[jauco]

Might be a cultural thing, but I disagree with sibling commentors that being able to ask these questions is a luxury. I generally ask questions like this both because I want to know the answer _and_ to signal I’m someone who is aware of the tradeoffs and multidimensionality that goes into software engineering beyond just adding some LoC.

I don’t have the strict red/green flags mentality though. I’m more interested in why the company came to the current status quo. And a company that is struggling in some aspect might be the ideal company for me.

[rwmj]

As an interviewer I always leave plenty of time, usually 15-20 minutes, for the candidate to ask open questions about the company and culture. I emphasize that they will be asking an actual engineer (ie. me) rather than a manager / HR person, and I'll give them as far as possible (within legal bounds) truthful answers.