Technical & Strategic Acumen

Final Preparation & Mock Interviews

Commonly asked.

Regional differences.

Remote/Hybrid

On-site

Round-by-round.

Coding questions at UKG.

More at UKG.