Athenahealth Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Athenahealth is a pioneering company dedicated to transforming the healthcare landscape by delivering accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare solutions for all.

As a Data Engineer at Athenahealth, you will play a vital role within the Data Systems group of the epocrates R&D team, focusing on developing and maintaining robust data pipelines and data warehousing solutions. You will be responsible for ensuring seamless data ingestion and integration processes, utilizing technologies such as Apache Kafka and AWS. Your primary responsibilities will include writing scalable and efficient code, managing ETL/ELT processes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality data solutions that empower healthcare providers and pharmaceutical clients. Given Athenahealth's commitment to innovation and collaboration, ideal candidates will exhibit a strong technical background, a passion for solving complex challenges, and a willingness to mentor and support fellow team members.

This guide aims to equip you with insights into the role and its expectations, helping you prepare effectively for your interview at Athenahealth by understanding the skills and mindset valued by the company.

The interview process for a Data Engineer position at Athenahealth is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several structured steps that allow candidates to showcase their expertise and problem-solving abilities.

1. Initial HR Screening

The process begins with a phone call from an HR representative. This initial screening lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on understanding your background, motivations, and fit for the company culture. The HR representative will discuss the role in detail, including the expectations and responsibilities, while also gauging your interest in the position and the company.

2. Coding Challenge

Following the HR screening, candidates are required to complete a coding challenge. This challenge is typically designed to assess your proficiency in SQL and may involve writing queries that include recursive elements. You will have a set period, usually around six days, to complete this task. It’s important to approach this challenge methodically, as it serves as a critical evaluation of your technical skills.

3. Technical Interview

After successfully completing the coding challenge, candidates will have a technical interview with a hiring manager or a senior data engineer. This interview is often conducted via video call and focuses on your coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of data engineering concepts. Expect to discuss your approach to data pipelines, ETL processes, and any relevant technologies you have worked with, such as Apache Kafka or AWS.

4. Onsite Interview

The final stage of the interview process is an onsite interview, which can last up to four hours. This typically includes multiple rounds of interviews with various team members, including data engineers and cross-functional partners. During these sessions, you will be asked to solve real-world problems, participate in coding exercises, and engage in discussions about your past experiences and projects. This is also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your collaborative skills and how you would fit into the team dynamic.

Throughout the interview process, candidates are encouraged to ask questions and engage with their interviewers, as this reflects the collaborative culture at Athenahealth.

Now that you have an understanding of the interview process, let’s delve into the specific questions that may be asked during each stage.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Athenahealth values a collaborative and innovative environment where employees, referred to as athenistas, are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work. Familiarize yourself with their mission to create accessible, high-quality healthcare and their commitment to social responsibility. During the interview, express your alignment with these values and share examples of how you have contributed to a positive team culture in your previous roles.

Prepare for the Coding Challenge

Expect a SQL coding challenge that may include complex queries, such as recursive queries. Take the time to practice SQL problems and ensure you understand the intricacies of data manipulation and retrieval. Since the challenge may lack detailed instructions, be proactive in clarifying any uncertainties before you begin. This will demonstrate your initiative and problem-solving skills.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Data Engineer, you will be expected to have a strong command of various technologies, including Java, SQL, Apache Kafka, and cloud-based data warehousing solutions. Be prepared to discuss your experience with these tools in detail, including specific projects where you utilized them. Highlight your ability to write high-quality, maintainable code and your familiarity with software design patterns, as these are crucial for the role.

Emphasize Collaboration and Mentorship

Athenahealth values teamwork and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to discuss your experience working in Agile environments and how you have contributed to team success. Share examples of how you have mentored or trained colleagues, participated in code reviews, and fostered a culture of knowledge sharing. This will demonstrate your commitment to the team’s growth and success.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to tackle complex issues, work under pressure, and contribute to team objectives.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the technologies they are currently exploring, and how they measure success in their projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up Professionally

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your interest in the role and briefly mention a key point from the conversation that resonated with you. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Data Engineer role at Athenahealth. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at Athenahealth. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your experience with data systems and pipelines. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, coding practices, and how you approach collaboration within a team.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between ETL and ELT processes?

Understanding the nuances between ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) is crucial for a Data Engineer, especially in a cloud-based environment.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both processes and highlight the scenarios in which each is preferable. Mention how ELT leverages the power of cloud data warehouses for transformation after loading.

Example

“ETL involves transforming data before loading it into the target system, which is useful for on-premise solutions. In contrast, ELT loads raw data into the data warehouse first and then transforms it, allowing for more flexibility and scalability, especially in cloud environments like Snowflake.”

2. Describe your experience with Apache Kafka and how you have used it in your projects.

Kafka is a key technology in real-time data streaming, and your familiarity with it will be assessed.

How to Answer

Provide specific examples of how you have implemented Kafka in your projects, focusing on the architecture and the benefits it brought to your data pipeline.

Example

“I used Apache Kafka to build a real-time data ingestion pipeline for a healthcare analytics platform. By setting up Kafka producers and consumers, we were able to process streaming data from various sources, which significantly reduced latency and improved our data processing capabilities.”

3. What strategies do you use to ensure data quality in your pipelines?

Data quality is paramount in healthcare applications, and interviewers will want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods you employ to validate and clean data, as well as any tools or frameworks you use to monitor data quality.

Example

“I implement data validation checks at various stages of the pipeline, using tools like Apache Airflow for orchestration. Additionally, I set up alerts for anomalies and regularly review data quality metrics to ensure that our datasets meet the required standards.”

4. How do you approach designing a scalable data architecture?

Scalability is a critical aspect of data engineering, especially in a growing company like Athenahealth.

How to Answer

Explain your thought process in designing data architectures, including considerations for future growth and performance optimization.

Example

“When designing a data architecture, I focus on modularity and scalability. I use microservices to handle different data processing tasks, ensuring that each component can scale independently. This approach allows us to adapt to increasing data volumes without significant rework.”

5. Can you discuss your experience with cloud-based data warehousing solutions?

Familiarity with cloud technologies is essential for this role, particularly with platforms like Snowflake.

How to Answer

Share your experience with specific cloud data warehousing solutions, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

“I have extensive experience with Snowflake, where I designed and implemented a data warehouse for a healthcare analytics project. One challenge was optimizing query performance, which I addressed by partitioning data and using clustering keys effectively.”

Coding and Problem-Solving

1. Describe a coding challenge you faced and how you resolved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and coding proficiency.

How to Answer

Choose a specific challenge, explain the context, and detail the steps you took to resolve it.

Example

“I encountered a performance issue with a SQL query that was taking too long to execute. I analyzed the execution plan, identified missing indexes, and optimized the query structure, which reduced the execution time by over 50%.”

2. How do you ensure your code is maintainable and testable?

Code quality is crucial in collaborative environments, and interviewers will want to know your practices.

How to Answer

Discuss your coding standards, documentation practices, and testing strategies.

Example

“I follow SOLID principles to ensure my code is maintainable and modular. I also write unit tests for critical components and document my code thoroughly, which helps other team members understand and build upon my work.”

3. Can you explain a recursive SQL query and provide an example of when you would use it?

Recursive queries can be complex, and your understanding of them will be evaluated.

How to Answer

Define a recursive query and describe a scenario where it would be applicable.

Example

“A recursive SQL query is used to retrieve hierarchical data, such as organizational structures. For instance, I used a recursive CTE to fetch all employees under a specific manager, which helped in generating reports on team structures.”

4. What is your experience with RESTful API design?

APIs are integral to data engineering, and your experience with them will be scrutinized.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to designing RESTful APIs, including best practices and tools you’ve used.

Example

“I have designed several RESTful APIs using Spring Boot, focusing on clear endpoint definitions and proper use of HTTP methods. I also ensure that my APIs are well-documented using Swagger, which facilitates easier integration for front-end developers.”

5. How do you handle version control in your projects?

Version control is essential for collaboration, and your methods will be assessed.

How to Answer

Explain your experience with version control systems and how you manage code changes.

Example

“I use Git for version control, following a branching strategy that includes feature branches and pull requests for code reviews. This approach helps maintain code quality and allows for collaborative development without conflicts.”