Sestra Systems interview questions

Two phone calls: one with the CTO the other with the head of the engineering team. One on site interview where I met with some founders, a manager and some peers. I actually felt I asked the tougher questions being that the industry they are in took heavy hits during COVID. Their answers were pretty hand waivy and non-substantial about how they are the industry leader, they are well funded, their founded has had success selling other ventures, etc. It became clear to me later that they were doing MUCH worse than they let on. Got an offer that was comically low with very little justification. They are pursuing too many hardware projects and not investing enough in getting good people. Felt like a huge waste of time.

This was a two-phase interview where I met with the program manager and operations manager first, who both made me feel welcome and excited. Interview one was very relaxed and more of a get to know you session. Instant connections were made over software and historical overlaps. I would work for/beside these employees at an intensely paced startup. This is the interview to be yourself. Emails were exchanged at a normal rate from an incredibly delightful individual who always seemed concise and proper with a warm side. However, the reception of emails late at night was a little worrisome in what I may be getting into. Interview number two. It was like I was interviewing for a different company. With the COO thirty minutes late to the interview, I felt this was a sign. Things were laid out as though this is a startup, but a negative underlying tone was present. Enter this interview as a yes person with no outside life.