Cotiviti Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Cotiviti is a leading solutions and analytics company dedicated to enhancing the performance of the healthcare system through innovative technology and deep insights derived from clinical and financial datasets.

The Software Engineer role at Cotiviti entails the design and development of robust software applications and reusable components for the company's product suite. Key responsibilities include crafting high-quality, maintainable software modules, conducting unit and integration testing, and collaborating seamlessly with Senior Developers, QA teams, Product Owners, and Project Management. Candidates should possess a solid foundation in programming languages such as Java or C#, along with web services expertise using Java and Spring Boot or C# with ASP.NET. A strong grasp of database management, specifically with Microsoft SQL Server or HBASE, as well as proficiency in handling large datasets and optimizing SQL queries, is essential.

In addition to technical skills, the ideal candidate will demonstrate effective communication abilities, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous learning in emerging technologies. Familiarity with agile methodologies, particularly SAFe Agile, and experience in the healthcare domain are advantageous. This guide is designed to help you navigate the interview process confidently, equipping you with insights into what Cotiviti values in their Software Engineers and how you can best showcase your skills and experiences.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Cotiviti is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of multiple rounds, each designed to evaluate different competencies relevant to the role.

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, which is usually conducted via a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation focuses on your background, experience, and motivations for applying to Cotiviti. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Software Engineer role, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates typically undergo a technical assessment. This may take the form of an online coding challenge or a live coding interview. During this stage, you can expect to solve coding problems that test your proficiency in languages such as Java or C#. Questions may cover data structures, algorithms, and specific scenarios relevant to the healthcare analytics domain. Additionally, you may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of frameworks like Spring Boot and your ability to work with databases such as SQL Server.

3. Technical Interviews

Candidates who successfully pass the technical assessment will move on to one or more technical interviews. These interviews are often conducted by a panel of engineers and may include in-depth discussions about your previous projects, coding practices, and problem-solving approaches. Expect to answer questions that require you to explain your thought process and justify your design choices. You may also be asked to tackle more complex coding problems or system design questions that reflect real-world challenges faced at Cotiviti.

4. Managerial and Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical skills, Cotiviti places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and teamwork. As such, candidates will likely participate in managerial and behavioral interviews. These interviews assess your soft skills, including communication, collaboration, and adaptability. You may be asked to provide examples of how you have handled challenges in previous roles, worked within a team, or contributed to project success.

5. Final Interview and Offer Discussion

The final stage of the interview process may involve a discussion with higher-level management or team leads. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team dynamics, company goals, and future projects. Additionally, this stage may include discussions about salary expectations and benefits, so be prepared to negotiate based on your research and experience.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during each stage of the process.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

Cotiviti's interview process typically consists of multiple rounds, including technical assessments and managerial discussions. Familiarize yourself with the common structure: an initial coding challenge, followed by technical interviews focusing on Java, Spring Boot, and SQL. Knowing what to expect can help you manage your time and energy effectively during the interview.

Prepare for Coding Challenges

Expect to solve coding problems that may include string manipulation, dynamic programming, and data structures. Practice coding questions that are commonly asked in interviews, such as reversing strings or finding duplicates in arrays. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly as you solve these problems.

Brush Up on Core Technologies

Given the emphasis on Java and Spring Boot, ensure you have a solid understanding of these technologies. Review foundational concepts, such as object-oriented programming principles, design patterns, and RESTful services. Additionally, be prepared to discuss your experience with databases, particularly Microsoft SQL Server, and demonstrate your ability to optimize SQL queries.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During the interview, you may be asked to design a solution or troubleshoot a hypothetical scenario. Approach these questions methodically: clarify requirements, outline your thought process, and discuss potential trade-offs. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think critically under pressure.

Communicate Effectively

Cotiviti values collaboration and communication. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences working in teams, how you handle feedback, and your approach to mentoring others. Use specific examples to illustrate your points, and ensure you listen actively to the interviewers' questions and comments.

Align with Company Culture

Cotiviti is focused on healthcare analytics and improving financial performance in the healthcare system. Familiarize yourself with the company's mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their goals. Showing genuine interest in the company's work can set you apart from other candidates.

Be Transparent About Salary Expectations

Some candidates have reported that salary discussions can be a point of contention. Be clear and upfront about your salary expectations, but also be open to negotiation. Research industry standards for similar roles to ensure your expectations are reasonable and backed by data.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This not only shows professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position. Use this opportunity to briefly reiterate why you believe you would be a great fit for the role.

By following these tips, you can approach your interview with confidence and a clear strategy, increasing your chances of success at Cotiviti. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Cotiviti. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of software development principles, particularly in Java, Spring Boot, and SQL. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge through coding challenges and discussions about your past experiences.

Coding and Algorithms

1. Can you explain how you would reverse a string in Java?

This question tests your understanding of basic string manipulation in Java.

How to Answer

Discuss the different methods available in Java for string manipulation, such as using a loop or built-in functions. Be sure to mention the time complexity of your approach.

Example

“I would use a simple loop to iterate through the string from the end to the beginning, appending each character to a new string. Alternatively, I could convert the string to a character array, reverse it using Arrays.reverse(), and then convert it back to a string.”

2. How would you find all duplicates in an array using a lambda function?

This question assesses your knowledge of Java's functional programming features.

How to Answer

Explain how you can utilize Java Streams to filter and collect duplicates from the array.

Example

“I would convert the array to a stream, use the groupingBy collector to group elements, and then filter the groups to find those with a count greater than one. This approach is efficient and leverages Java's functional programming capabilities.”

3. Describe a dynamic programming problem you have solved.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and understanding of dynamic programming.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a dynamic programming problem, explaining the approach you took to solve it.

Example

“I worked on the Fibonacci sequence problem, where I used memoization to store previously computed values. This reduced the time complexity from exponential to linear, significantly improving performance.”

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

This question tests your understanding of fundamental data structures.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both data structures and their use cases.

Example

“A stack follows the Last In First Out (LIFO) principle, while a queue follows the First In First Out (FIFO) principle. Stacks are useful for backtracking algorithms, while queues are ideal for scheduling tasks.”

5. How do you handle errors in your code?

This question assesses your debugging and error-handling skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to identifying and resolving errors, including the tools and techniques you use.

Example

“I use logging to capture error messages and stack traces, which helps me identify the source of the problem. I also write unit tests to catch errors early in the development process.”

Java and Spring Boot

1. What are the key features of Spring Boot?

This question evaluates your knowledge of the Spring Boot framework.

How to Answer

Discuss the main features that make Spring Boot a popular choice for building applications.

Example

“Spring Boot simplifies the setup of new applications by providing default configurations, embedded servers, and a wide range of starter dependencies. It also supports microservices architecture, making it easier to develop and deploy applications.”

2. How do you manage dependencies in a Spring Boot application?

This question tests your understanding of dependency management in Spring Boot.

How to Answer

Explain how you use Maven or Gradle to manage dependencies in your projects.

Example

“I use Maven to manage dependencies in my Spring Boot applications. I define the required dependencies in the pom.xml file, and Maven handles downloading and including them in the project.”

3. Can you explain the concept of dependency injection?

This question assesses your understanding of a core principle in Spring.

How to Answer

Discuss how dependency injection promotes loose coupling and enhances testability.

Example

“Dependency injection allows a class to receive its dependencies from an external source rather than creating them internally. This promotes loose coupling and makes it easier to test components in isolation.”

4. Describe how you would implement RESTful services in Spring Boot.

This question evaluates your experience with building web services.

How to Answer

Outline the steps you would take to create a RESTful service using Spring Boot.

Example

“I would use the @RestController annotation to define my controller, map HTTP requests to methods using @RequestMapping, and return data in JSON format. I would also implement error handling and validation to ensure robust services.”

5. How do you perform unit testing in a Spring Boot application?

This question tests your knowledge of testing practices in Spring Boot.

How to Answer

Explain the tools and frameworks you use for unit testing in Spring Boot.

Example

“I use JUnit and Mockito for unit testing in Spring Boot. I write tests for my service methods, mocking dependencies to isolate the unit being tested. This ensures that my code behaves as expected.”

SQL and Databases

1. How do you optimize SQL queries?

This question assesses your knowledge of database performance tuning.

How to Answer

Discuss the techniques you use to improve the performance of SQL queries.

Example

“I analyze query execution plans to identify bottlenecks, use indexing to speed up searches, and avoid unnecessary joins. I also ensure that I’m selecting only the columns I need to reduce data transfer.”

2. Can you explain the difference between a primary key and a foreign key?

This question tests your understanding of database relationships.

How to Answer

Define both terms and explain their roles in relational databases.

Example

“A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, while a foreign key establishes a relationship between two tables by referencing the primary key of another table. This enforces referential integrity in the database.”

3. Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a database issue.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills in a database context.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a database issue you encountered and how you resolved it.

Example

“I once faced a performance issue with a slow-running query. I analyzed the execution plan and discovered that missing indexes were causing full table scans. After adding the necessary indexes, the query performance improved significantly.”

4. How do you handle data migrations in a database?

This question assesses your experience with database management.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to managing data migrations safely and effectively.

Example

“I use migration tools like Flyway or Liquibase to manage database changes. I create versioned migration scripts that can be applied incrementally, ensuring that the database schema remains consistent across environments.”

5. What is normalization, and why is it important?

This question tests your understanding of database design principles.

How to Answer

Define normalization and discuss its benefits in database design.

Example

“Normalization is the process of organizing data in a database to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. It’s important because it helps maintain consistency and makes it easier to manage data relationships.”