The Software Engineering Manager (L5) interview at Verkada is designed to assess a candidate's technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and ability to drive execution within a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Candidates are evaluated on their experience in building and scaling teams, managing complex projects, fostering a positive engineering culture, and contributing to the overall technical vision of the company.
Rounds·5
Timeline·~14d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·270 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Verkada research, SEM expectations, CS fundamentals, STAR examples.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into Verkada's business, products, and technology stack. Review common L5 SEM responsibilities and expectations. Brush up on core computer science fundamentals and system design principles. Prepare STAR method examples for common leadership and technical challenges.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: People management, behavioral questions, project retrospectives.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on people management aspects. Prepare to discuss hiring, performance reviews, conflict resolution, and team building. Practice behavioral questions related to these topics. Review your past project successes and failures, focusing on lessons learned and leadership impact.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: System design, technical strategy, architectural thinking.
Week 5: Concentrate on system design and architectural thinking. Review common system design interview questions and practice designing scalable systems. Prepare to discuss your experience with technical decision-making and influencing technical direction.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Mock interviews, final review, question preparation.
Week 6: Final review and mock interviews. Conduct mock interviews focusing on all aspects of the SEM role (technical, people, strategy). Refine your answers and ensure your communication is clear and concise. Prepare insightful questions for the interviewers.
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 · 45 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with a recruiter aims to assess your overall fit for the role and Verkada. They will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and the specific role. Be prepared to talk about your management philosophy and why you're interested in this opportunity.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your management experience.
Why are you interested in Verkada and this Software Engineering Manager role?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview / System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Lead
This round focuses on your technical expertise and system design capabilities. You'll be asked to solve technical problems and design scalable systems, demonstrating your understanding of distributed systems, data structures, algorithms, and architectural patterns. The interviewer will assess your ability to think critically, break down complex problems, and communicate technical solutions effectively.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
How would you design a real-time notification system?
Given a large dataset, how would you find the top K frequent elements?
Discuss the trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL databases for a specific use case.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP of Engineering)
This interview with the hiring manager focuses on your people management philosophy, leadership style, and strategic thinking. You'll discuss your experience in building and managing teams, handling performance issues, fostering collaboration, and driving project execution. The manager will assess your ability to align your team's work with the company's broader goals and your potential to contribute to the engineering leadership team.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe your approach to managing underperforming engineers.
Tell me about a time you had to resolve a conflict within your team. What was your approach?
How do you prioritize projects when your team has competing demands?
What is your strategy for attracting and retaining top engineering talent?
How do you ensure your team stays aligned with the company's strategic objectives?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Cross-Functional / Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Peer Engineering Manager / Cross-functional Leader (e.g., Product Manager, Director of Engineering)
This round assesses your ability to collaborate with peers and cross-functional partners, as well as your alignment with Verkada's culture and values. You might discuss how you've worked with product management, design, or other engineering teams to deliver successful products. The interviewer will look for your communication style, your approach to teamwork, and your understanding of how to drive impact in a collaborative environment.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you had a disagreement with a Product Manager. How did you resolve it?
How do you ensure your team's work is aligned with the product roadmap?
What does 'customer focus' mean to you in an engineering context?
How do you foster a collaborative environment between engineering and other departments?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Executive / Leadership Interview · 60 min · Senior Leadership (VP/SVP of Engineering or CTO)
This final interview is with a senior leader, often the VP or SVP of Engineering, or even the CTO. The focus is on your strategic thinking, leadership vision, and ability to operate at a higher level. They will assess your understanding of the broader business context, your capacity to inspire and lead larger initiatives, and your alignment with the company's long-term vision. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your potential as a leader within Verkada.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your vision for the future of engineering at Verkada?
How would you approach scaling our engineering organization to support future growth?
Describe a time you had to lead a significant change initiative within an engineering team.
How do you balance innovation with operational excellence?
What are the key challenges facing Verkada's engineering team today, and how would you address them?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Verkada loops
Other guides
