This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager (P5 level) position at UKG. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·5
Timeline·~14d
Experience·8 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$170000 - US$220000
Interview time·240 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: UKG overview, core SE principles, agile, management frameworks, STAR examples.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on understanding UKG's business, culture, and technology stack. Review core software engineering principles, agile methodologies, and common management frameworks. Begin preparing STAR method examples for key leadership and team management scenarios.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: People management, coaching, conflict resolution, leadership philosophy, system design.
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into people management topics. Study performance management, coaching, conflict resolution, and team building strategies. Practice articulating your leadership philosophy and providing examples of how you've developed engineers. Review system design and architectural concepts relevant to UKG's products.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Strategic thinking, business acumen, project prioritization, roadmap planning, mock interviews.
Week 5: Focus on strategic thinking and business acumen. Understand how engineering contributes to business goals. Prepare to discuss your experience with project prioritization, roadmap planning, and stakeholder management. Conduct mock interviews to refine your responses and timing.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Final review, practice key examples, prepare questions, career alignment.
Week 6: Final review and preparation. Consolidate your notes, practice your key examples, and prepare insightful questions for the interviewers. Ensure you are comfortable discussing your career aspirations and how they align with the SEM role at UKG.
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/Recruiter Screen · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with a recruiter or HR representative is designed to assess your overall fit for the role and UKG. They will review your resume, discuss your career aspirations, and provide an overview of the company and the interview process. Be prepared to talk about your motivations for applying and your understanding of the Software Engineering Manager position.
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 Deep Dive / System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer/Architect
This round focuses on your technical depth and ability to lead engineering efforts. You will likely be asked to discuss system design, architecture, and problem-solving scenarios. The interviewer will assess your understanding of software development best practices, scalability, and performance. Be prepared to dive deep into technical details and explain your reasoning clearly.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system for [e.g., a ride-sharing service, a notification system, a distributed cache].
How would you approach optimizing the performance of a slow-running application?
Describe a complex technical problem you solved. What was your approach?
What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architectures?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management & Leadership · 60 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP of Engineering)
In this crucial round, you'll meet with the hiring manager, likely a Director or VP of Engineering. This interview focuses heavily on your people management skills, leadership style, and strategic approach to building and managing engineering teams. Expect behavioral questions that require you to share specific examples of how you've handled various management scenarios. Your ability to articulate your vision for a team and demonstrate a track record of success in developing engineers will be key.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe your leadership style and how you motivate engineers.
Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict between team members. How did you resolve it?
How do you handle underperforming team members?
Walk me through your process for hiring engineers.
How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity on your team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen · 45 min · Senior Leader (e.g., Director, VP, or Product Management Lead)
This round assesses your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. You'll discuss how you align engineering efforts with business goals, prioritize initiatives, and manage stakeholder relationships. The interviewer wants to understand your capacity to think beyond day-to-day tasks and contribute to the company's overall success. Be prepared to discuss your experience in product development lifecycles and driving business outcomes.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you prioritize competing demands from different stakeholders?
Describe a time you had to influence a product roadmap. What was your approach?
How do you ensure your team's work aligns with the company's overall business objectives?
What is your experience with managing budgets and resource allocation?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Cultural Fit & Collaboration · 45 min · Peer Engineering Manager or Senior Team Member
This final round often involves meeting with a peer Engineering Manager or a senior member of the team. The focus here is on assessing your cultural fit, collaboration style, and how you would integrate into the existing management team. They will look for evidence of UKG's core values in your responses and assess your ability to work effectively with others. Be prepared to discuss how you handle ambiguity and contribute to a positive team environment.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you build trust with your team members?
Describe a time you had to adapt to a significant change in priorities or direction.
What are your thoughts on work-life balance for your team?
How do you foster a learning culture within your team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on UKG loops
Other guides
