GSK Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

GSK is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to uniting science, technology, and talent to advance health and well-being.

As a Software Engineer at GSK, you will play a vital role in developing cutting-edge software solutions that support the company's mission to transform healthcare through innovative applications of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Your key responsibilities will include designing, building, and maintaining high-quality software that integrates seamlessly with cloud-native infrastructures and supports GSK’s extensive research and development efforts. Candidates will need to demonstrate expertise in modern software development practices, including experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, as well as proficiency in programming languages such as Python.

Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, as you will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that software solutions are tailored to meet both user needs and business objectives. Ideal candidates will possess a solid understanding of software architecture and design principles, and will have a passion for continuous learning and development, aligned with GSK's values of ownership and collaboration.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by providing insight into the specific skills and experiences that GSK values, along with tips on how to showcase your qualifications in ways that resonate with the company's mission and culture.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at GSK is designed to be thorough and engaging, ensuring that candidates are well-suited for both the technical and cultural aspects of the company. The process typically unfolds in several structured stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a preliminary phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation is generally focused on understanding your background, motivations for applying, and basic qualifications. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, allowing you to gauge your fit within GSK.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could involve a coding challenge or a take-home project that tests your programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with relevant technologies such as Python, Docker, or cloud platforms. The assessment is designed to evaluate your technical proficiency and your approach to software development.

3. Technical Interviews

Successful candidates from the technical assessment will move on to one or more technical interviews. These interviews typically involve discussions with senior engineers or team leads and may cover a range of topics, including system design, algorithms, and specific technologies relevant to the role. Expect to answer questions that assess your understanding of software architecture, database design, and cloud-native computing.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical skills, GSK places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and collaboration. Behavioral interviews will focus on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you align with GSK's values. You may be asked to provide examples of how you've handled challenges, worked with cross-functional teams, or contributed to a positive work environment. The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method is often encouraged for structuring your responses.

5. Final Interview

The final stage usually involves a wrap-up interview with higher management or a panel of interviewers. This session may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as discussions about your career aspirations and how they align with GSK's goals. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team, projects, and the company’s vision.

6. Offer and Negotiation

If you successfully navigate the interview process, you will receive a job offer. GSK is known for being transparent about compensation and benefits, and this stage will involve discussions about salary, bonuses, and other perks associated with the role.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and past experiences.

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

Embrace the Company Culture

GSK values collaboration, accountability, and continuous development. During your interview, demonstrate your alignment with these principles. Share examples of how you have worked effectively in teams, taken ownership of projects, and pursued personal and professional growth. This will show that you not only understand GSK's culture but also embody it.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a significant focus on behavioral questions that assess your fit with GSK's values. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Prepare specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work cross-functionally, and how you've handled challenges in past roles. This will help you articulate your experiences clearly and effectively.

Showcase Technical Proficiency

As a software engineer, you will likely face technical questions related to your expertise in programming languages, cloud services, and software development practices. Brush up on your knowledge of Python, Docker, Kubernetes, and any relevant frameworks. Be ready to discuss your previous projects in detail, including the technologies used and the impact of your contributions.

Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios

GSK interviews may include problem-solving scenarios or case studies. Practice thinking aloud as you work through these problems, as interviewers often look for your thought process rather than just the final answer. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to approach complex challenges methodically.

Communicate Your Passion for Innovation

GSK is focused on leveraging advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to drive innovation in healthcare. Be prepared to discuss your interest in these areas and how you have applied innovative solutions in your previous work. Highlight any experience you have with data-driven applications or machine learning projects, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and GSK's future direction in technology. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also helps you assess if GSK is the right fit for you. Questions about how the team collaborates on projects or how they measure success can provide valuable insights.

Follow Up with Gratitude

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from your conversation that resonated with you. This not only reinforces your interest in the position but also leaves a positive impression on your interviewers.

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 GSK. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at GSK. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you align with GSK's values and culture. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical knowledge, and how you can contribute to GSK's mission.

Technical Skills

1. Describe your experience with Docker and Kubernetes. How have you used these technologies in your previous projects?

GSK is interested in your hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration tools. Highlight specific projects where you utilized these technologies to improve deployment processes or scalability.

How to Answer

Discuss the specific use cases of Docker and Kubernetes in your projects, focusing on how they enhanced your development workflow or application performance.

Example

“In my last project, I used Docker to containerize our microservices, which simplified our deployment process. We then orchestrated these containers with Kubernetes, allowing us to scale our services dynamically based on traffic. This setup reduced our downtime during updates and improved our overall system reliability.”

2. Can you explain the differences between REST and GraphQL? When would you choose one over the other?

Understanding API design is crucial for a software engineer at GSK. This question assesses your knowledge of different API architectures.

How to Answer

Explain the fundamental differences between REST and GraphQL, and provide scenarios where one might be more advantageous than the other.

Example

“REST is resource-oriented and uses multiple endpoints for different resources, while GraphQL allows clients to request exactly the data they need through a single endpoint. I would choose GraphQL for applications requiring complex queries and real-time data, as it minimizes over-fetching and under-fetching of data.”

3. What is your experience with cloud platforms, specifically GCP? Can you describe a project where you utilized GCP services?

GSK values experience with cloud-native solutions, particularly Google Cloud Platform. This question gauges your familiarity with cloud services.

How to Answer

Detail your experience with GCP, mentioning specific services you used and how they contributed to the success of your project.

Example

“I worked on a data analytics project where we utilized Google BigQuery for data warehousing and Google Cloud Functions for serverless computing. This architecture allowed us to process large datasets efficiently and reduced our operational costs significantly.”

4. How do you ensure the quality of your code? What practices do you follow?

Quality assurance is critical in software development. This question assesses your approach to maintaining high coding standards.

How to Answer

Discuss your coding practices, including testing, code reviews, and adherence to best practices.

Example

“I follow TDD (Test-Driven Development) to ensure my code is robust and maintainable. I also conduct regular code reviews with my peers to catch potential issues early and share knowledge. Additionally, I use static code analysis tools to enforce coding standards.”

5. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience in the face of challenges.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response, focusing on the technical aspects of the problem.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced performance issues with our database queries. I analyzed the slow queries and identified that we needed better indexing. After implementing the necessary indexes, we reduced query response times by over 50%, significantly improving the application’s performance.”

Behavioral Questions

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

GSK values effective time management and prioritization skills. This question assesses your ability to handle multiple responsibilities.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I use a combination of the Eisenhower Matrix and project management tools like Jira to prioritize my tasks. I categorize tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring that I focus on high-impact activities first while keeping track of deadlines.”

2. Can you give an example of a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder? How did you handle the situation?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate challenging relationships.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I once worked with a stakeholder who had conflicting priorities. I scheduled a meeting to understand their concerns and expectations better. By actively listening and proposing a compromise that aligned with both our goals, we were able to move forward collaboratively.”

3. Describe a time when you had to learn a new technology quickly. How did you approach it?

GSK seeks candidates who are adaptable and eager to learn. This question assesses your learning strategies.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to learning new technologies, including resources you use and how you apply what you learn.

Example

“When I needed to learn React for a project, I dedicated time to online courses and built a small application to practice. I also engaged with the community through forums and GitHub to gain insights and best practices, which helped me become proficient quickly.”

4. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your openness to feedback and your ability to grow from it.

How to Answer

Share your perspective on feedback and provide an example of how you’ve used it constructively.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. For instance, after receiving constructive criticism on my code quality during a review, I took the initiative to study best practices and sought mentorship. This not only improved my coding skills but also strengthened my collaboration with the team.”

5. What motivates you to work in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly at GSK?

GSK is interested in candidates who align with their mission and values. This question assesses your motivation and fit for the company.

How to Answer

Express your passion for the industry and how GSK’s mission resonates with you.

Example

“I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to healthcare solutions that improve lives. GSK’s commitment to innovation and patient-centric approaches aligns with my values, and I am excited about the prospect of using technology to drive advancements in medicine.”