The interview process started with a recruiter screen and a call with the engineering manager, who was candid about internal challenges and repeatedly asked if I’d ever fired someone—raising early concerns about the team culture. I completed a system design interview that went very well. A week later, I was told the hiring manager was happy with my performance, but that I wasn’t “experienced enough” for the Engineering Manager opening. Instead, he offered an equivalent-level IC position. When I asked what level that was, he said P3—typically meant for engineers with 3–4 years of experience.
I was stunned, as I have over 15 years of deeply technical experience, including senior architecture and management roles, which we had already discussed. When I pointed this out, he said, “Oh—I missed that!” and suggested adjusting the role to principal IC. He then proposed as a next step, I do a system design interview, unaware I had already completed the system design interview earlier in the week!
After that, I never heard back. The process felt disorganized and poorly managed, with key details overlooked and my experience clearly misjudged. It was borderline insulting.
Don't waste your time interviewing with this company!!