Exact Sciences Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Exact Sciences is dedicated to transforming how the world prevents, detects, and treats cancer, providing valuable insights that empower patients and clinicians to make informed decisions.

As a Software Engineer at Exact Sciences, you will play a critical role in analyzing the software needs of users and translating those requirements into effective functional specifications. Your responsibilities will encompass designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining various software systems, including applications and database systems. You will also oversee software releases and may take on project management duties for larger initiatives while mentoring junior engineers through collaborative code reviews and design sessions. Your work will be grounded in the company’s core values of accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive mindset. A successful candidate will possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, along with excellent communication skills, ensuring alignment with the company’s mission of advancing cancer care.

This guide is designed to equip you with the insights needed to excel in your interview for the Software Engineer role at Exact Sciences, allowing you to confidently showcase your skills and alignment with the company’s values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Exact Sciences is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages designed to evaluate your experience, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with the company's core values.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The process begins with a 30-minute phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation is focused on introductions and a discussion of your background, including your motivations for applying to Exact Sciences. Expect questions that gauge your interest in the company and the specific role, as well as inquiries about your relevant experiences and skills.

2. Hiring Manager Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically have an interview with the hiring manager. This session delves deeper into your technical expertise and how your background aligns with the needs of the team. The hiring manager may ask about your experience with software development, database design, and any relevant technologies you have worked with. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team dynamics and project expectations.

3. Team Member Interviews

Next, candidates usually participate in a series of interviews with team members. These interviews are often structured around the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, focusing on behavioral questions that reflect the company's core values such as accountability, innovation, and teamwork. Each interview typically lasts around 30 minutes, and you may meet with multiple team members to assess your fit within the team.

4. Panel Interview

In some cases, candidates may be invited to a panel interview, which can include multiple executives or senior team members. This stage may involve a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as a case study or problem-solving exercise. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences in detail and demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills.

5. Final Interview

The final step in the interview process often involves a conversation with higher-level management or directors. This interview may focus on your long-term career goals, your understanding of the company's mission, and how you can contribute to the organization's objectives. Expect to discuss your vision for the role and how you can help advance the company's mission to improve cancer detection and treatment.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each stage, particularly those that align with the company's values and the specific skills required for the role.

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

Understand the Company’s Mission

Exact Sciences is dedicated to changing lives through cancer prevention and treatment. Familiarize yourself with their mission and values, particularly their focus on accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. Be prepared to articulate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission. This will not only demonstrate your interest in the company but also show that you are a good cultural fit.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

The interview process at Exact Sciences often utilizes the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method for behavioral questions. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your strengths, weaknesses, and how you handle challenges. Focus on scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and accountability, as these are core values of the company.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

While the interviews may not be heavily technical, it’s essential to demonstrate your proficiency in relevant programming languages and tools, such as SQL, Python, and database design. Be ready to discuss your experience with software development processes, including any projects where you led a team or mentored junior engineers. Highlight your ability to optimize system performance and your familiarity with source code management tools.

Engage with the Interviewers

During your interviews, especially with team members and managers, engage in a two-way conversation. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the company’s future direction. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the environment is a good fit for you. Remember, interviews are as much about you assessing the company as they are about the company assessing you.

Be Ready for a Panel Interview

Expect to face a panel of interviewers, which may include HR, team leads, and other engineers. Each interviewer may focus on different aspects of your experience and skills. Stay calm and composed, and remember to address each interviewer directly. Prepare for a variety of questions, including those about your motivation for joining Exact Sciences and how you handle difficult situations or limited resources.

Follow Up with Purpose

After your interviews, send a thoughtful follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Use this as a chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company. If there were any points during the interview that you feel you could have elaborated on, this is a good time to address them briefly.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interviews at Exact Sciences. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Exact Sciences. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with the company's core values. Be prepared to discuss your experience in software development, teamwork, and how you can contribute to the mission of improving cancer detection and treatment.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe your experience with Service Oriented Architecture and how you have implemented it in past projects?

Understanding Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is crucial for this role, as it relates to how software components interact.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized SOA, focusing on the challenges faced and how you overcame them. Highlight your understanding of web services and RESTful methods.

Example

“In my previous role, I led a project where we transitioned a monolithic application to a microservices architecture using SOA principles. This involved breaking down the application into smaller, manageable services that communicated via RESTful APIs. This not only improved our deployment times but also enhanced system scalability.”

2. How do you approach debugging and optimizing application performance?

Debugging and optimization are key responsibilities for a Software Engineer.

How to Answer

Explain your systematic approach to identifying performance bottlenecks and the tools you use for debugging.

Example

“I typically start by analyzing application logs and using profiling tools to identify slow-performing areas. For instance, in a recent project, I discovered that a database query was causing delays. By optimizing the query and adding appropriate indexing, I was able to reduce the response time by over 50%.”

3. What is your experience with database design and management?

Database design is a critical aspect of software engineering, especially in a data-driven environment like Exact Sciences.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with different database systems and your approach to designing efficient schemas.

Example

“I have extensive experience with both SQL and NoSQL databases. In my last project, I designed a relational database schema that normalized data to reduce redundancy while ensuring fast access times. I also implemented stored procedures to handle complex queries efficiently.”

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

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method to structure your response, focusing on the situation, task, action, and result.

Example

“While working on a critical application, we faced a major performance issue during peak usage. I led a team to analyze the system architecture and identified that our caching strategy was inadequate. We implemented a distributed caching solution, which improved our application’s response time by 70% during high traffic.”

5. How do you stay current with new technologies and software development practices?

Continuous learning is essential in the tech industry.

How to Answer

Share your strategies for keeping up with industry trends, such as attending conferences, online courses, or reading relevant literature.

Example

“I regularly attend software development conferences and participate in online courses to learn about emerging technologies. I also follow several tech blogs and forums to stay updated on best practices and new tools in the industry.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult teammate. How did you handle it?

Teamwork is vital at Exact Sciences, and they want to see how you navigate interpersonal challenges.

How to Answer

Focus on your communication skills and ability to find common ground.

Example

“In a previous project, I worked with a teammate who had a very different working style. I initiated a one-on-one conversation to understand their perspective and shared my own. By establishing clear communication and setting mutual goals, we were able to collaborate effectively and complete the project ahead of schedule.”

2. Can you give an example of a time you took accountability for a mistake?

This question assesses your integrity and accountability.

How to Answer

Be honest about a mistake you made and how you took responsibility.

Example

“I once overlooked a critical bug in a software release that affected user experience. I immediately informed my manager and the team, took ownership of the issue, and worked overtime to develop a fix. This experience taught me the importance of thorough testing and communication.”

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

Time management is crucial in a fast-paced environment.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks and managing deadlines.

Example

“I use a combination of project management tools and the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize my tasks. I assess the urgency and importance of each task and allocate my time accordingly. This approach has helped me meet deadlines consistently while maintaining high-quality work.”

4. Tell me about a time you contributed to a team’s success.

This question evaluates your teamwork and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Highlight your role in a successful project and the impact of your contributions.

Example

“During a major software release, I took the initiative to organize daily stand-up meetings to ensure everyone was aligned. My efforts in facilitating communication and addressing blockers helped the team deliver the project two weeks ahead of schedule.”

5. Why do you want to work at Exact Sciences?

This question gauges your motivation and alignment with the company’s mission.

How to Answer

Express your passion for the company’s mission and how your values align with theirs.

Example

“I am deeply motivated by the mission of Exact Sciences to improve cancer detection and treatment. I believe that my skills in software engineering can contribute to developing innovative solutions that make a real difference in patients' lives.”