Butterfly Network Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Butterfly Network is a pioneering medical imaging company that is transforming the way healthcare is delivered through innovative ultrasound technology.

As a Software Engineer at Butterfly Network, you will play a critical role in developing and enhancing software applications that support groundbreaking medical imaging solutions. Your primary responsibilities will include coding, testing, and implementing software to ensure optimal performance of ultrasound devices. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers and data scientists, to identify technical challenges and propose effective solutions. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in software development principles, experience with algorithms and data structures, and proficiency in programming languages such as Python or C++. Additionally, a keen interest in healthcare technology and a commitment to improving patient outcomes align with Butterfly Network's mission of making healthcare accessible and efficient.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the interview process effectively, offering insights that will prepare you for the types of questions you may encounter and how to demonstrate your fit for the company and role.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Butterfly Network is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically unfolds in several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with the team.

1. Initial Recruiter Screen

The process begins with a brief phone call with a recruiter. This initial screen usually lasts around 10 to 30 minutes and focuses on discussing your resume, work history, and the specifics of the role. The recruiter will gauge your interest in the position and provide an overview of what it’s like to work at Butterfly Network. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any preliminary questions about the company and the role.

2. Technical Screen

Following the recruiter screen, candidates typically participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video call. This interview usually lasts about an hour and involves solving coding problems or discussing technical challenges relevant to the role. Interviewers may present a real-world problem that the team has faced, and candidates are expected to articulate their thought process and approach to solving it. Be prepared for questions that assess your coding skills, algorithms, and system design knowledge.

3. Additional Technical Interviews

Candidates who successfully pass the technical screen may be invited to participate in one or more additional technical interviews. These interviews often involve coding exercises and system design questions, where you will be asked to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in real-time. Expect to engage in discussions that require you to think critically and communicate your reasoning clearly.

4. Team Fit and Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical assessments, candidates may also undergo interviews focused on behavioral questions. These interviews aim to evaluate how well you align with the company culture and values. You may be asked about past projects, teamwork experiences, and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment. This is a chance for you to showcase your interpersonal skills and how you can contribute to the team dynamic.

5. Final Interview and Presentation

Some candidates may be required to give a presentation as part of the final interview stage. This presentation could involve discussing a past project or a technical topic relevant to the role. It serves as an opportunity for you to demonstrate your communication skills and technical knowledge while also allowing the interviewers to assess your ability to engage with the team.

The entire interview process can take several weeks, and candidates are encouraged to follow up with recruiters for updates. Now that you have an understanding of the interview process, let’s delve into the types of questions you might encounter during your interviews.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Butterfly Network typically involves multiple stages, including an initial phone screen followed by one-on-one technical interviews. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Expect to discuss your past projects in detail, as interviewers may ask you to elaborate on your experiences. Be ready to articulate how your background aligns with the role, and don’t hesitate to highlight relevant projects even if they are not an exact match.

Prepare for Technical Challenges

Technical interviews at Butterfly Network often include coding questions and problem-solving scenarios. Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in languages relevant to the role, and practice common algorithms and data structures. You may also encounter system design questions, so be prepared to discuss your thought process and approach to designing scalable systems. Engaging in mock interviews can help you gain confidence and improve your ability to communicate your solutions effectively.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During interviews, you may be presented with real-world problems that the company has faced. Approach these questions methodically: define the problem, identify key metrics, and propose a solution. This demonstrates not only your technical skills but also your ability to think critically and strategically. Be prepared to discuss how you would tackle similar challenges in the role you are applying for.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Effective communication is crucial in interviews. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex technical concepts. Be mindful of your tone and body language, as these can convey confidence and enthusiasm. If you encounter vague questions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification to ensure you understand what the interviewer is looking for.

Embrace the Company Culture

Butterfly Network values collaboration and a supportive work environment. During your interviews, express your enthusiasm for teamwork and your willingness to contribute to a positive culture. Share examples of how you have successfully collaborated with others in the past, and be open about your desire to learn from your colleagues. This will help you align yourself with the company’s values and demonstrate that you would be a good cultural fit.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interviews, consider sending a follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. This is also a chance to address any points you feel you could have elaborated on during the interview. A thoughtful follow-up can leave a lasting impression and reinforce your enthusiasm for the position.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and clarity, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Butterfly Network. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Butterfly Network. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you approach software development challenges. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, coding skills, and your understanding of system design.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe a challenging technical problem you faced in a past project and how you resolved it?

This question aims to assess your problem-solving skills and your ability to navigate complex technical challenges.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific problem, the steps you took to analyze it, and the solution you implemented. Highlight any tools or technologies you used and the impact of your solution.

Example

“In my last project, we faced a significant performance issue with our application. I conducted a thorough analysis using profiling tools, identified bottlenecks in our database queries, and optimized them by implementing indexing strategies. This reduced our response time by 40%, greatly improving user experience.”

2. What is your experience with version control systems, particularly Git?

Understanding version control is crucial for collaboration in software development.

How to Answer

Share your experience with Git, including how you use it in your workflow, and any specific features you find particularly useful.

Example

“I have been using Git for version control in all my projects. I regularly use branching and merging strategies to manage features and bug fixes. I also utilize pull requests for code reviews, which helps maintain code quality and facilitates team collaboration.”

3. How do you approach debugging a complex issue in your code?

This question evaluates your debugging skills and your systematic approach to problem-solving.

How to Answer

Explain your debugging process, including any tools or techniques you use to identify and fix issues.

Example

“When debugging, I first try to reproduce the issue consistently. I then use logging to gather more information about the state of the application at the time of the error. If necessary, I will isolate the problematic code and use a debugger to step through the execution flow, which helps me pinpoint the root cause.”

4. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs and how you have implemented them?

Understanding APIs is essential for modern software development, especially in web applications.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and discuss your experience in designing or consuming them, including any frameworks you’ve used.

Example

“RESTful APIs are architectural styles that use HTTP requests to access and manipulate data. In my previous role, I designed a RESTful API using Flask, which allowed our frontend application to interact with the backend seamlessly. I implemented CRUD operations and ensured proper authentication and error handling.”

5. Describe your experience with cloud services and how you have utilized them in your projects.

Cloud services are increasingly important in software development, and familiarity with them is a plus.

How to Answer

Discuss specific cloud platforms you’ve worked with and how you’ve integrated them into your projects.

Example

“I have experience using AWS for deploying applications. In one project, I utilized AWS Lambda for serverless functions, which allowed us to scale efficiently without managing servers. I also used S3 for storage and RDS for our database needs, which streamlined our deployment process.”

System Design

1. How would you design a scalable system for a high-traffic web application?

This question tests your understanding of system architecture and scalability.

How to Answer

Outline the key components of your design, including load balancing, database management, and caching strategies.

Example

“I would start by implementing a load balancer to distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers. For the database, I would use a combination of SQL and NoSQL databases to handle structured and unstructured data. Additionally, I would implement caching using Redis to reduce database load and improve response times.”

2. Can you walk us through the process of designing a microservices architecture?

Microservices are a popular architectural style, and understanding them is crucial for modern applications.

How to Answer

Explain the principles of microservices and how you would approach designing them for a specific application.

Example

“When designing a microservices architecture, I would first identify the different services based on business capabilities. Each service would have its own database to ensure loose coupling. I would use API gateways for communication and implement service discovery to manage service instances dynamically.”

3. What considerations do you take into account when designing a database schema?

Database design is critical for application performance and data integrity.

How to Answer

Discuss the factors you consider, such as normalization, indexing, and relationships between entities.

Example

“I consider normalization to reduce data redundancy while ensuring that the schema supports the necessary relationships between entities. I also focus on indexing frequently queried fields to improve performance and ensure that the schema can accommodate future growth.”

4. How would you ensure the security of a web application?

Security is a vital aspect of software development, and interviewers want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Outline the security measures you would implement, including authentication, authorization, and data protection.

Example

“I would implement HTTPS to encrypt data in transit and use OAuth for secure authentication. Additionally, I would validate user inputs to prevent SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks. Regular security audits and updates would also be part of my strategy to maintain application security.”

5. Describe a time when you had to refactor code. What was your approach?

Refactoring is an important skill for maintaining code quality and performance.

How to Answer

Share your experience with refactoring, including the reasons for it and the steps you took.

Example

“I had a project where the codebase had become difficult to maintain due to technical debt. I started by identifying the most problematic areas and created a plan to refactor them incrementally. I ensured that I had comprehensive tests in place before making changes, which helped me maintain functionality while improving code readability and performance.”