Globus Medical Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Globus Medical is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life for patients dealing with musculoskeletal disorders, driven by the needs of patients and healthcare providers alike.

As a Software Engineer at Globus Medical, your role will center around the development and maintenance of software applications and systems for medical devices, particularly in areas such as surgical navigation and robotics. You will be responsible for creating production-quality solutions, developing prototypes, and ensuring the efficient performance and scalability of the software. The position requires a strong foundation in software craftsmanship, particularly in object-oriented programming and algorithms. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform clinical insights into tangible products, adhering to FDA regulations and best practices in software development.

Key responsibilities include contributing to software design and documentation, leading projects with minimal supervision, and engaging in test-driven development to ensure high-quality outputs. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of industry experience, a bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant field, and proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a passion for innovation are essential traits for success in this role.

This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to prepare for your interview, allowing you to demonstrate both your technical proficiency and alignment with Globus Medical's core values of innovation, customer focus, teamwork, and being driven.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Globus Medical is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's mission and values. The process typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Phone Screening

The first step is a phone screening with a recruiter, lasting about 30 minutes. This conversation focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Globus Medical. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, while gauging your fit for the team.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates participate in a technical interview conducted via video conferencing (e.g., Microsoft Teams). This session usually involves discussions with a senior engineer or a software architect. Expect to tackle questions related to software development principles, algorithms, and data structures, as well as your experience with programming languages such as C++ and Python. You may also be asked to solve coding problems in real-time, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and coding proficiency.

3. Behavioral Interview

After the technical assessment, candidates typically undergo a behavioral interview. This round often involves meeting with the Director of Product Development or other senior team members. Here, the focus shifts to your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, your role in those projects, and how you align with Globus Medical's values of innovation, customer focus, teamwork, and being driven.

4. Onsite Interview

The final stage is an onsite interview, which may also be conducted virtually. This comprehensive session includes multiple rounds with various team members, including engineers and product managers. You will likely engage in whiteboard coding exercises, system design discussions, and further behavioral questions. This stage is crucial for assessing your technical skills in a collaborative environment and your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

5. Final Review

After the onsite interviews, the hiring team will convene to discuss your performance across all stages. They will evaluate your technical skills, cultural fit, and potential contributions to the team. If successful, you will receive an offer, which may include discussions about salary, benefits, and other employment terms.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the specific skills and experiences that will resonate with the team at Globus Medical. Next, let's delve into the types of questions you might encounter during this process.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Globus Medical emphasizes a culture of urgency and innovation, driven by a commitment to improving patient care. Familiarize yourself with their core values: Passionate About Innovation, Customer Focused, Teamwork, and Driven. Reflect on how your personal values align with these principles and be prepared to discuss specific examples that demonstrate your commitment to these values.

Prepare for Technical Discussions

Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to discuss your experience with software development, particularly in C/C++ and object-oriented programming. Brush up on algorithms and data structures, as these are likely to be focal points during technical interviews. Be prepared to showcase your problem-solving skills through coding exercises or whiteboard challenges, as these are common in the interview process.

Highlight Relevant Experience

During your interviews, emphasize your experience in developing software for medical devices or similar regulated industries. Discuss specific projects where you contributed to the design, development, and testing of software solutions. If you have experience with FDA regulations or ISO standards, make sure to mention this, as it will demonstrate your understanding of the compliance landscape in which Globus Medical operates.

Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role, especially when collaborating with cross-functional teams. Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully communicated project updates, challenges, and solutions in previous roles.

Embrace Agile Methodologies

Globus Medical values agility in their development processes. Familiarize yourself with Agile methodologies and be ready to discuss your experience working in Agile teams. Highlight your ability to adapt to changing requirements and your experience with tools like Git, Jira, and Confluence, which are commonly used in Agile environments.

Show Passion for Software Development

Demonstrate your enthusiasm for software craftsmanship and test-driven development. Share examples of how you have pursued continuous learning in your field, whether through attending workshops, contributing to open-source projects, or engaging with professional communities. This will help convey your commitment to excellence in software engineering.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Be ready to discuss how you have collaborated with others to overcome challenges, prioritize tasks, and deliver high-quality software solutions.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, project goals, and the company’s vision for the future. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Inquire about the challenges the team is currently facing and how you can contribute to overcoming them.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Senior Software Engineer role at Globus Medical. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Globus Medical. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience in software development, particularly in a medical device context. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, coding practices, and how you approach software design and development.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the software development lifecycle and your experience with it?

Understanding the software development lifecycle is crucial for a Software Engineer, especially in a regulated industry like medical devices.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with each phase of the lifecycle, emphasizing your experience in planning, development, testing, and deployment. Mention any specific methodologies you have used, such as Agile or Waterfall.

Example

“I have extensive experience with the software development lifecycle, particularly in Agile environments. I have participated in sprint planning, development, and retrospectives, ensuring that each phase is executed efficiently. For instance, in my last project, I led the testing phase, which involved rigorous validation to meet FDA compliance.”

2. Describe a challenging software problem you encountered and how you solved it.

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

How to Answer

Provide a specific example that highlights your analytical skills and technical expertise. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced performance issues with a data processing module. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified bottlenecks in the algorithm. By optimizing the data structures and implementing parallel processing, I improved the performance by 40%, which significantly enhanced the user experience.”

3. What programming languages are you proficient in, and how have you applied them in your projects?

This question gauges your technical proficiency and experience with relevant programming languages.

How to Answer

List the languages you are proficient in, particularly C++ and Python, and provide examples of how you have used them in your work.

Example

“I am proficient in C++ and Python. In my last role, I used C++ for developing real-time software for a medical device, ensuring low latency and high reliability. I also utilized Python for scripting and automating testing processes, which streamlined our workflow.”

4. How do you ensure the quality and reliability of your code?

Quality assurance is critical in software development, especially in the medical field.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for writing clean, maintainable code, and your experience with testing methodologies, such as unit testing and code reviews.

Example

“I prioritize writing clean and maintainable code by following best practices and design patterns. I also implement unit tests for all new features and conduct code reviews with my peers to catch potential issues early. This approach has helped maintain high code quality and reliability in my projects.”

5. Can you explain your experience with version control systems, particularly Git?

Version control is essential for collaborative software development.

How to Answer

Describe your experience with Git, including branching strategies, pull requests, and collaboration with team members.

Example

“I have been using Git for version control throughout my career. I typically follow a feature-branch workflow, where I create branches for new features and submit pull requests for review. This process has facilitated effective collaboration and ensured that our codebase remains stable.”

Algorithms and Data Structures

1. Can you discuss a specific algorithm you implemented and its complexity?

This question tests your understanding of algorithms and their efficiency.

How to Answer

Choose an algorithm you have implemented, explain its purpose, and discuss its time and space complexity.

Example

“I implemented a Dijkstra’s algorithm for a navigation system in a medical device. The algorithm efficiently finds the shortest path in a graph, and its time complexity is O(V^2) using an adjacency matrix. I optimized it further by using a priority queue, reducing the complexity to O(E log V).”

2. How do you approach debugging a complex software issue?

Debugging is a critical skill for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Outline your systematic approach to debugging, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“When debugging complex issues, I start by reproducing the problem and gathering relevant logs. I then use debugging tools to step through the code and identify the root cause. For instance, in a recent project, I used GDB to trace a segmentation fault, which led me to a memory management issue that I resolved by implementing proper resource handling.”

3. What is your experience with data structures, and how have you applied them in your projects?

Understanding data structures is fundamental for efficient software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the data structures you are familiar with and provide examples of how you have used them in your work.

Example

“I have experience with various data structures, including arrays, linked lists, trees, and hash tables. In a recent project, I used a binary search tree to implement a feature that required efficient searching and sorting of patient data, which improved the performance of our application.”

4. Can you explain the concept of dependency injection and its benefits?

Dependency injection is a key design pattern in software engineering.

How to Answer

Define dependency injection and discuss its advantages in software design.

Example

“Dependency injection is a design pattern that allows a class to receive its dependencies from an external source rather than creating them internally. This promotes loose coupling and enhances testability. In my last project, I used dependency injection to manage service classes, making it easier to swap implementations during testing.”

5. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in software development?

Continuous learning is vital in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

How to Answer

Share your strategies for keeping your skills current, such as attending workshops, reading publications, or participating in online communities.

Example

“I stay updated by attending industry conferences and workshops, as well as following relevant blogs and publications. I also participate in online forums and contribute to open-source projects, which helps me learn from others and apply new technologies in practical scenarios.”