Senior Software Engineer II (Remote)

As a Senior Software Engineer II at Freenome, your primary responsibilities will include designing, developing, and deploying reliable and scalable backend services that support our mission of early cancer detection. You will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and product managers, contributing to various projects and solving complex problems. Additionally, you'll guide and mentor junior engineers, lead code reviews, and advocate for best engineering practices.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer II position at Freenome, you should have at least a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a related field, along with eight years of experience in software development. Proficiency in Python and experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes are essential. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure will also be beneficial.

In your role as a Senior Software Engineer II at Freenome, you will work with a variety of tools and technologies including Python for backend development, Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration, and cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to work with machine learning data infrastructure and ETL systems to improve our software solutions.

Collaboration is a key aspect of the Senior Software Engineer II role at Freenome. You'll work closely with interdisciplinary teams including engineers, product managers, and scientists to deliver high-quality software. Regular meetings, code reviews, and mentoring sessions will facilitate communication and synergy, helping everyone achieve their best work on our mission to enhance cancer detection.

At Freenome, we prioritize your professional growth as a Senior Software Engineer II. You will have opportunities to mentor junior engineers, guiding them in their development. Additionally, you can lead projects, participate in innovative software practices, and push for high standards that elevate the entire team. Our culture of respect and collaboration supports your career advancement in a meaningful way.

When answering this question, start by highlighting your relevant experience in backend development, specifically mentioning languages such as Python that you're proficient in. Discuss specific projects where you utilized technologies like Docker or Kubernetes and explain how your choices positively impacted the projects. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new technologies.

In your response, mention strategies you employ to monitor system performance, conduct thorough testing, and utilize best practices in architecture design. Share examples of how you’ve implemented error handling or redundancy in your past projects to enhance reliability. Drawing from experience will demonstrate your understanding of these principles.

Present a specific challenge you faced, detailing the context and the problem's complexity. Discuss the steps you took to analyze, design, and implement a solution, including any collaboration with team members. Conclude with the outcome and what you learned, showcasing your problem-solving process and teamwork skills.

Highlight the importance of open communication and transparency in cross-disciplinary collaboration. Describe how you ensure mutual understanding of technical and non-technical concepts, potentially sharing a past experience where you successfully navigated these conversations to spearhead a project or resolve an issue.

Discuss the relevance of agile methodologies in a rapidly changing biotech environment. Share your experience implementing agile practices like iterative development and regular feedback loops. Explain how these methodologies can enhance collaboration and adaptability in your past projects.

When answering, focus on the importance of tailored mentorship strategies based on individual needs and strengths. Discuss techniques you use, such as coding reviews, regular check-ins, and encouragement of independent problem-solving. Sharing examples of successful mentorship experiences will strengthen your point.

Detail your experience with designing or developing ETL processes, mentioning specific tools like Apache Airflow or Flyte if applicable. Discuss challenges faced during implementation, how you overcame them, and the impact of these pipelines on the overall system performance or data availability.

Share specific instances where you utilized cloud platforms like AWS, discussing the services used, such as AWS Lambda or EC2. Discuss how these services improved scalability or reliability in your past projects, tying it back to your understanding of the challenges within a cloud environment.

In your response, mention resources and communities you engage with, such as blogs, conferences, or online courses. Share how you apply new findings or technologies to your work to ensure continuous improvements, emphasizing your commitment to personal and professional growth.

This is your chance to express your passion for the mission of Freenome and its impact on cancer detection. Discuss what resonates with you about Freenome's values and the work being done in the biotech field. Tailor your response to illustrate how your skills and ambitions align with the company’s goals.