Engineering Manager Interview Experience - Montreal, Quebec
Process
The interview process started off well but took a turn for the worse. The recruiters were fantastic, and the process included both a coding challenge and a system design challenge.
However, I failed the coding challenge without receiving a clear explanation. At the time, I was eager for the position and had offers from Google, Amazon, and my current company. It left me questioning how I could pass Google’s technical interview but not a seemingly basic coding challenge from Affinity.
From the moment I entered the interview, I sensed a strong bias from the interviewers. If you differ in culture or personality, it's likely not the place for you—it will feel like a waste of time. They seem to hire people who think and look like them.
Despite raising the issue, I still haven't received clarification on why I failed the coding challenge. Overall, I was disappointed, and I believe that part of their process needs to be reevaluated.
I'm writing this months later after a friend mentioned they were thinking of applying, and this was my feedback to them.
Questions
Can you design a blog?
Was this helpful?
Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 1 interview experience for the Affinity Engineering Manager role in Montreal, Quebec.
Success Rate
Affinity's interview process for their Engineering Manager roles in Montreal, Quebec is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for Affinity's Engineering Manager interview process in Montreal, Quebec.
Affinity Work Experiences
- 4.0Good company, some issuesSenior Software Engineer • Former EmployeeSeptember 11, 2025Pros: Good culture and WLB Smart peopleCons: Lacks directions sometimes Layoffs happen
- 5.0A Fantastic Place for Growth in a Culture That Truly ListensSenior Software Engineer • Current EmployeeToronto, ONJuly 27, 2025Pros: Clear Vision & Leadership: The leadership team is transparent and has a clear vision for where the company is headed. There's a strong sense of shared purpose, and it’s genuinely exciting to be part of a company that is solving real problems and poised for future growth. Open, Feedback-Driven Culture: This is one of the best parts of working here. Management actively solicits feedback and, more importantly, acts on it. This commitment to continuous improvement creates a culture of trust and makes you feel like your voice truly matters. Opportunities for Growth: I have been able to work with a wide variety of technologies, which has been incredible for my professional development. The work is always engaging and provides constant opportunities to learn new skills, which keeps me motivated.Cons: As the company and engineering team have scaled, cross-team communication can be challenging at times. Managing cross-cutting concerns that affect multiple teams requires significant coordination, which can occasionally slow down development velocity. It's a natural challenge for any organization, and its good to see steps being taken in the right direction.
- 5.0Inspiring Leadership, Great Product, and a Supportive TeamDirector, Engineering • Current EmployeeToronto, ONJuly 14, 2025Pros: The leadership team is thoughtful, transparent, and has a clear vision for where the company is headed. The product itself is genuinely exciting with massive potential, and it's great to be part of a company that's solving real problems. The people here are one of the best parts — smart, humble, and always willing to collaborate and support one another. The culture is open and feedback-driven, and there’s a strong sense of shared purpose.Cons: Engineering velocity has been impacted by accumulated tech debt over time, which can slow things down. That said, there are a lot of initiatives currently in motion to address this and improve the pace of development. Cross-team alignment can be a bit challenging at times, but it’s something that’s being acknowledged and worked on.
