This is the ASIC and SoC insider, Inside the Interview, episode seven. Tell me about a time you disagreed with the design decision. This behavioral question catches a lot of candidates off guard. It’s not really about the disagreement, it’s about collaboration, communication, and influence.
For context, leaders want to see if you can challenge respectfully. Back up your point with data and work toward a solution without burning bridges, the types of questions you face are: Tell me about a time you disagreed with the design decision?
For example, in a SOC integration project, I disagreed with the decision to implement non-standard reset sequences to save time.
I raised concerns in a design review showing data that prior projects were non-standard. Resets created downstream bring-up issues. Instead of escalating emotionally, I laid out alternatives and their trade-offs. We compromised by implementing a hybrid solution that was spec compliant, but didn’t require full redesign.
The key wasn’t winning the argument. It was showing I could influence the facts, propose solutions, and keep the team aligned.
This question is a test of maturity. The right answer shows data-driven influence and collaboration, not ego.
If you want to sharpen your behavioral interview answers with strong leadership framing, reach out. I help candidates across the engineering C-suite get this right, and I do that across the uk, Europe, and the us.
This is the ASIC and SoC Insider. Let’s get started.
