UnitedHealthcare Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

UnitedHealthcare is a leading health care company focused on helping people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system work better for everyone.

As a Software Engineer at UnitedHealthcare, you will play a vital role in developing and maintaining software applications that improve healthcare delivery and patient experiences. Your key responsibilities will include writing efficient code, debugging existing applications, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to design software solutions that align with the company's goals of innovation and accessibility in healthcare. A strong understanding of programming languages such as Java, Python, or C#, as well as proficiency in database management (SQL), will be essential. In addition to technical skills, candidates should showcase problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work that aligns with UnitedHealthcare's mission.

This guide will provide you with tailored insights and questions to help you prepare effectively for your interview, ensuring you can confidently demonstrate your fit for the role and the company's values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at UnitedHealthcare is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several key stages:

1. Online Assessment

The first step in the interview process is an online assessment that includes a series of programming challenges. Candidates are usually required to solve multiple coding problems, which may cover various topics such as algorithms, data structures, and SQL queries. This assessment serves as an initial screen to evaluate the candidate's technical proficiency and problem-solving abilities.

2. Technical Interview

Following the online assessment, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This interview can be conducted via video conferencing and focuses on a range of technical topics relevant to the role. Candidates may be asked to explain their thought process while solving coding problems, discuss their previous projects, and answer questions related to software development concepts, such as inheritance, triggers, and SQL operations. The technical interview aims to gauge the candidate's depth of knowledge and practical experience in software engineering.

3. Behavioral Interview

After the technical interview, candidates usually have a behavioral interview, often conducted by a recruiter or hiring manager. This round is designed to assess the candidate's interpersonal skills, cultural fit, and alignment with UnitedHealthcare's values. Candidates can expect questions about their work history, successes, challenges faced in previous roles, and how they handle various workplace situations. This interview is typically more conversational and allows candidates to showcase their personality and communication skills.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, candidates may be invited for a final interview, which could involve meeting with multiple team members or stakeholders. This round may include both technical and behavioral questions, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's fit for the team and the organization. The final interview often emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and the candidate's potential contributions to ongoing projects.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during each stage of the process.

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

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Given that the interview process often begins with a technical assessment, it's crucial to brush up on your coding skills and SQL knowledge. Expect to solve programming challenges that may range from medium to hard difficulty. Familiarize yourself with common data structures, algorithms, and SQL queries, including joins, indexes, and performance optimization techniques. Practicing coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank can be beneficial.

Understand the Company’s Focus

UnitedHealthcare places a strong emphasis on healthcare solutions, so having a basic understanding of the healthcare industry, particularly Medicare Advantage, can set you apart. Be prepared to discuss how your technical skills can contribute to improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. This knowledge will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company’s mission and values.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect to encounter behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle real-world situations. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Reflect on your past experiences and be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strengths, successes, and how you overcame challenges.

Engage in Conversational Interviews

Many candidates have noted that interviews at UnitedHealthcare can feel conversational. Approach your interviews with a relaxed demeanor, and be open to engaging in a dialogue rather than just answering questions. This can help build rapport with your interviewers and showcase your interpersonal skills, which are essential in a collaborative work environment.

Show Enthusiasm for the Role

Express your passion for the software engineering role and how it aligns with your career goals. Be prepared to discuss what excites you about working at UnitedHealthcare and how you can contribute to their projects. This enthusiasm can leave a lasting impression on your interviewers.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This not only shows professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position. If you have any specific points from the interview that resonated with you, mention them to personalize your message.

By following these tips, you can approach your interview with confidence and a clear strategy, increasing your chances of success at UnitedHealthcare. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at UnitedHealthcare. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the organization. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge in software development, database management, and your understanding of healthcare systems.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the different types of inheritance in object-oriented programming?

Understanding inheritance is crucial for software development, especially in a company that values scalable and maintainable code.

How to Answer

Discuss the various types of inheritance (single, multiple, hierarchical, etc.) and provide examples of when each type might be used in a project.

Example

“In object-oriented programming, we have several types of inheritance. Single inheritance allows a class to inherit from one superclass, while multiple inheritance allows a class to inherit from multiple superclasses. For instance, in a healthcare application, a class representing a 'Patient' could inherit from a 'Person' class, showcasing single inheritance, while a 'Doctor' class could inherit from both 'Person' and 'Employee' classes, demonstrating multiple inheritance.”

2. What are the differences between method overloading and method overriding?

This question tests your understanding of core programming concepts that are essential for writing effective code.

How to Answer

Explain both concepts clearly, highlighting their purposes and when to use each.

Example

“Method overloading occurs when two or more methods in the same class have the same name but different parameters, allowing for different behaviors based on input. Method overriding, on the other hand, allows a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. For example, a 'calculatePremium' method in a 'Policy' class could be overloaded to handle different types of insurance policies.”

3. How do you prevent method overriding in Java?

This question assesses your knowledge of access modifiers and class design.

How to Answer

Discuss the use of the final keyword and its implications for class design.

Example

“To prevent method overriding in Java, you can declare a method as final. This means that subclasses cannot override this method, ensuring that the original implementation remains intact. For instance, if you have a critical method in a base class that should not be altered, marking it as final ensures its behavior is preserved across all subclasses.”

4. Can you explain the difference between StringBuffer and StringBuilder?

This question evaluates your understanding of Java's string manipulation classes and their performance implications.

How to Answer

Highlight the key differences in terms of thread safety and performance.

Example

“StringBuffer is synchronized, making it thread-safe, while StringBuilder is not, which allows for better performance in single-threaded scenarios. For example, in a healthcare application where multiple threads may access a shared resource, using StringBuffer would be safer, but if performance is critical and thread safety is not a concern, StringBuilder would be the better choice.”

5. What are indexes in SQL, and how do they improve query performance?

This question tests your knowledge of database management, which is crucial for a software engineer working with data.

How to Answer

Explain the concept of indexes and their role in optimizing database queries.

Example

“Indexes in SQL are special lookup tables that the database search engine uses to speed up data retrieval. By creating an index on a column, the database can quickly locate the rows that match a query condition, significantly improving performance. For instance, in a patient database, indexing the 'PatientID' column would allow for faster searches when retrieving patient records.”

Problem-Solving and Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time when you faced a significant challenge in a project. How did you overcome it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on the challenge, your actions, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a major setback when a key component of our application failed during testing. I organized a team meeting to brainstorm solutions, and we decided to refactor the component to improve its reliability. By collaborating closely and implementing a more robust design, we not only resolved the issue but also enhanced the overall performance of the application.”

2. 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 and any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact on the project. I often use a task management tool to keep track of deadlines and progress. For instance, when working on multiple features for a healthcare application, I assess which features are critical for the upcoming release and focus on those first, while also allocating time for less urgent tasks.”

3. What interests you about working in the healthcare industry?

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

How to Answer

Express your passion for healthcare and how it aligns with your skills and values.

Example

“I am passionate about using technology to improve healthcare outcomes. The opportunity to work on software that can enhance patient care and streamline processes is incredibly motivating for me. I believe that my skills in software development can contribute to meaningful advancements in the healthcare industry.”

4. Can you describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate workplace dynamics.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on how you handled the situation constructively.

Example

“In a previous project, I worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I approached the situation by having an open conversation to understand their perspective. By actively listening and finding common ground, we were able to collaborate more effectively and ultimately improve the project outcome.”

5. Why do you want to work for UnitedHealthcare?

This question evaluates your knowledge of the company and your fit within its culture.

How to Answer

Discuss what specifically attracts you to the company and how your values align with its mission.

Example

“I admire UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to improving healthcare access and quality. The company’s focus on innovation and technology resonates with my passion for using software to solve real-world problems. I believe that my skills and experiences align well with the company’s goals, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work.”