Sanford Health Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Sanford Health is one of the largest and fastest-growing not-for-profit health systems in the United States, committed to providing innovative healthcare solutions.

The Software Engineer role at Sanford Health involves designing, developing, and maintaining high-performance software applications that play a critical role in enhancing healthcare services. Key responsibilities include leading architectural discussions, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver new features. A successful candidate will possess strong problem-solving skills, a solid understanding of software development best practices, and the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Experience in object-oriented programming, cloud technologies, and an Agile development environment is essential, as is a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation aligned with the company's mission in healthcare.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and experiences that Sanford Health values, allowing you to tailor your responses and present yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer position.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Sanford Health is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with a brief phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation usually lasts around 10-15 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Sanford Health. The recruiter will also provide an overview of the role and the company culture, ensuring that you understand the expectations and values of the organization.

2. Technical Interview

Following the phone screen, candidates are invited to participate in a technical interview, which is often conducted via video conferencing platforms like Webex. This interview may involve discussions around your technical skills, particularly in software development methodologies, design patterns, and problem-solving abilities. You may be asked to demonstrate your proficiency in programming languages relevant to the role, such as Ruby or Python, and discuss your experience with cloud technologies and application development.

3. Onsite Interview

The final stage of the interview process is an onsite interview, which typically lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. During this phase, you will meet with multiple team members, including potential colleagues and managers. The focus will be on behavioral questions that assess your teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. You may also be asked to elaborate on your past projects, your approach to software development, and how you would contribute to the team’s goals. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team dynamics and the projects you would be working on.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to express their interest in the mission of Sanford Health and how their skills align with the organization's goals.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise based on the experiences of previous candidates.

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

Understand the Company’s Mission

Sanford Health is dedicated to health and healing, and they value candidates who align with this mission. Be prepared to articulate how your skills and experiences can contribute to their goals, particularly in the context of their innovative programs like Sanford Imagenetics. Show that you are not just looking for a job, but that you are genuinely interested in making a positive impact in the healthcare sector.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

The interview process at Sanford often includes behavioral questions. Reflect on your past experiences and be ready to discuss specific situations where you demonstrated problem-solving skills, teamwork, and leadership. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your contributions and the outcomes of your actions.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Software Engineer, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency in software development. Be prepared to discuss your experience with various programming languages, particularly those mentioned in the job description, such as Ruby and Python. Highlight your understanding of software development methodologies, design patterns, and best practices. If you have experience with cloud technologies or DevOps practices, be sure to mention that as well.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role, especially since you will be collaborating with cross-functional teams and acting as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as this will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between different audiences.

Be Ready for a Collaborative Environment

Sanford Health emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. During your interview, express your enthusiasm for working in a team-oriented environment. Share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with others in previous roles, and be open to discussing how you can contribute to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the company culture aligns with your values. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of projects you would be working on, and how success is measured within the engineering team.

Be Mindful of the Interview Atmosphere

Some candidates have noted a less-than-ideal atmosphere during interviews at Sanford. Approach the interview with professionalism and positivity, regardless of the environment. Your demeanor can set a tone that reflects your adaptability and resilience, qualities that are valuable in any workplace.

Follow Up Promptly

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention how you can contribute to the team. This not only shows your professionalism but also keeps you top of mind as they make their hiring decision.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a strong candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for Sanford Health. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Sanford Health. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your fit within the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development, your approach to teamwork, and how you can contribute to the mission of Sanford Health.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe your experience with object-oriented programming and how you have applied it in your previous projects?

This question assesses your understanding of OOP principles and your practical experience in applying them.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized OOP concepts, such as inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. Highlight how these principles improved your code's maintainability and scalability.

Example

“In my last project, I developed a web application using Ruby on Rails, where I implemented OOP principles to create reusable components. By using inheritance, I was able to create a base class for user authentication that could be extended for different user roles, which streamlined our codebase and reduced redundancy.”

2. What is your experience with cloud technologies, and how have you utilized them in your software development?

This question evaluates your familiarity with cloud platforms and their integration into software solutions.

How to Answer

Mention specific cloud services you have used, such as AWS or Azure, and describe how they enhanced your projects, focusing on scalability and performance.

Example

“I have extensive experience with AWS, particularly with EC2 and S3. In a recent project, I deployed a microservices architecture on AWS, which allowed us to scale our application seamlessly during peak usage times, significantly improving our response times.”

3. How do you ensure the quality and performance of your applications?

This question looks for your approach to maintaining high standards in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for code reviews, testing, and performance tuning. Emphasize the importance of these practices in delivering reliable software.

Example

“I prioritize quality by implementing a robust testing strategy that includes unit tests, integration tests, and performance benchmarks. During code reviews, I focus on identifying potential bottlenecks and ensuring adherence to best practices, which has consistently led to high-quality releases.”

4. Can you explain a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your analytical thinking and technical expertise. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“While working on a data processing application, we encountered significant latency issues. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified that our database queries were inefficient. By optimizing the queries and implementing caching strategies, we reduced the processing time by over 50%.”

5. Describe your experience with Agile methodologies and how you have applied them in your work.

This question evaluates your familiarity with Agile practices and your ability to work in a collaborative environment.

How to Answer

Share your experience working in Agile teams, focusing on your role in sprints, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

Example

“I have been part of Agile teams for over three years, where I actively participated in daily stand-ups and sprint planning. I find that Agile methodologies foster collaboration and adaptability, which helped our team deliver features more efficiently and respond quickly to changing requirements.”

Behavioral Questions

1. How would you handle a situation where a project deadline is approaching, but you realize that the work is not going to be completed on time?

This question assesses your time management and communication skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritizing tasks, communicating with stakeholders, and finding solutions to meet deadlines.

Example

“If I realized we were falling behind, I would first assess the remaining tasks and prioritize them based on impact. I would then communicate with my team and stakeholders to set realistic expectations and explore options for reallocating resources or adjusting the timeline.”

2. Can you provide an example of how you have mentored junior engineers?

This question evaluates your leadership skills and willingness to support team development.

How to Answer

Share specific instances where you provided guidance, training, or support to junior team members.

Example

“I regularly mentor junior engineers by conducting code reviews and providing constructive feedback. I also organize knowledge-sharing sessions where I introduce them to new technologies and best practices, which has helped them grow their skills and confidence.”

3. What motivates you to work in the healthcare technology field?

This question assesses your alignment with the company’s mission and values.

How to Answer

Express your passion for technology and its impact on healthcare, and how you see your role contributing to that mission.

Example

“I am motivated by the opportunity to leverage technology to improve patient outcomes. Working at Sanford Health allows me to contribute to meaningful projects that enhance healthcare delivery, and I find it incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that makes a difference in people’s lives.”

4. How do you stay current with industry trends and advancements in technology?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed, such as online courses, webinars, or industry publications.

Example

“I stay current by following industry blogs, participating in online forums, and attending conferences. I also take online courses to deepen my knowledge of emerging technologies, which helps me bring innovative ideas to my team.”

5. How would you describe your communication style when working with non-technical stakeholders?

This question assesses your ability to convey complex technical concepts in an understandable way.

How to Answer

Highlight your approach to simplifying technical jargon and ensuring clarity in communication.

Example

“I focus on using clear, simple language and analogies to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. I also encourage questions to ensure they understand the implications of our work, which fosters better collaboration and decision-making.”