This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager (P4 level) position at UKG. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·5
Timeline·~14d
Experience·7 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$160000 - US$200000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: UKG culture, P4 expectations, core engineering principles, company strategy.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into UKG's company culture, values, and product suite. Understand the P4 level expectations for an Engineering Manager. Review core software engineering principles and best practices. Focus on understanding the company's strategic goals and how engineering contributes to them.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: People management, leadership theories, conflict resolution, STAR method for behavioral questions.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on people management skills. Study leadership theories, team motivation, conflict resolution, performance management, and feedback techniques. Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions related to managing people.
Phase 03 of 05
Weeks 5-6: Technical leadership, system design, architectural patterns, scalability, technical decision-making.
Weeks 5-6: Concentrate on technical leadership and system design. Review common architectural patterns, scalability considerations, and trade-offs. Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly. Prepare to discuss your experience in technical decision-making and guiding engineering teams through technical challenges.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 7: Strategic thinking, project management, roadmap planning, prioritization, stakeholder management.
Week 7: Focus on strategic thinking and execution. Understand project management, roadmap planning, prioritization frameworks, and stakeholder management. Prepare to discuss how you align engineering efforts with business objectives and manage project risks.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 8: Mock interviews, final review of all topics, practice articulation.
Week 8: Mock interviews and final review. Conduct mock interviews covering all aspects of the role (technical, behavioral, situational). Refine answers, practice articulating your thoughts concisely, and ensure you are comfortable discussing your career achievements and aspirations.
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 a recruiter or HR representative is to assess your overall fit for the role and UKG. They will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. It's also an opportunity for you to ask initial questions about the role, team, and company culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your career journey.
Why are you interested in this Software Engineering Manager role at UKG?
What are your salary expectations?
What do you know about UKG?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical & System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Engineering Manager or Director
This round focuses on your technical leadership and system design capabilities. You'll be asked to discuss your experience in designing complex systems, making architectural decisions, and guiding engineering teams through technical challenges. Expect questions about scalability, performance, and trade-offs.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Twitter's news feed.
How would you design a distributed caching system?
Describe a complex technical problem you solved as a manager. What was your approach?
What are the key considerations when designing for high availability?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral & People Management Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP of Engineering)
This interview with the hiring manager will delve deeper into your people management and leadership philosophies. You'll be asked behavioral questions to understand how you handle team dynamics, motivate engineers, manage performance, and resolve conflicts. The focus is on your ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict within your team. How did you resolve it?
How do you motivate your team during challenging times?
Describe your process for performance reviews and providing feedback.
How do you delegate tasks effectively?
What is your approach to hiring and building a strong engineering team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen Interview · 45 min · Senior Leader (Director/VP of Engineering or Product)
This interview assesses your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to align engineering efforts with broader company objectives. You'll discuss how you prioritize initiatives, manage roadmaps, collaborate with product management and other stakeholders, and drive strategic technical decisions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you prioritize features for your team's roadmap?
Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a new technical approach.
How do you ensure your team's work aligns with the company's strategic goals?
What is your experience with managing budgets and resource allocation?
How do you handle situations where business priorities conflict with technical recommendations?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Cultural Fit & Peer Interview · 30 min · Peer Engineering Manager or Senior Team Member
This interview often involves meeting with a peer Engineering Manager or a senior member of the team. The goal is to assess your cultural fit, collaboration style, and how you might integrate into the existing management team. They'll look for alignment with UKG's values and your ability to work effectively with peers.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you collaborate with other engineering managers?
Describe a time you had to work with a difficult colleague. How did you handle it?
What does 'customer focus' mean to you in a software engineering context?
How do you contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on UKG loops
Other guides
