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Excelitas TechnologiesSoftware Engineer
Updated · Reviewed by the Dataford team

Excelitas Technologies Software Engineer interview questions & guide 2026

Every question Excelitas Technologies interviewers actually ask, the frameworks that win the room, and the language hiring managers respond to.

3 rounds · ≈ 3-5 weeks
1
Initial Screening
2
Round-Robin Interviews
3
Engagement with Leadership

1. What is a Software Engineer at Excelitas Technologies?

As a Software Engineer at Excelitas Technologies, you are at the intersection of cutting-edge photonics, advanced manufacturing, and high-precision systems. This role is not merely about writing code; it is about engineering software solutions that control sophisticated hardware, manage complex manufacturing execution systems (MES), and ensure the accuracy of metrology processes that define our global reputation for excellence.

Your work will directly influence the functionality and reliability of products used in critical sectors, including aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial technology. You will be expected to bridge the gap between theoretical software architecture and real-world physical applications, ensuring that our systems operate with the precision and stability required by our high-stakes environment.

This role is both challenging and rewarding for engineers who enjoy seeing their code manifest in tangible, high-impact technologies. You will work within collaborative, multidisciplinary teams, often interfacing directly with the hardware and systems engineers who design the very products your software powers.

2. Common Interview Questions

Our interview process is designed to evaluate your technical foundation, your ability to solve complex engineering problems, and your potential to integrate seamlessly into our collaborative teams. The following questions represent common themes observed in recent candidate experiences.

Technical Competency and Domain Experience

These questions assess your foundational knowledge of programming languages and your history of applying them to industrial or specialized environments.

  • Describe your experience with specific programming languages relevant to our stack.
  • How have you applied software engineering principles to industrial or manufacturing environments?
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03 · Question bank

The questions most likely to come up

Sorted by relevance to this company
First Unique Character IndexEasy
Return the index of the first non-repeating character in a string using frequency counting in linear time.
Hash TablesArraysStrings
Recently asked
Walk Through Your BackgroundEasy
Tests clarity of your career narrative and how well your experience maps to AURORA's Business Analyst work.
RoadmappingScope Management
Recently asked
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Everything you need to walk in ready.
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3. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation at Excelitas Technologies should focus on your ability to articulate your professional history in the context of high-precision engineering. We value candidates who can demonstrate a balance between deep technical expertise and the ability to work within a team-oriented culture.

Role-related knowledge – We evaluate your proficiency in the core technologies required for your specific sub-team. Be prepared to discuss not just the "how" of your code, but the "why" behind your architectural decisions in previous projects.

Problem-solving ability – You will be expected to demonstrate a structured approach to troubleshooting. When answering situational questions, clearly define the problem, the constraints you faced, and the specific methodology you used to arrive at a resolution.

Communication and Team Dynamics – As a Software Engineer, you will collaborate closely with non-software teams. We look for candidates who can communicate technical trade-offs clearly and work effectively within a panel or round-robin interview setting.

4. Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Excelitas Technologies is structured to be thorough yet direct, reflecting our commitment to operational efficiency. Candidates typically start with an initial screening to gauge baseline technical fit and interest, followed by a series of deeper engagements with the team.

The process often features a "round-robin" style, where you will meet with various members of the engineering team to assess technical competency and team compatibility. In later stages, you can expect to engage with hiring managers and department leadership to discuss your broader career trajectory and how your skills contribute to our long-term strategic goals.

06 · The loop

The interview process, end to end

≈ 3-5 weeks · 3 rounds
1
Initial Screening

Gauge baseline technical fit and interest through a preliminary assessment.

2
Round-Robin Interviews

Meet with various members of the engineering team to assess technical competency and team compatibility.

3
Engagement with Leadership

Discuss broader career trajectory and how skills contribute to long-term strategic goals with hiring managers and department leadership.

This timeline provides a snapshot of the typical progression from initial screening to final site visits. Candidates should use this as a roadmap for managing their preparation energy, ensuring they are ready to dive deep into technical specifics during the early rounds and shift toward high-level strategy and culture during the later, leadership-focused discussions.

5. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Industrial and Systems Integration

This area evaluates your ability to work within the specific constraints of our industry, including reliability, safety, and precision. We look for engineers who understand how software interacts with physical systems.

Be ready to go over:

  • Integration logic – How software interfaces with hardware sensors or controllers.
  • System uptime – Strategies for ensuring high availability in a manufacturing context.
Preparing for a niche company?

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  • Every Software Engineer question, updated weekly
  • Model answers with full code walkthroughs
  • Recent, real interview reports
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08 · Topic breakdown

What they actually test for

Topic distribution
All topics
Software Engineering (General)Technical CompetencyMES (Manufacturing Execution System)Problem SolvingMetrology (General)

6. Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer at Excelitas Technologies, your primary responsibility is the design, development, and maintenance of robust software that powers our proprietary technology. You will be responsible for translating complex requirements into clean, efficient, and well-documented code.

Collaboration is central to your day-to-day work. You will frequently interface with hardware engineers, project managers, and quality assurance teams to ensure that the software aligns with the physical performance standards of our products. Whether you are working on a custom design or optimizing a manufacturing execution system, you will be expected to take ownership of your modules from conception through to deployment and troubleshooting.

7. Role Requirements & Qualifications

A strong candidate for a Software Engineer position at Excelitas Technologies possesses a blend of deep technical skill and a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.

  • Must-have skills – Proficiency in core programming languages relevant to our specific product lines, strong analytical skills, and a demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, team-based environment.
  • Nice-to-have skills – Experience with industrial automation, familiarity with metrology or MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and background in hardware-software integration.
  • Experience level – We value both early-career talent with strong academic foundations and experienced engineers who bring a track record of successful project delivery in high-precision industries.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult are the technical interviews? A: We aim for an "average" difficulty level that focuses on your practical application of knowledge rather than abstract brain-teasers. If you can clearly explain your past projects and the technical choices you made, you will be well-prepared.

Q: What is the typical timeline for the hiring process? A: The timeline varies based on the specific team's needs, but most candidates move from an initial phone screen to an in-person or panel interview within a week or two.

Q: Is there a specific focus on coding challenges? A: Our interviews prioritize your experience and problem-solving approach over rote memorization of algorithms. Focus on being able to walk through your code and explain your design choices.

9. Other General Tips

  • Structure your answers – When asked about past problems, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your narrative focused and professional.
  • Know your own resume – Be prepared to go into detail on every project listed on your resume; interviewers will ask for the "why" behind your technical decisions.
  • Prepare for the panel – In our round-robin interviews, you will meet several people; remain consistent in your messaging and show enthusiasm for the collaborative nature of our work.
  • Ask meaningful questions – Use your time with leadership to ask about the company’s future direction or how the engineering team is evolving.

10. Summary & Next Steps

The Software Engineer role at Excelitas Technologies offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-precision engineering that powers industries across the globe. By focusing your preparation on your practical technical experience, your problem-solving process, and your ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, you will be well-positioned to succeed in our interview process.

Candidates can explore additional interview insights, practice questions, and preparation resources on Dataford. We encourage you to review your own technical projects through the lens of our core business and approach your interviews with confidence.

14 · Compensation

What this role pays

6 reports
USUSD
Estimated total compLow confidence · 6 data points
$0k-$0k
Median $140k / year
Base salary · 100%Stock (RSU) · 0%Cash bonus · 0%
25thEntry / smaller markets
$126k
50thTypical offer
$140k
90thTop performers / major metros
$154k
Breakdown by component
Base salary
100% of total
$127k$153k
$140k
median
Stock (RSU)
0% of total
$0$0
$0
median
Cash bonus
0% of total
$0$0
$0
median
Aggregated from 6 self-reported salaries via Glassdoor. Estimates only. Verify against your offer.

This module provides an overview of current compensation benchmarks for engineering roles within our organization. Candidates should interpret these figures as general market ranges based on seniority and location, keeping in mind that total compensation often includes performance-based components and other benefits specific to the role.

16 · FAQ

Excelitas Technologies Software Engineer interview FAQ

Answered from real candidate and compensation data
How many rounds is the Excelitas Technologies Software Engineer interview process?
Candidates report 3 stages: Initial Screening, Round-Robin Interviews, and Engagement with Leadership. The interview process section above breaks down what each stage covers.
How much does a Software Engineer at Excelitas Technologies make?
Reported compensation for Software Engineer roles at Excelitas Technologies ranges from roughly $127k base to $154k total per year, varying by level, team, and location.
What topics come up in the Excelitas Technologies Software Engineer interview?
Excelitas Technologies Software Engineer interviews most often cover Software Engineering (General), Technical Competency, MES (Manufacturing Execution System), Problem Solving, and Metrology (General), based on topics extracted from real candidate reports.
What questions does Excelitas Technologies ask Software Engineer candidates?
Recent candidates report questions like "First Unique Character Index" and "Walk Through Your Background". The question bank above tracks 20 questions for this role, ranked by how often they come up in Excelitas Technologies interviews.