Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is dedicated to ending cancer for life through innovative research and personalized patient care.

As a Software Engineer at MSK, you will be integral to developing and supporting bioinformatics and biomedical informatics solutions that assist in diagnosing cancer and recommending treatment paths. Your role will involve collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including software engineers, bioinformatics researchers, and clinicians, to design, implement, and deploy scalable software systems that handle large volumes of biological data. You'll be responsible for creating high-throughput automation pipelines, developing API services, and ensuring that all software adheres to the highest standards of quality and performance. A strong foundation in programming languages such as Python or Java, experience with cloud platforms like AWS, and knowledge of database technologies are essential. Additionally, your ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, and adapt to new challenges will set you apart as a candidate.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview by highlighting key competencies, potential questions, and the cultural fit at MSK, ensuring you feel confident and ready to showcase your unique skills and experiences.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is structured and thorough, designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. The process typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Phone Screening

The first step is a phone screening, usually lasting about 30 minutes. This interview is conducted by a recruiter and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to MSK. Expect questions about your resume, your interest in the role, and how your skills align with the mission of the organization. This is also an opportunity for you to ask preliminary questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates are invited to participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. This interview typically lasts around 45 minutes to an hour and focuses on your programming skills, particularly in languages such as Python or Java. You may be asked to solve coding problems in real-time, discuss algorithms, and demonstrate your understanding of software development principles. Be prepared to explain your thought process and approach to problem-solving.

3. Panel Interview

The next stage often involves a panel interview with multiple team members, including engineers and possibly a manager. This round is more in-depth and may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions. You will be assessed on your ability to work collaboratively, your communication skills, and your problem-solving capabilities. Expect situational questions that require you to demonstrate how you handle challenges and work within a team.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, there may be a final interview with senior management or key stakeholders. This interview is typically less technical and more focused on your alignment with the organization's values and mission. You may be asked about your long-term career goals, how you handle feedback, and your approach to continuous learning and development. This is also a chance for you to ask more strategic questions about the direction of the team and the organization.

5. Coding Assessment (if applicable)

Some candidates may be required to complete a coding assessment prior to or during the interview process. This assessment typically involves solving algorithmic problems or building a small application within a set timeframe. Familiarity with platforms like Codility may be beneficial, as this is often the medium through which assessments are conducted.

As you prepare for your interview, keep in mind the types of questions that may be asked in each of these stages.

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

Understand the Mission and Culture

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is deeply committed to ending cancer for life. Familiarize yourself with their mission, values, and recent advancements in cancer research. This understanding will not only help you answer questions about why you want to work there but also allow you to align your responses with their goals. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences can contribute to their mission.

Prepare for a Multi-Round Interview Process

The interview process typically consists of multiple rounds, including HR screening, technical interviews, and team interviews. Each round may focus on different aspects, from your technical skills to your cultural fit within the team. Be ready to articulate your experiences clearly and concisely, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about the team dynamics and projects during your interviews.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency

Given the emphasis on algorithms and programming languages like Python, ensure you are well-prepared to discuss your technical skills. Brush up on algorithmic concepts and be ready to solve coding problems, as technical interviews may include live coding sessions or take-home assessments. Familiarize yourself with common data structures and algorithms, and practice coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.

Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit

Collaboration is key at MSK, as you will be working alongside engineers, researchers, and clinicians. Be prepared to share examples of how you have successfully collaborated on projects in the past. Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Reflect on past experiences where you faced obstacles, worked through conflicts, or demonstrated resilience. This will help you convey your soft skills and adaptability.

Know Your Resume Inside and Out

Interviewers will likely ask questions based on your resume, so be prepared to discuss your past roles, projects, and achievements in detail. Highlight specific contributions you made and the impact they had on your team or organization. This will demonstrate your expertise and help you build credibility during the interview.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team, projects, and company culture. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Inquire about the technologies they use, the challenges they face, and how success is measured within the team.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from your conversation that reinforces your fit for the position. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you can approach your interview with confidence and demonstrate that you are not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The interview process will likely assess both technical skills and cultural fit, focusing on your ability to work collaboratively in a healthcare environment. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development, problem-solving, and your motivation for working in a mission-driven organization.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between an array, stack, and queue?

Understanding data structures is fundamental for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of each data structure, including their use cases and performance implications.

Example

"An array is a collection of elements identified by index or key, allowing for fast access but fixed size. A stack is a last-in, first-out (LIFO) structure, ideal for scenarios like function calls. A queue, on the other hand, is first-in, first-out (FIFO), suitable for scheduling tasks."

2. Describe a time when you had to debug a complex issue in your code. What was your approach?

Debugging is a critical skill for software engineers.

How to Answer

Outline your systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, emphasizing your problem-solving skills.

Example

"I encountered a memory leak in a web application. I used profiling tools to monitor memory usage, identified the problematic code, and refactored it to ensure proper resource management, which resolved the issue."

3. How do you ensure the quality of your code?

Quality assurance is vital in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for writing clean, maintainable code, including testing and code reviews.

Example

"I follow best practices such as writing unit tests and conducting code reviews with peers. I also use static analysis tools to catch potential issues early in the development process."

4. What experience do you have with RESTful APIs?

APIs are crucial for modern software applications.

How to Answer

Share your experience in designing, implementing, or consuming RESTful APIs, highlighting any frameworks you’ve used.

Example

"I have developed RESTful APIs using Flask in Python, focusing on creating endpoints that adhere to REST principles. I also ensure proper documentation and versioning for ease of use."

5. Can you describe your experience with cloud platforms, particularly AWS?

Cloud computing is increasingly important in software engineering.

How to Answer

Discuss specific services you’ve used and how they contributed to your projects.

Example

"I have utilized AWS services like S3 for storage and EC2 for hosting applications. I also implemented CI/CD pipelines using AWS CodePipeline to automate deployments."

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center?

Understanding your motivation is key for cultural fit.

How to Answer

Express your alignment with the organization's mission and values.

Example

"I am passionate about using technology to make a difference in healthcare. MSK's commitment to ending cancer aligns with my desire to contribute to meaningful work that impacts patients' lives."

2. Describe a situation where you had a conflict with a team member. How did you handle it?

Collaboration is essential in a team environment.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, focusing on your communication and conflict resolution skills.

Example

"I had a disagreement with a colleague over the implementation of a feature. I initiated a one-on-one discussion to understand their perspective, which led to a compromise that improved the final product."

3. How do you handle criticism of your work?

Being receptive to feedback is important for growth.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to receiving and acting on constructive criticism.

Example

"I view criticism as an opportunity for growth. When I receive feedback, I take time to reflect on it and implement changes to improve my work in the future."

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question assesses your career aspirations and alignment with the company.

How to Answer

Share your professional goals and how they relate to the role.

Example

"In five years, I see myself as a lead software engineer, contributing to innovative projects at MSK and mentoring junior developers to foster a collaborative team environment."

5. How do you promote diversity and inclusion in your work?

Diversity is a core value for many organizations.

How to Answer

Discuss your commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.

Example

"I actively seek diverse perspectives in team discussions and advocate for inclusive practices in project planning. I believe that diverse teams lead to more innovative solutions."