Highmark Health Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Highmark Health is a leading health insurance provider committed to improving health outcomes and transforming healthcare services for its customers.

As a Software Engineer at Highmark Health, you will be an essential member of an agile team responsible for building scalable software applications that serve a diverse customer base across all digital channels. Your role will encompass the entire software development lifecycle, from idea generation and business analysis to technical design and implementation using the latest technologies and design patterns. You will collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the products meet organizational needs while adhering to best practices in software engineering. Key responsibilities include designing engineering specifications, writing high-quality code, conducting code reviews, and ensuring the functionality, scalability, and performance of applications.

Successful candidates will possess a strong background in algorithms, data structures, and design patterns, alongside proficiency in modern programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript. Experience with web services technologies, cloud platforms (AWS or Google Cloud), and an understanding of agile methodologies are essential. A passion for user experience and a willingness to mentor junior engineers will also set you apart as a great fit for this role.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview with Highmark Health by providing insights into the expectations for the Software Engineer role and the types of questions you may encounter.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Highmark Health is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and technical requirements. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Application and Initial Screening

After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming the status of your application. If selected, you will be invited to complete a talent assessment, which evaluates your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Following this, a recruiter will reach out to schedule a phone interview.

2. Phone Interview

The phone interview usually lasts about 30 minutes and is conducted by a recruiter or hiring manager. This conversation focuses on your background, experiences, and motivations for applying to Highmark Health. Expect to answer standard behavioral questions and discuss your technical skills, particularly in relation to the job requirements.

3. Technical Assessment

Candidates who successfully pass the phone interview may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could involve coding challenges or problem-solving exercises that test your proficiency in relevant programming languages and technologies. The assessment may be conducted online or during a follow-up interview.

4. Onsite Interview

The onsite interview typically consists of multiple rounds, where you will meet with various team members, including managers and senior engineers. Each round will focus on different aspects, such as technical skills, system design, and behavioral competencies. Expect to engage in discussions about your past projects, coding practices, and how you approach problem-solving in a team environment.

5. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted with higher-level management or a panel. This stage is often more strategic, focusing on your long-term vision, leadership potential, and how you can contribute to the company's goals. You may also be asked to present solutions to hypothetical scenarios or technical challenges.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of agile methodologies, coding standards, and best practices in software development.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each stage, particularly those that assess your technical expertise and collaborative skills.

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

Understand the Agile Methodology

Highmark Health emphasizes agile practices, so familiarize yourself with agile principles and scrum ceremonies. Be prepared to discuss your experience in agile environments, how you’ve contributed to sprint planning, and how you handle blockers. Demonstrating your understanding of agile methodologies will show that you can seamlessly integrate into their teams.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to discuss your proficiency in relevant programming languages and technologies. Highlight your experience with Java, Python, or JavaScript, and be prepared to discuss specific projects where you utilized these languages. Additionally, understanding web services technologies like REST and JSON will be crucial, so be ready to explain how you've implemented these in past projects.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving skills and teamwork. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. For example, you might be asked to describe a time when you faced conflicting deadlines. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to prioritize tasks and collaborate with team members effectively.

Emphasize Your Mentorship Experience

Highmark Health values mentorship and collaboration. If you have experience mentoring junior engineers or leading teams, be sure to highlight this. Discuss how you’ve helped others grow in their roles and how you approach knowledge sharing within a team. This will align with their culture of continuous improvement and support.

Communicate Your Passion for User Experience

Demonstrating a passion for user experience is essential. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve incorporated user feedback into your projects and how you prioritize usability in your designs. This will resonate well with Highmark Health’s focus on delivering high-quality software applications that serve their customers effectively.

Follow Up on Your Application Status

Candidates have reported delays in communication regarding interview outcomes. After your interview, consider sending a polite follow-up email to express your continued interest in the position and inquire about the next steps. This shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.

Be Ready for a Technical Assessment

Some candidates have mentioned completing technical assessments as part of the interview process. Brush up on your coding skills and be prepared to solve problems on the spot. Practice coding challenges that reflect the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as algorithms and data structures.

Stay Informed About the Company

Research Highmark Health’s recent initiatives, especially in technology and healthcare. Understanding their mission and how your role as a Software Engineer fits into their broader goals will help you articulate why you want to work there and how you can contribute.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview with Highmark Health. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Highmark Health. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience working in an agile environment. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, coding standards, and how you approach software development challenges.

Technical Skills

1. What is your experience with modern programming languages, and which do you prefer to use for software development?

This question assesses your familiarity with the programming languages relevant to the role.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with specific languages mentioned in the job description, such as Java, Python, or JavaScript. Highlight any projects where you utilized these languages effectively.

Example

“I have over five years of experience with Java and Python. I prefer Python for its readability and efficiency, especially in data processing tasks. For instance, I developed a web application using Django that streamlined our data analysis process, significantly reducing the time required for reporting.”

2. Can you explain the concept of RESTful services and how you have implemented them in your projects?

Understanding web services is crucial for this role, and this question tests your knowledge of RESTful architecture.

How to Answer

Provide a brief overview of REST principles and discuss a specific project where you implemented RESTful services.

Example

“RESTful services are based on stateless communication and use standard HTTP methods. In my last project, I designed a REST API for a healthcare application that allowed clients to access patient data securely. This API utilized JSON for data interchange and was built using Flask, ensuring scalability and maintainability.”

3. Describe your experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud.

This question evaluates your familiarity with cloud technologies, which are essential for modern software development.

How to Answer

Mention specific services you have used and how they contributed to your projects.

Example

“I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly with EC2 and S3 for hosting applications and storing data. In a recent project, I deployed a microservices architecture on AWS, which improved our application’s scalability and reduced downtime during peak usage.”

4. How do you ensure your code is maintainable and efficient?

This question assesses your coding practices and understanding of software engineering principles.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to writing clean code, including adherence to coding standards, code reviews, and testing.

Example

“I follow SOLID principles to ensure my code is maintainable. I also conduct regular code reviews with my team to catch potential issues early. For instance, in a recent project, I refactored a module to improve its efficiency, which reduced the processing time by 30%.”

5. Can you explain the importance of version control in software development?

This question tests your understanding of version control systems and their role in collaborative development.

How to Answer

Discuss the benefits of version control and your experience with tools like Git.

Example

“Version control is crucial for tracking changes, collaborating with team members, and maintaining code integrity. I use Git for all my projects, which allows me to manage branches effectively and revert to previous versions when necessary. This practice has been invaluable in maintaining project stability.”

Problem-Solving and Behavioral Questions

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

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced performance issues due to inefficient database queries. I analyzed the queries and identified several that could be optimized. By implementing indexing and restructuring some queries, we improved the application’s response time by over 50%.”

2. How do you handle conflicting deadlines in a project?

This question assesses your time management and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritizing tasks and communicating with stakeholders.

Example

“When faced with conflicting deadlines, I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I communicate with my team and stakeholders to set realistic expectations. For example, during a recent project, I negotiated a deadline extension for a less critical feature, allowing us to focus on delivering a high-quality core functionality on time.”

3. Can you give an example of how you have mentored a junior engineer?

This question evaluates your leadership and mentoring abilities.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you provided guidance and support to a junior team member.

Example

“I mentored a junior developer who was struggling with understanding our codebase. I organized regular one-on-one sessions to walk them through the architecture and best practices. Over time, they became more confident and even contributed to a major feature in our application.”

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

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep your skills current, such as online courses, blogs, or conferences.

Example

“I regularly follow industry blogs, participate in online courses, and attend tech meetups. Recently, I completed a course on cloud-native development, which has helped me implement best practices in my current projects.”

5. What do you think is the primary purpose of any business?

This question gauges your understanding of business objectives and how they relate to software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the importance of aligning technology solutions with business goals.

Example

“I believe the primary purpose of any business is to create value for its customers while ensuring sustainability. As a software engineer, my role is to develop solutions that enhance user experience and drive efficiency, ultimately contributing to the company’s success.”