Verily Life Sciences Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Verily Life Sciences, a subsidiary of Alphabet, leverages a data-driven approach to revolutionize healthcare management and delivery, focusing on the promise of precision health for everyone, every day.

As a Software Engineer at Verily, you will be at the forefront of developing innovative software solutions that bridge the gap between clinical research and patient care. Your key responsibilities will include designing, developing, testing, deploying, maintaining, and improving software systems that are crucial for clinical trials and healthcare applications. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, UX designers, and other engineers, to deliver high-quality software that meets FDA regulations. A strong foundation in algorithms, proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Scala, and Python, and experience with full-stack development are vital for success in this role.

Verily values energetic, motivated, and collaborative individuals who are eager to contribute to meaningful projects that impact people's lives. Your ability to navigate complex technical challenges, engage in thoughtful problem-solving, and adapt to new technologies will position you as a great fit for the dynamic and innovative environment at Verily.

This guide aims to equip you with the insights and strategies needed to excel in your interview, helping you to articulate your experience and demonstrate your alignment with Verily’s mission and values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Verily Life Sciences is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages designed to evaluate your coding abilities, problem-solving skills, and collaborative mindset.

1. HR Screening

The process begins with an initial phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This conversation usually lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experiences, and motivations for applying to Verily. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Screening

Following the HR screening, candidates typically undergo a technical screening, which is often conducted via video call. This session usually lasts around 45 minutes and includes coding challenges that may resemble LeetCode-style problems. You may be asked to solve algorithmic questions and demonstrate your understanding of software development principles. Expect to discuss your approach to problem-solving and possibly answer questions related to your resume.

3. Onsite Technical Interviews

The next phase involves a series of onsite technical interviews, which can consist of four or more rounds, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. These interviews are conducted by various team members, including software engineers and possibly a hiring manager. The focus will be on coding exercises, system design questions, and discussions about your past projects. You may also encounter questions that assess your knowledge of specific programming languages and frameworks relevant to the role, such as Python, Java, or Go.

4. Behavioral and Team Fit Interview

In addition to technical assessments, there is often a behavioral interview aimed at evaluating your soft skills and cultural fit within the team. This interview may include situational questions that explore how you handle challenges, collaborate with others, and contribute to a team environment. The goal is to ensure that you align with Verily's values and collaborative work culture.

5. Final Interview with the Team Manager

The final step in the interview process typically involves a conversation with the team manager. This interview serves to assess your fit within the specific team and to discuss your potential contributions to ongoing projects. It may also cover your career aspirations and how they align with the team's goals.

As you prepare for your interviews, be ready to tackle a variety of technical challenges and demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Next, let's delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during the process.

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

Understand the Interview Process

The interview process at Verily typically includes an HR screening, a technical screening, and multiple technical rounds, often culminating in an interview with the team manager. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Expect coding questions that are similar to LeetCode medium-level problems, as well as questions that assess your understanding of API calls and backend roles. Being aware of the interview format will help you manage your time and energy effectively.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Given the emphasis on coding skills, particularly in languages like Java, Scala, Python, and Go, ensure you are well-versed in algorithms and data structures. Practice coding problems that require you to implement solutions in these languages. Additionally, be prepared to discuss your previous projects and how you approached problem-solving in those contexts. This will not only demonstrate your technical skills but also your ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

Showcase Collaboration Skills

Verily values collaboration and teamwork. Be ready to discuss your experiences working in cross-functional teams, particularly how you’ve collaborated with product managers, UX designers, and other engineers. Highlight specific instances where your communication and teamwork led to successful project outcomes. This will align with Verily's culture of interdependence and collective problem-solving.

Emphasize Your Passion for Healthcare Technology

As Verily operates at the intersection of technology and healthcare, expressing a genuine interest in how technology can improve health outcomes will resonate well with your interviewers. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to this field. This could include personal projects, volunteer work, or professional experiences that align with Verily's mission.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the company culture. Prepare to discuss situations where you faced challenges, how you handled them, and what you learned from those experiences. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your thought process clearly.

Demonstrate a Growth Mindset

Verily is looking for candidates who are eager to learn and adapt. Be prepared to discuss how you approach learning new technologies or programming languages. Share examples of how you’ve successfully navigated unfamiliar challenges in the past, showcasing your ability to grow and evolve as a software engineer.

Familiarize Yourself with Agile Methodologies

Since Verily operates in an Agile environment, understanding Agile principles and practices will be beneficial. Be ready to discuss your experience with Agile methodologies, including how you’ve contributed to sprint planning, retrospectives, and daily stand-ups. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in their fast-paced, iterative work environment.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers

Finally, come prepared with thoughtful questions for your interviewers. Inquire about the team dynamics, the technologies they are currently using, and how they measure success in their projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if Verily is the right fit for you.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview at Verily Life Sciences. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Verily Life Sciences. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative mindset, as the company values teamwork and innovation in developing healthcare solutions.

Coding and Algorithms

1. Can you implement a simple calculator?

This question tests your ability to translate a problem into code and your understanding of basic algorithms.

How to Answer

Explain your thought process before coding. Discuss how you would handle different operations and edge cases.

Example

“I would start by defining the operations the calculator should support, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. I would then create a function that takes two numbers and an operator as input and returns the result. I would also include error handling for division by zero.”

2. How would you implement grep with context as an online algorithm?

This question assesses your understanding of string manipulation and algorithm efficiency.

How to Answer

Outline your approach to searching through text and how you would manage memory and performance.

Example

“I would read the input line by line and use a sliding window approach to check for matches. If a match is found, I would store the context lines before and after the match to return as output. This way, I can efficiently handle large files without loading everything into memory.”

3. Describe how you would handle API calls in an iOS application. What role does the backend play in this?

This question evaluates your understanding of mobile application architecture and backend integration.

How to Answer

Discuss the flow of data between the app and the backend, including error handling and data parsing.

Example

“I would use URLSession to make API calls and handle responses asynchronously. The backend plays a crucial role in providing the necessary data and ensuring that the API is secure and efficient. I would also implement error handling to manage network issues gracefully.”

4. Can you explain the concept of a binary search tree and how you would implement it?

This question tests your knowledge of data structures and algorithms.

How to Answer

Define a binary search tree and explain its properties before diving into the implementation.

Example

“A binary search tree is a data structure where each node has at most two children, and the left child is less than the parent while the right child is greater. I would implement it using a class for the nodes and methods for insertion, deletion, and searching.”

5. What is your approach to debugging a complex issue in a production environment?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and experience with debugging.

How to Answer

Outline a systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, including tools and techniques you would use.

Example

“I would start by reproducing the issue in a controlled environment, then use logging to gather more information about the state of the application. I would analyze the logs to identify patterns and potential causes, and then test hypotheses until the root cause is found.”

System Design

1. How would you design a scalable web application?

This question evaluates your understanding of system architecture and scalability.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of a scalable architecture, including load balancing, database design, and caching strategies.

Example

“I would start by using a microservices architecture to separate concerns and allow for independent scaling. I would implement load balancers to distribute traffic and use a combination of SQL and NoSQL databases to handle different data types. Caching frequently accessed data would also improve performance.”

2. Describe a time when you had to make a trade-off in a project. What was the outcome?

This question assesses your decision-making skills and ability to prioritize.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, explaining the context, the trade-off made, and the results.

Example

“In a previous project, we had to choose between implementing a feature quickly or ensuring it was fully tested. I opted for a quicker implementation with a plan for post-launch testing. While it allowed us to meet the deadline, we did encounter some bugs that required immediate fixes, which taught me the importance of balancing speed and quality.”

3. How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in your projects?

This question evaluates your approach to software development best practices.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for writing clean code, conducting code reviews, and using testing frameworks.

Example

“I follow coding standards and best practices to ensure readability and maintainability. I also conduct regular code reviews with my team to catch potential issues early. Additionally, I write unit tests to validate functionality and use continuous integration tools to automate testing.”

4. What considerations would you take into account when designing a healthcare application?

This question assesses your understanding of the unique challenges in healthcare software development.

How to Answer

Discuss regulatory compliance, data security, and user experience.

Example

“When designing a healthcare application, I would prioritize compliance with regulations like HIPAA to protect patient data. I would also focus on user experience to ensure that the application is intuitive for both patients and healthcare providers. Security measures, such as encryption and secure authentication, would be critical to protect sensitive information.”

5. How would you approach integrating third-party services into your application?

This question evaluates your experience with APIs and external integrations.

How to Answer

Discuss the steps you would take to evaluate, integrate, and maintain third-party services.

Example

“I would start by evaluating the third-party service for reliability and security. After integration, I would monitor its performance and ensure that it meets our application’s needs. I would also have a fallback plan in case the service becomes unavailable, ensuring that our application remains functional.”