Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Illumina, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I started with an HR conversation, and that was followed by an online coding test. The coding part felt very scenario-driven: it included three separate scenario questions, and then I moved on to a technical discussion with a team-focused group where they asked about the role and system capabilities. Between rounds, the process felt fairly organized rather than chaotic, and the questions stayed within a technical lane that matched the kind of work they were hiring for.
This process centered heavily on presenting my work. After getting in through earlier steps, I ended up with a one-hour job talk where I walked through my research. The conversation didn’t stay high level; it also probed into the current state of the art in DNA sequence-to-function modeling, including which methods matter, what benchmarks people use, and what open challenges remain.
The interview process generally follows a structured sequence starting with an HR call, followed by technical interviews and team interactions, often culminating in a panel discussion. Candidates appreciated the organized nature of the process, which helped them understand what to expect at each stage.
Candidates faced a mix of technical assessments, including coding tests and system design questions, with a focus on foundational concepts and practical problem-solving. The technical rounds varied in difficulty, often emphasizing the need for candidates to articulate their thought processes clearly.
Behavioral interviews were a significant part of the process, with many candidates discussing their past experiences and how they align with the company's values. The tone during these interviews was generally friendly and supportive, although some candidates noted instances of negativity that affected their confidence.
Some candidates were required to present their previous work or research, which involved deep discussions about their methodologies and challenges faced in their projects. This aspect highlighted the importance of being able to articulate complex ideas clearly and confidently.
Candidates expressed mixed feelings about the feedback and communication throughout the process, with some experiencing delays or a lack of clarity regarding their application status. Timely and specific feedback was noted as a critical area for improvement.
Overall, candidates reported varying levels of professionalism throughout the interview process, with some experiencing unprofessional behavior from interviewers, while others felt the process was respectful and well-coordinated. The candidate experience often influenced their perception of the company.