Flatiron Health Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Flatiron Health is committed to improving cancer care through innovative technology and data-driven solutions. As a Software Engineer at Flatiron, you will play a crucial role in developing applications that contribute to this mission by leveraging advanced software engineering practices.

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software systems that help collect and analyze oncology data. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand requirements, implementing efficient algorithms for data processing, and ensuring the performance and scalability of applications. A strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and system design is essential, as well as proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript.

A successful candidate will demonstrate problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for technology and healthcare. The ability to communicate effectively and work well in a team-oriented environment is vital, as you will need to engage with various stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions. Familiarity with healthcare data and an understanding of regulatory requirements in the healthcare sector will be an added advantage.

This guide will equip you with insights into the interview process at Flatiron Health, helping you to prepare effectively for coding challenges and behavioral questions. By understanding the expected competencies and the company’s values, you can present yourself confidently during interviews.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Flatiron Health is structured and thorough, designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step usually involves a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation serves to discuss your background, the role, and the company culture. The recruiter will also provide insights into the interview process and what to expect in subsequent rounds. This initial interaction is crucial for establishing rapport and understanding the candidate's motivations.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the recruiter call, candidates typically complete a technical assessment, often conducted through a platform like Codility or HackerRank. This assessment usually consists of two coding problems that test your knowledge of algorithms and data structures. Candidates are given a set time to complete the problems, and the focus is on both correctness and efficiency of the solutions.

3. Technical Phone Interview

If successful in the technical assessment, candidates are invited to a technical phone interview. This session usually lasts about 45 minutes to an hour and involves solving coding problems in real-time, often using a shared coding environment. Interviewers may ask questions that require you to explain your thought process, as well as delve into your past projects and experiences. Expect a mix of algorithmic questions and discussions about your technical background.

4. Onsite Interviews

Candidates who perform well in the phone interview are typically invited for onsite interviews, which may be conducted remotely. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds, including: - Coding Interviews: These sessions focus on solving algorithmic problems, often on a whiteboard or shared screen. Expect to tackle medium to hard-level questions that assess your problem-solving skills and coding proficiency. - System Design Interview: In this round, you will be asked to design a system or component, demonstrating your understanding of software architecture and design principles. - Behavioral Interview: This interview assesses your soft skills, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Expect questions about past experiences, collaboration, and conflict resolution. - Lunch Interview: Often informal, this session allows you to interact with team members in a relaxed setting, providing insight into the company culture.

5. Reverse Interview

After the onsite interviews, candidates may participate in a reverse interview, where they can ask questions to current employees about their experiences and the company culture. This step is designed to ensure that candidates have a clear understanding of what it’s like to work at Flatiron Health.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to engage with their interviewers and ask questions, as this demonstrates interest and initiative.

Now that you have an overview of the interview process, let’s delve into the specific questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

Familiarize yourself with the interview process at Flatiron Health, which typically includes a coding challenge followed by multiple technical interviews. Expect a mix of algorithmic questions, system design, and behavioral assessments. Knowing the structure will help you manage your time effectively and prepare accordingly.

Master Coding Challenges

Prepare for coding interviews by practicing on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank. Focus on medium to hard-level problems, especially those involving data structures and algorithms. Be ready to explain your thought process clearly, as interviewers often value your approach as much as the final solution. Brush up on common topics such as recursion, dynamic programming, and graph algorithms, as these frequently appear in interviews.

Communicate Effectively

During technical interviews, articulate your thought process as you work through problems. This not only demonstrates your problem-solving skills but also allows interviewers to understand your reasoning. If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions or discuss your thought process; this shows your willingness to collaborate and learn.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Flatiron Health places importance on cultural fit and collaboration. Be ready to discuss your past experiences, particularly those that highlight teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to work under pressure, handle conflicts, and contribute to team success.

Engage with Interviewers

While technical skills are crucial, building rapport with your interviewers can set you apart. Show genuine interest in their work and the company’s mission. Ask insightful questions about their projects and team dynamics. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if Flatiron Health is the right fit for you.

Be Ready for Code Reviews

Expect a code review session where you may be asked to debug or improve existing code. Practice reading and analyzing code, as well as explaining your thought process during this process. Being able to identify issues and suggest improvements will demonstrate your depth of understanding and attention to detail.

Stay Calm and Collected

Interviews can be stressful, but maintaining a calm demeanor is essential. If you encounter a challenging question, take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. Remember, interviewers are often looking for how you handle pressure and uncertainty, not just the correctness of your answers.

Follow Up

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decisions.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can approach your interview at Flatiron Health with confidence and clarity. Good luck!

Coding and Algorithms

1. Can you explain the difference between a stack and a queue?

Understanding data structures is crucial for a software engineer role, and this question tests your foundational knowledge.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their use cases, and how they differ in terms of data retrieval.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. It’s commonly used in scenarios like function call management. A queue, on the other hand, is a First In First Out (FIFO) structure, where the first element added is the first to be removed, making it ideal for scenarios like task scheduling.”

2. How would you implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and understanding of string manipulation.

How to Answer

Outline your approach clearly, discussing any algorithms or methods you would use to solve the problem.

Example

“I would use a two-pointer technique, where one pointer starts at the beginning of the string and the other at the end. I would compare the characters at both pointers, moving inward until they meet. If all characters match, the string is a palindrome.”

3. Describe how you would merge two sorted arrays.

This question tests your understanding of algorithms and array manipulation.

How to Answer

Explain the merging process step-by-step, focusing on efficiency and edge cases.

Example

“I would create a new array to hold the merged result. I would use two pointers, one for each array, and compare the elements at these pointers. The smaller element would be added to the new array, and the pointer for that array would be incremented. This process continues until all elements from both arrays are merged.”

4. What is dynamic programming, and can you provide an example?

Dynamic programming is a key concept in algorithm design, and this question evaluates your understanding of optimization techniques.

How to Answer

Define dynamic programming and explain its principles, then provide a specific example.

Example

“Dynamic programming is a method for solving complex problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems. An example is the Fibonacci sequence, where instead of recalculating Fibonacci numbers multiple times, I would store previously computed values in an array to avoid redundant calculations.”

5. How would you find the longest substring without repeating characters?

This question tests your ability to work with strings and your understanding of sliding window techniques.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to solving the problem, including any algorithms you would use.

Example

“I would use a sliding window approach with two pointers. I would maintain a set to track characters in the current substring. As I iterate through the string, I would expand the window by moving the right pointer and check for duplicates. If a duplicate is found, I would move the left pointer to shrink the window until there are no duplicates.”

System Design

1. How would you design a URL shortening service?

This question evaluates your system design skills and ability to think through real-world applications.

How to Answer

Outline the components of the system, including the database schema, API endpoints, and any scaling considerations.

Example

“I would start by creating a database to store the original URLs and their corresponding shortened versions. The API would have endpoints for creating a short URL and redirecting to the original URL. For scaling, I would consider using a hash function to generate unique keys and implement caching to speed up retrieval.”

2. Describe how you would design a chat application.

This question tests your ability to design a system that handles real-time communication.

How to Answer

Discuss the architecture, including client-server communication, data storage, and any protocols you would use.

Example

“I would use a client-server architecture with WebSockets for real-time communication. The server would handle message routing and storage, while the client would manage the user interface. For data storage, I would use a NoSQL database to handle the dynamic nature of chat messages.”

3. How would you design a file storage system?

This question assesses your understanding of file management and storage solutions.

How to Answer

Explain the components of the system, including file storage, retrieval, and any security measures.

Example

“I would design a distributed file storage system where files are stored across multiple servers for redundancy. Each file would have a unique identifier, and I would implement access control to ensure security. For retrieval, I would use a metadata service to locate files quickly.”

4. What considerations would you take into account when designing an API?

This question evaluates your understanding of API design principles and best practices.

How to Answer

Discuss aspects such as RESTful principles, versioning, and error handling.

Example

“I would ensure the API follows RESTful principles, using appropriate HTTP methods for actions. I would implement versioning to manage changes over time and provide clear error messages to help users troubleshoot issues.”

5. How would you handle data consistency in a distributed system?

This question tests your knowledge of distributed systems and consistency models.

How to Answer

Explain the trade-offs between consistency, availability, and partition tolerance, and discuss strategies for maintaining consistency.

Example

“I would consider using eventual consistency for scenarios where immediate consistency is not critical. Techniques like distributed transactions or consensus algorithms, such as Paxos or Raft, could be employed to ensure data consistency across nodes.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame the challenges.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Outline the project, the specific challenges faced, and the steps you took to overcome them.

Example

“I worked on a project with tight deadlines and limited resources. To overcome this, I prioritized tasks and communicated regularly with my team to ensure everyone was aligned. We also adopted agile methodologies to adapt quickly to changes, which ultimately led to the successful completion of the project.”

2. How do you handle conflicts within a team?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to conflict resolution and provide an example if possible.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I believe in addressing them directly and openly. I would facilitate a discussion between the parties involved to understand each perspective and work towards a compromise. For instance, in a previous project, I mediated a disagreement between team members about the project direction, which helped us reach a consensus and move forward.”

3. What motivates you as a software engineer?

This question assesses your passion for the field and what drives you.

How to Answer

Share your motivations and how they align with the role and company.

Example

“I am motivated by the opportunity to solve complex problems and create impactful solutions. I find great satisfaction in seeing my work improve user experiences and contribute to the success of a project. Flatiron Health’s mission to improve healthcare through technology resonates with my desire to make a difference.”

4. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your prioritization strategies and tools you use to stay organized.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and the impact they have on the project. I use tools like Trello to manage my tasks and set clear milestones. Regular check-ins with my team also help ensure we’re aligned on priorities and can adjust as needed.”

5. Why do you want to work at Flatiron Health?

This question assesses your interest in the company and its mission.

How to Answer

Discuss what specifically attracts you to Flatiron Health and how your values align with the company’s mission.

Example

“I am drawn to Flatiron Health because of its commitment to leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes. I admire the innovative approach to data analytics in healthcare and believe my skills in software engineering can contribute to meaningful advancements in this field.”