# Software Engineering Manager
**Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** L5
**Company:** [Verkada](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/verkada)
**Difficulty:** High
**Salary:** US$180000 - US$250000
**Experience:** 5 - 10
**Timeline:** ~14 days
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.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/verkada/l5-software-engineering-manager
---
## Overall evaluation

- Technical Acumen
- People Management
- Strategic & Execution
- Communication & Collaboration

## Questions asked

- Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?
- Describe a situation where you had to make a significant technical decision with incomplete information. What was the outcome?
- How do you balance the need for rapid feature development with maintaining code quality and technical debt?
- Walk me through your process for hiring and onboarding new engineers.
- Tell me about a time you failed as a manager. What did you learn from it?
- How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and continuous improvement within your team?
- Describe a complex project you led from conception to delivery. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
- How do you prioritize work for your team when faced with competing demands?
- What is your approach to performance management and career development for your engineers?
- How do you stay current with technology trends and ensure your team is adopting relevant innovations?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Thoroughly review your resume and be prepared to discuss specific examples of your leadership and technical accomplishments.
- Understand Verkada's products, mission, and values. Research recent company news and achievements.
- Prepare to discuss your management philosophy, including how you hire, onboard, mentor, and manage performance.
- Practice answering behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Familiarize yourself with common software engineering challenges and best practices relevant to the scale and domain Verkada operates in.
- Think about specific examples of how you've driven technical strategy, managed complex projects, and influenced engineering decisions.
- Be ready to discuss your experience with scaling teams and processes.
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Foundation & Research","longDescription":"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.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Verkada research, SEM expectations, CS fundamentals, STAR examples."}
- {"title":"People Management & Leadership","longDescription":"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.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: People management, behavioral questions, project retrospectives."}
- {"title":"System Design & Technical Strategy","longDescription":"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.","shortDescription":"Week 5: System design, technical strategy, architectural thinking."}
- {"title":"Final Preparation & Mock Interviews","longDescription":"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.","shortDescription":"Week 6: Mock interviews, final review, question preparation."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote/Hybrid","differences":{"tips":["Highlight experience with remote or hybrid team leadership.","Be prepared to discuss specific tools and techniques for remote collaboration.","Emphasize your ability to foster a strong team culture without physical proximity."],"interviewFocus":["Remote team management strategies","Cross-time zone collaboration","Virtual team building and engagement"],"commonQuestions":["How do you handle underperforming engineers in a remote setting?","Describe a time you had to adapt your management style for a distributed team.","What tools and strategies do you use to ensure effective communication and collaboration across different time zones?"]}}
- {"location":"On-site (e.g., San Mateo, CA)","differences":{"tips":["Provide examples of how you've driven team success through in-person collaboration.","Discuss your experience with managing local stakeholders and cross-functional partners.","Showcase your ability to create an environment that encourages both individual and team achievement."],"interviewFocus":["On-site team dynamics","Cross-functional collaboration within an office setting","Driving project execution in a physical workspace"],"commonQuestions":["How do you foster innovation within a co-located engineering team?","Describe your approach to managing stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced office environment.","How do you balance individual contributor growth with team project delivery?"]}}

## Round 1: Recruiter Screen
**Type:** HR/Recruiter Screen · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Initial screening to assess overall fit and motivation.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Enthusiasm for Verkada; Clear communication skills; Basic alignment with company values; Understanding of the role's responsibilities
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication clarity; Cultural alignment; Motivation and enthusiasm; Basic understanding of the role
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear communication; Inability to provide specific examples; Poor cultural fit; Insufficient leadership experience
## 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?

## Preparation tips

- Research Verkada's mission, values, and products.
- Be ready to articulate why you are interested in this specific role and company.
- Prepare to discuss your career goals and how this role aligns with them.
- Practice your elevator pitch about your experience and leadership style.

## Round 2: Technical Deep Dive & System Design
**Type:** Technical Interview / System Design · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Assesses technical depth and system design skills.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Strong technical foundation; Ability to design scalable and robust systems; Sound judgment in technical decision-making; Capacity to guide technical direction
**Evaluation criteria:** Technical problem-solving; System design capabilities; Understanding of scalability and performance; Ability to lead technical discussions
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of technical depth; Inability to articulate technical decisions; Poor system design skills; Weak problem-solving approach
## 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.

## Preparation tips

- Review data structures and algorithms.
- Practice system design problems, focusing on scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
- Understand common architectural patterns (e.g., microservices, event-driven).
- Be prepared to discuss trade-offs in system design.
- Think about how you would mentor engineers on technical topics.

## Round 3: Hiring Manager Interview
**Type:** Managerial Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Focuses on people management, leadership, and strategic thinking.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Proven ability to lead and grow engineering teams; Effective communication and interpersonal skills; Strategic mindset and ability to align team goals with business objectives; Experience in managing performance and fostering a positive culture
**Evaluation criteria:** People management skills; Team building and development; Conflict resolution; Strategic thinking and planning; Execution and delivery
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to provide concrete examples of people management; Poor conflict resolution skills; Lack of strategic thinking; Difficulty in managing underperformance
## 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?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare specific examples of how you've managed teams, mentored engineers, and resolved conflicts.
- Think about your approach to hiring, onboarding, and performance management.
- Be ready to discuss your strategic thinking process and how you set team goals.
- Consider how you foster a positive and productive team culture.
- Practice articulating your leadership philosophy.

## Round 4: Cross-functional Collaboration & Culture Fit
**Type:** Cross-functional / Behavioral Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Evaluates collaboration, cultural fit, and cross-functional effectiveness.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** Alignment with Verkada's core values; Ability to collaborate effectively across different functions; Strong communication and influencing skills; A clear vision for team and product development
**Evaluation criteria:** Cultural fit; Collaboration and teamwork; Communication and influence; Vision and strategic alignment
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of alignment with company values; Poor collaboration skills; Inability to articulate vision; Insufficient cross-functional experience
## 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?

## Preparation tips

- Reflect on your experiences working with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders.
- Be prepared to discuss how you handle disagreements and build consensus.
- Understand Verkada's cultural values and how you embody them.
- Think about how you communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

## Round 5: Senior Leadership Interview
**Type:** Executive / Leadership Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Assesses strategic vision, leadership, and executive presence.
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.
**Interviewers look for:** A clear and compelling vision for engineering teams; Proven ability to lead and inspire at a higher level; Strategic thinking that aligns with company objectives; Experience managing managers or significant scope
**Evaluation criteria:** Strategic vision and leadership; Ability to inspire and motivate teams; Executive presence; Experience managing managers or larger teams; Alignment with company-wide goals
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of strategic vision; Inability to inspire or motivate a team; Poor alignment with executive leadership; Insufficient experience managing at scale
## 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?

## Preparation tips

- Understand Verkada's long-term strategy and business goals.
- Prepare to discuss your vision for engineering teams and how you drive innovation.
- Think about how you would scale engineering processes and organizations.
- Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy at a strategic level.
- Articulate how you measure success for your teams and the impact you drive.