Sarah James
24th February 2023
Hiring an Engineering Manager is a critical decision for any organisation and is a role many of our clients often come to us for help with. To be successful as an Engineering Manager, it’s essential to have a combination of technical, communication and leadership skills.
You must ask the right questions in the interview stage to help ensure that you hire the best Engineering Manager for your organisation that fits your culture and aligns with your vision and organisational mission.
Here I take a look at ten interview questions that organisations should ask Engineering Managers and the reasons why.
Can you tell us about your experience managing software engineering teams?
It may sound obvious but this is a great opening question and it helps you understand the candidate’s experience managing teams and provides insight into their management style. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with other departments effectively.
How do you handle conflicts within your team?
Conflict is an inevitable part of any workplace. Understanding how candidates handle conflict and whether they have experience resolving conflicts within their team is essential. Look for candidates who can provide specific examples of how they’ve addressed conflicts in the past.
Can you walk us through a project you managed from start to finish?
This question helps you understand the candidate’s project management experience and provides insight into their ability to manage timelines and budgets. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to manage complex projects and deliver results on time and within budget.
How do you stay current with the latest trends and technologies in the industry?
As an engineering manager, staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry is essential. Look for candidates who demonstrate their commitment to learning and professional development.
Can you tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult decision as a manager?
This question helps you understand how candidates handle difficult decisions and whether they have experience making tough calls. Look for candidates who can provide specific examples of how they’ve made difficult decisions in the past and explain their thought process behind those decisions.
How do you handle underperforming team members?
Managing underperforming team members can be a challenge for any manager. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to identify performance issues and work with team members to develop an improvement plan.
How do you measure the success of your team?
Measuring the success of a software engineering team can be difficult. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to set clear goals and metrics for their team and track progress towards those goals.
Can you tell us about a time when you had to deliver bad news to your team?
Delivering bad news is never easy, but it’s essential to being a manager. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to communicate complex messages clearly and empathetically.
How do you prioritise competing demands and manage conflicting priorities?
Managing competing demands is a challenge for any manager. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to prioritise tasks and make decisions that are in the organisation’s best interest.
Can you tell us about a time when you had to collaborate with other departments or teams within the organisation?
Collaboration is an integral part of any engineering manager’s role. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively with other departments and teams and provide specific examples of successful collaborations in the past.
Hiring ‘the right fit’ for your organisation is critical for organisational success. You can gain valuable insight into a candidate’s experience, management style, and communication skills by asking the right interview questions. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to manage teams, prioritise competing demands, and collaborate effectively with other departments. Your organisation can drive innovation and succeed in the competitive software engineering industry with the right engineering manager.
If you need help hiring an Engineering Manager for your team or want to discuss these points further, email me at sarah.jamesoc@transition-partners.co.uk or connect with me via LinkedIn.