PathAI Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

PathAI is dedicated to harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize pathology and significantly enhance patient outcomes through improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.

As a Software Engineer at PathAI, you will be integral to developing and refining the company’s software platform, utilizing your expertise in Python, Django, and related technologies. Your key responsibilities will include solving complex problems through coding, building and refactoring features for users, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive the architecture of the application platform. You will also uphold high engineering standards, ensuring software is well-reviewed and integrated while mentoring peers and contributing to the development of software aimed at being a medical device. This role requires a solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design, along with a passion for continuous learning and improving the software development process.

PathAI values intellectual curiosity and teamwork, seeking individuals who are enthusiastic about their work and willing to contribute to various aspects of the software development lifecycle. This guide will prepare you for the interview process by highlighting critical skills and common questions you may encounter, ultimately helping you demonstrate your fit for the culture and mission at PathAI.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at PathAI is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically unfolds over several stages, allowing candidates to showcase their abilities and learn more about the company.

1. Initial Recruiter Screen

The process begins with a phone call from a recruiter, lasting about 30 minutes. This initial screen focuses on basic qualifications, your interest in the role, and an assessment of cultural fit. The recruiter will likely ask about your background, experience, and motivations for wanting to join PathAI.

2. Online Assessment

Following the recruiter screen, candidates are usually required to complete an online assessment, often hosted on HackerRank. This assessment typically consists of multiple coding questions that test your problem-solving skills and understanding of algorithms and data structures. The duration of this assessment can vary, but candidates should expect to spend around 60 to 180 minutes on it, depending on the complexity of the questions.

3. Technical Interviews

Successful candidates from the online assessment will move on to a series of technical interviews. These interviews usually consist of two to three rounds, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. During these sessions, candidates will engage with engineers and product leaders, tackling coding challenges in real-time, discussing system design, and demonstrating their proficiency in Python and relevant frameworks like Django or FastAPI. Expect to solve problems collaboratively, as pair programming may be a component of this stage.

4. Behavioral Interview

In addition to technical assessments, candidates will also participate in a behavioral interview. This session focuses on understanding your work style, collaboration skills, and how you handle challenges. Interviewers will be interested in your past experiences and how they align with PathAI's mission and values.

5. Final Onsite Interview

The final stage typically involves a virtual onsite interview, which can last several hours. This comprehensive round includes multiple one-on-one or panel interviews with various team members, including engineers and leadership. Candidates may be asked to present a project or solution they have worked on, followed by in-depth discussions on technical topics, engineering standards, and team dynamics.

Throughout the interview process, candidates should be prepared to discuss their experiences, demonstrate their technical skills, and articulate their passion for improving patient outcomes through technology.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at PathAI. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge in software development, algorithms, and system design, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Technical Skills

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

Understanding data structures is fundamental for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their operations, and use cases. Highlight the differences in how they handle data.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. In contrast, a queue is a First In First Out (FIFO) structure, where the first element added is the first to be removed. Stacks are often used in function call management, while queues are used in scheduling tasks.”

2. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the problem, and what did you do?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to improve existing systems.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the initial issue, your approach to optimization, and the results.

Example

“I was working on a data processing script that took too long to execute. I identified that the bottleneck was a nested loop iterating over large datasets. I refactored the code to use a more efficient algorithm, reducing the execution time by 70%.”

3. How do you handle version control in your projects?

Version control is crucial for collaborative software development.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with version control systems, your workflow, and how you manage branches and merges.

Example

“I primarily use Git for version control. I follow a branching strategy where I create feature branches for new developments and regularly merge them into the main branch after thorough testing. This helps maintain a clean project history and facilitates collaboration.”

4. What is your experience with cloud platforms, specifically AWS?

Given the company's focus on cloud technologies, this question is essential.

How to Answer

Share your experience with AWS services, including any specific projects where you utilized them.

Example

“I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly with S3 for storage and EC2 for hosting applications. In my last project, I set up a scalable architecture using AWS Lambda and API Gateway, which significantly improved our application's performance and reduced costs.”

5. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs?

Understanding APIs is vital for modern software development.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and discuss their principles, including statelessness and resource-based architecture.

Example

“RESTful APIs are designed around the concept of resources, which are identified by URIs. They use standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to perform operations on these resources. A key principle is statelessness, meaning each request from a client must contain all the information needed to process it.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work at PathAI?

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

How to Answer

Express your interest in the company’s mission and how your values align with theirs.

Example

“I am passionate about using technology to improve healthcare outcomes. PathAI’s mission to enhance diagnostic accuracy through AI resonates with me, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to such impactful work.”

2. Describe a challenging project you worked on. What was your role, and what did you learn?

This question assesses your ability to handle challenges and learn from experiences.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on your contributions and the lessons learned.

Example

“I worked on a project that involved integrating multiple data sources into a single platform. My role was to design the data architecture. The challenge was ensuring data consistency across sources. I learned the importance of thorough testing and documentation, which ultimately led to a successful launch.”

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I use a combination of task management tools and the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize my tasks. I focus on urgent and important tasks first, while also setting aside time for long-term projects to ensure steady progress.”

4. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question assesses your ability to accept and learn from feedback.

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 review practices, I took the initiative to improve my documentation and communication, which enhanced collaboration with my team.”

5. Can you give an example of how you worked effectively in a team?

Collaboration is key in software development, and this question assesses your teamwork skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a successful team project, highlighting your role and contributions.

Example

“In a recent project, I collaborated with designers and product managers to develop a new feature. I facilitated regular check-ins to ensure alignment and shared progress updates. This open communication led to a successful launch and positive user feedback.”