Software Engineer, Full Stack (Notebook Canvas)

As a Full Stack Software Engineer at Benchling, your primary responsibilities will include building large-scale projects from inception to rollout, collaborating closely with product managers and designers to create intuitive interfaces, and engineering scalable backend models and APIs. You'll also participate in technical discussions and contribute to both new product development and enhancing existing features to meet user needs.

To qualify for the Full Stack Software Engineer role at Benchling, you should have at least 5 years of experience in software engineering, with a strong background in both user-facing and backend development for web applications. Proficiency in React or similar JavaScript frameworks is important, as well as a passion for the life sciences and a product-first approach to coding.

Benchling offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement where Full Stack Software Engineers are expected to be in the office three days a week, specifically on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This model encourages collaboration while also allowing for independent work and flexibility that suits individual preferences.

As a Full Stack Software Engineer at Benchling, you’ll be working on innovative products that enhance the efficiency of scientific research. This includes developing both new applications and enhancing existing systems to ensure they meet the evolving needs of researchers, enabling them to expedite their workflows and accelerate innovations in biotechnology.

Benchling is deeply committed to the professional growth of its Full Stack Software Engineers. Employees are provided with stipends for learning and development, opportunities for mentorship, and the chance to engage in meaningful projects that have a global impact. Additionally, employees can benefit from a supportive workplace culture that encourages continuous learning and skill advancement.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you worked on both frontend and backend components, focusing on the technologies used and the challenges faced. Make sure to emphasize how your contributions affected the overall success of the projects.

You can talk about incorporating best practices like code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration. Mention specific strategies that you use to keep quality high while meeting deadlines, and how you've successfully implemented these in past projects.

Discuss the resources you utilize, such as blogs, online courses, webinars, or community forums. Mention any industry conferences you attend, how you engage with peers, and how you apply new knowledge to your development practices.

Go into detail about your collaboration with product managers and designers, and how you gather user feedback. Discuss methodologies you employ to keep the user at the center of your development process, ultimately resulting in a more effective product.

Choose a specific story that reflects your problem-solving abilities. Talk about the challenges you faced, the specific strategies you employed to overcome them, and what the outcome was. Highlight the lessons learned and how you applied them to future projects.

List the tools and technologies you've worked with, including any relevant frameworks or libraries. Explain why you're comfortable with those tools and provide examples of how you've successfully used them in different projects.

Stress the importance of communication and collaboration. Explain your approach to facilitating discussions, considering all perspectives, and working towards a consensus that leverages the team's collective expertise.

Discuss how collaborating with various stakeholders enhances the development process. Highlight specific examples where team collaboration led to successful outcomes and innovations, and how you foster a supportive team environment.

Provide insights into how agile practices have benefited your work, emphasizing your experience working in agile environments. Explain specific practices you’ve implemented that optimize team productivity and adaptability.

Share your strategies for prioritization, such as using project management tools or setting personal deadlines. Discuss how you adapt to shifting priorities while ensuring high standards are maintained across all projects.