How a São Paulo Engineering Manager Prepped After a Failed Google Design Round
Portuguese was fluent. Google’s system design round in English was not.
What this case shows
A São Paulo engineering manager failed Google’s system design round. Coaching rebuilt vocab and full-loop English, including Airbnb.
At a glance
| Role | Engineering manager / software engineer |
|---|---|
| Region | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Starting Point | Google system design round unsuccessful; vocab the main gap |
| Target | Roles abroad; full interview process in English |
| Outcome | Full-loop practice; Airbnb second round in notes |
Timeline
EM in Brazil
Focus
Google design (did not pass)
Outcome
Airbnb round next
“I can run a team in Portuguese. In English I do not have the words when the design question gets hard.”
Starting Point
São Paulo, EM and SWE background, working in Brazil only so far. After Google, an Airbnb second round appeared on the calendar. Coaching had to cover design language and the rest of a loop, not a pep talk about the failed round.
The Problem
He managed engineers in Brazil and wanted a job abroad. Google’s system design round had already gone badly. Vocabulary and expressions failed when the problem got specific. He did not want a single patch. He wanted the whole process in English - the same bar as in Portuguese. Tennis and running were the rest of the week. The interview was the English problem.
Before and After
Before coaching
- He failed Google system design on language, not only on architecture.
- Vocabulary and expressions were the biggest stated gap.
- He wanted roles abroad while still working only in Brazil.
- He had not yet practised a full interview process in English.
After coaching
- He used a spoken design structure with simple backup phrases when a word was missing.
- He practised mocks for more than one round type.
- He practised Airbnb-style follow-up questions in English.
- He got corrections on the same answer, not a new lecture.
What We Practised
Sessions started from the failure mode: design in English when vocabulary ran out. Then they widened to a full loop so the next company would not be another single-round surprise.
- He practised system design in English after the unsuccessful Google round.
- He practised vocabulary and expressions for engineering-manager trade-offs.
- He ran whole-process mocks, not only one question type.
- He practised second-round interviews as other companies appeared.
Useful references along the way: What to expect in English interviews, Own your weakness.
The Turning Point
The useful mock was a design he had already failed once, redone with a rule: when a word disappeared, use a simpler accurate sentence instead of stopping. He finished the board. That is not eloquence. It is what Google-style rounds actually grade when English is the second language.
The Result
He did not get a Google offer in the notes. He got a second chance at the skill that failed: system design English, plus the rest of a loop - including an Airbnb second round. Honesty about the miss is part of the story.
What He Would Do Differently
- Practise design English before the first large tech-company round.
- Build simple backup phrases for when the precise term will not come.
- Train the whole interview process, not only the round you fear.
- Treat a failed round as a recording of the gap, not as a verdict on the career.
Why This Matters for Brazilian EMs Targeting Roles Abroad
Google-style design rounds are long spoken performances. Strong EMs in Portuguese still fail them on vocabulary. Recovery is more mocks in English, not more years of management in Brazil.
Preparing for a similar path? Read How an Israeli Account Manager Prepped for Google in English.
Learning paths
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Other engineers practising interview English
Mockly has been the best investment I’ve made in the past year. The mentors don’t just have a deep knowledge of the language - they bring extensive experience in the IT industry. They understand the tech job market and are well-versed in modern engineering practices and the culture of top companies. Sessions aren’t just about improving your English; they’re an opportunity to sharpen your soft skills, gain valuable insights beyond engineering, and become a stronger communicator overall. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Mockly’s preparation and mock interviews, I passed multiple interviews, received several offers, and landed a new job. The sessions increased my confidence as we worked through initial screening and technical interview questions. Mockly didn’t just improve my English - they gave me great advice on how to answer questions and approach interviews strategically. I truly recommend them to anyone seeking a role at an international company.
FAQ
Questions
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