1. What is a Software Engineer at Alcami?

At Alcami, the role of a Software Engineer goes beyond writing code; it is about building the digital infrastructure that ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant production of transformative medicines. Whether you are focused on SAP ABAP development, .NET applications, or Data Analytics, your work directly supports the lifecycle of drug product manufacturing—from discovery to commercialization. You are not just solving abstract technical problems; you are solving critical challenges in a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

This position sits at the intersection of technology and manufacturing. You will likely be part of a team responsible for designing custom solutions, integrating on-premise systems with cloud platforms (like SAP BTP), or building advanced analytics dashboards that drive operational decisions. Unlike software roles in pure tech companies, your success here is measured by reliability, data integrity, and your ability to streamline complex workflows for scientists, engineers, and quality assurance teams. You will work on systems that track sterile manufacturing processes, manage supply chains, and ensure every step meets rigorous FDA and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for Alcami requires a shift in mindset. You must demonstrate technical excellence while proving you understand the gravity of working in a regulated industry. Approach your preparation by focusing on how your technical skills can solve business problems without compromising quality or compliance.

Technical Proficiency & Modernization You will be evaluated on your core stack expertise, whether that is SAP ABAP (ECC/S/4HANA), Python, C#/.NET, or Power BI. However, Alcami is also looking for forward-thinking engineers who can bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern cloud-native capabilities. Be prepared to discuss how you modernize code, implement CI/CD pipelines, and utilize APIs to connect disparate systems.

Regulatory Awareness & Documentation In the pharmaceutical industry, if it isn't documented, it didn't happen. Interviewers will assess your attention to detail and your respect for process. You do not need to be a GMP expert on day one, but you must show an appreciation for rigorous testing, validation, and change control. You must demonstrate that you write clean, maintainable code and comprehensive technical specifications.

Cross-Functional Collaboration Software Engineers at Alcami work 100% on-site to collaborate closely with functional consultants, business analysts, and manufacturing teams. You will be tested on your ability to translate complex business requirements from non-technical stakeholders into robust technical designs. Your ability to communicate clearly with people outside of IT is a critical success factor.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Alcami is thorough and structured to assess both technical capability and cultural alignment. It typically begins with a recruiter screening to discuss your background, the specific site location (e.g., Durham, Charleston, St. Louis), and your interest in the pharmaceutical space. This is followed by a technical screening, often with a hiring manager or senior engineer, which digs into your resume and specific technical experiences relevant to the job description.

The final stage is an onsite interview panel. Because Alcami places a high value on on-site collaboration, this stage allows you to meet the team, see the environment, and engage in deep-dive technical discussions. You should expect a mix of technical questions—ranging from architectural design to code optimization—and behavioral questions focused on how you handle pressure, manage deadlines, and ensure quality. The team wants to see that you are self-motivated and can drive results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This timeline illustrates the progression from initial contact to the final decision. Note that the "Onsite Interview" is a significant portion of the process, reflecting the company's emphasis on in-person collaboration and site-specific operational knowledge. Use the time between the technical screen and the onsite to review the specific technologies mentioned in the job description (e.g., SAP modules or Data modeling tools).

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Your interviews will focus on specific technical competencies required to maintain and improve Alcami's enterprise systems. The following areas are critical for success.

Enterprise Systems Development (SAP/ABAP)

If you are interviewing for an SAP-focused role, this is the core of your evaluation. You must demonstrate deep knowledge of RICEFW objects (Reports, Interfaces, Conversions, Enhancements, Forms, Workflows). Expect questions on both traditional ABAP and modern S/4HANA concepts.

Be ready to go over:

• Core ABAP: Classical/Interactive ALV reports, BAPIs, BADIs, and User Exits.
• S/4HANA specifics: Core Data Services (CDS) Views, AMDP, and OData service creation.
• SAP BTP: Experience with the Business Technology Platform, including the Extension Suite and Integration Suite.
• Forms: Smart Forms and Adobe Forms.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you approach optimizing a slow-running ABAP report that processes large volumes of manufacturing data?"
• "Describe a time you used CDS views to simplify a complex data model in S/4HANA."

Application Development & Analytics (.NET/Python/Data)

For roles focused on reporting and custom applications, the evaluation shifts to your ability to build robust tools that support decision-making. You need to show proficiency in full-stack concepts and data visualization.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Visualization: Advanced Power BI dashboard creation, DAX modeling, and data transformation pipelines.
• Programming: Python or C#/.NET for automation, scripting, and backend integration.
• Integration: Designing and deploying APIs to connect lab equipment or ERP systems to reporting layers.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain how you would design a data pipeline to pull real-time metrics from a manufacturing system into a Power BI dashboard."
• "How do you handle version control and CI/CD for your .NET applications?"

Compliance & Quality Standards

Regardless of the specific tech stack, you will be evaluated on your understanding of working in a regulated environment. This is about mindset as much as knowledge.

Be ready to go over:

• SDLC in Pharma: Understanding requirements gathering, technical design documentation, and validation protocols.
• Change Control: The process of authoring change controls and ensuring code changes do not negatively impact validated systems.
• Data Integrity: Ensuring data accuracy and security across integrations.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a situation where a business requirement conflicted with a technical best practice or a compliance standard. How did you resolve it?"
• "How do you ensure your code is testable and documented for future validation?"

5. Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer at Alcami, your day-to-day work is hands-on and varied. You are responsible for the design, development, and support of custom solutions. For SAP developers, this means working on the full RICEFW spectrum, translating functional requirements into technical specifications, and executing code changes that adhere to strict coding standards. You will frequently collaborate with functional consultants to understand the "why" behind a request—whether it's streamlining a supply chain process or improving financial reporting.

For those in analytics or application development, your responsibilities include building and maintaining data models and dashboards that provide visibility into site operations. You will leverage Python or .NET to automate manual tasks, reducing the burden on lab technicians and engineers. A significant part of your role involves troubleshooting and maintenance; when a critical system issue arises that impacts production or shipping, you are the technical expert expected to resolve it with a sense of urgency. You will also actively participate in peer code reviews and author technical documentation to support system validation and upgrades.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates must meet specific technical and educational baselines to be considered. Alcami values verified experience and the ability to hit the ground running.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience: Generally 3–5+ years of professional development experience in your specific stack (e.g., SAP ABAP or Power BI/.NET).
• On-Site Availability: This is a 100% on-site role. You must be willing to work daily at the specific facility (Durham, Charleston, etc.).
• Regulated Industry Mindset: A strong understanding of (or willingness to strictly adhere to) GMP, FDA regulations, and structured SDLC processes.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Industry Background: Prior experience in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, or manufacturing is a major differentiator.
• Modern Tech Stack: For SAP roles, certification in ABAP or BTP, and experience with S/4HANA. For analytics, knowledge of Microsoft Fabric or advanced SQL.
• Agile Familiarity: Experience working in Agile/Scrum methodologies within a corporate environment.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions reflect the technical rigor and behavioral expectations at Alcami. While exact questions vary by interviewer, these categories represent the core themes you will encounter.

Technical: SAP & ABAP

• What is the difference between a BADI and a User Exit, and when would you choose one over the other?
• Can you explain how you have utilized OData services to support Fiori applications?
• Describe a complex interface you built using IDocs or RFCs. How did you handle error processing?
• How do you approach performance tuning for a report that is timing out?
• Explain the concept of CDS Views and how they differ from traditional database views.

Technical: Data & Applications

• How do you manage data refresh schedules and gateway configurations in a Power BI environment?
• Walk me through a Python script you wrote to automate a manual business process.
• How do you handle authentication and security (e.g., OAuth, SAML) when building APIs?
• Describe your experience with DAX. What was the most complex measure you had to write?
• How do you design a database schema to ensure data integrity for a high-transaction application?

Behavioral & Situational

• Tell me about a time you had to push back on a stakeholder's request because it wasn't technically feasible or compliant.
• Describe a time you made a mistake in your code that made it to production. How did you handle it?
• How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple urgent tickets and a long-term project due?
• Give an example of how you explained a complex technical issue to a non-technical colleague.
• Why do you want to work in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry specifically?

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there any flexibility for remote work? Alcami emphasizes a high-collaboration culture, and the job postings explicitly state these are 100% on-site positions. Being physically present allows for faster troubleshooting with manufacturing teams and better integration with the operational side of the business.

Q: How technical will the interview process be? Expect it to be very technical. You will be speaking with other developers and architects. They will drill down into your specific coding knowledge (e.g., specific ABAP syntax or .NET frameworks) to ensure you can deliver high-quality code independently.

Q: What is the dress code and culture like? The culture is professional, focused, and safety-oriented. Because you are working in or near manufacturing and lab facilities, safety is paramount. The dress code is typically business casual, but you may need to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) if you enter specific lab or production areas.

Q: How quickly does the process move? Alcami operates in a fast-paced environment and looks to fill roles efficiently. However, because of the regulatory nature of the industry, background checks and compliance verifications are thorough. The timeline from first screen to offer can vary but generally moves steadily once an onsite interview is scheduled.

Q: Do I need pharma experience to be hired? While industry experience is listed as a "plus" or "preferred" qualification, strong technical skills in the relevant stack (SAP, .NET, Data) are the primary driver. If you lack pharma experience, emphasize your ability to learn complex domains and your commitment to quality and process rigor.

9. Other General Tips

Safety and Quality First In every answer, prioritize quality over speed. In the software world, "move fast and break things" is common advice. At Alcami, "breaking things" can mean ruining a batch of medicine. Emphasize your testing methodologies, your peer review process, and your caution with production data.

Know the Business Research what "parenteral manufacturing" or "sterile fill-finish" means. Even a basic understanding of Alcami's business model—acting as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO)—will show that you are serious about the company, not just the code.

Highlight Problem-Solving Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Focus heavily on the "Action" part—specifically how you diagnosed a root cause and implemented a fix. Alcami values engineers who can troubleshoot independently.

10. Summary & Next Steps

Joining Alcami as a Software Engineer offers a unique opportunity to apply your technical skills to a mission-driven industry. You will be instrumental in maintaining the digital backbone of a company that helps bring transformative medicines to market. Whether you are developing complex SAP solutions or building predictive analytics models, your work will have a tangible impact on efficiency, compliance, and patient safety.

To succeed, focus your preparation on your core technical strengths while demonstrating a clear understanding of the constraints and requirements of a regulated environment. Be ready to discuss how you build robust, scalable, and documented solutions. Show your interviewers that you are not just a coder, but a reliable partner who can collaborate across teams to solve difficult operational challenges.

The compensation data above provides a baseline for the role. Note that total compensation at Alcami may also include benefits and performance-based incentives. Use this data to inform your expectations, but remember that specific offers depend on your experience level, the specific technology stack (e.g., SAP niche skills often command a premium), and the location of the role.

Explore more interview insights and resources on Dataford to refine your preparation further. Trust in your technical background, prepare your stories of complex problem-solving, and approach the interview with confidence. Good luck!