What is a Software Engineer at Ormco?

At Ormco, a Software Engineer is not simply a coder; you are the digital architect of our physical products. We are a global leader in orthodontics, and our software teams build the "geometrical compiler"—the complex, compute-heavy brain of our production system. In this role, you sit at the intersection of advanced software engineering, computational geometry, and automated manufacturing. You are responsible for the critical backend services that process massive 3D data sets and generate high-fidelity instruction sets for robotics and hardware systems.

This position is critical because our manufacturing process relies on precision. You will design and operate distributed systems that take a digital treatment plan and translate it into a physical reality—custom brackets and wires that help create over 20 million smiles worldwide. You will work in a hybrid environment, collaborating closely with R&D, Operations, and Hardware/Controls engineering teams to solve deep technical challenges in data-intensive pipelines. If you are passionate about seeing your code drive real-world machinery and tangible products, this is the environment for you.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Your preparation should focus on demonstrating that you are a versatile engineer capable of handling complex backend challenges while understanding the physical constraints of manufacturing. We look for engineers who can bridge the gap between abstract algorithms and concrete hardware execution.

Technical Versatility & Depth – You will be evaluated on your proficiency in our core languages (C++, Go, or Python) and your ability to adapt. We look for deep knowledge of computer science fundamentals—data structures, algorithms, and concurrency—applied to distributed systems.

Domain Aptitude (Geometry & Data) – Because our systems process 3D data, candidates who are comfortable with numerical, scientific, or geometric computing stand out. You should be ready to discuss how you handle large file I/O, data transformation, and complex dependency graphs.

Operational Excellence – We value "end-to-end ownership." This means you must demonstrate expertise in not just writing code, but deploying and maintaining it. Expect to be assessed on your knowledge of containerization (Kubernetes), observability (logging/metrics), and cloud-native infrastructure.

Cross-Functional Collaboration – You will work with mechanical engineers, process engineers, and R&D scientists. We evaluate your ability to communicate complex software concepts to non-software stakeholders and your willingness to understand the "why" behind the manufacturing process.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Ormco is designed to be rigorous yet practical, reflecting the complexity of our manufacturing environment. It typically begins with a recruiter screening to align on your background and interest in the medical device/manufacturing space. This is followed by a technical screen with a hiring manager or senior engineer, which focuses on your past experience with backend systems and your approach to problem-solving.

Successful candidates move to the onsite (or virtual onsite) stage, which is a comprehensive panel assessment. You can expect a mix of deep-dive technical rounds—covering coding, system design, and potentially computational geometry—and behavioral rounds focused on how you work in teams and handle the pressure of a production environment. We place a strong emphasis on the Envista Business System (EBS), our internal methodology for continuous improvement, so expect questions about how you identify root causes and drive efficiency.

The timeline above illustrates the typical flow from application to offer. Use this to pace your preparation; ensure you have refreshed your core algorithmic knowledge before the technical screens and have prepared your "stories" regarding project ownership and cross-functional conflict resolution for the final rounds.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must demonstrate strength across several key engineering domains. We are looking for T-shaped engineers who have broad knowledge of software engineering but deep expertise in backend systems and data processing.

Backend System Design & Distributed Computing

This is the core of the evaluation. You must show how you design scalable, high-availability services. We are interested in how you architect systems that can handle heavy compute loads without blocking.

Be ready to go over:

• API Design: Building robust APIs (REST/gRPC) that interface between different parts of the manufacturing pipeline.
• Concurrency: Managing multi-threaded processes, especially when handling large data transfers or asynchronous processing.
• Data Pipelines: Designing event-driven architectures that connect disparate data streams.
• Advanced concepts: RPC frameworks, interface definition languages, and managing complex dependency graphs in multi-language build systems.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Design a system that ingests large 3D model files, processes them for validation, and queues them for manufacturing, handling potential failures at each step."
• "How would you handle a situation where a downstream hardware controller is processing data slower than your service is ingesting it?"

Computational Geometry & Data Processing

Unlike standard web development roles, our work involves the "geometrical compiler." While you may not need to be a mathematician, you must be comfortable with the concepts of processing spatial data.

Be ready to go over:

• 3D Data Handling: Experience with large-scale file I/O and mesh processing.
• Algorithmic Efficiency: Optimizing code that performs heavy mathematical transformations.
• Scientific Libraries: Familiarity with libraries used for numerical or geometric analysis.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you had to optimize an algorithm that was computationally expensive. What trade-offs did you make?"
• "How do you validate the integrity of a complex data packet before sending it to a physical machine?"

Infrastructure & DevOps

We expect Senior Software Engineers to own their infrastructure. You should be comfortable discussing how your code gets from your laptop to a production environment.

Be ready to go over:

• Containerization: Docker and Kubernetes usage for deploying microservices.
• Observability: Implementing structured logging and fine-grained metrics to debug system-wide issues.
• CI/CD: Managing build systems and automated deployment pipelines.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you debug a distributed system where a request fails intermittently between two services?"
• "Walk us through your strategy for deploying a critical update to a manufacturing control system with zero downtime."

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Software Engineer, your primary responsibility is to design, build, and maintain the backend services that drive our manufacturing pipeline. You are building the software that tells our robots and hardware exactly what to do. This involves developing robust, event-driven pipelines that manage large-scale 3D file I/O and generate high-precision data packages. You aren't just moving JSON blobs; you are managing the flow of geometric data that defines a patient's treatment.

Beyond coding, you will own the full lifecycle of your services. This includes containerizing components, managing deployments in a cloud-native environment (Kubernetes), and instrumenting services for high observability. You will constantly debug complex, system-wide issues that span software and hardware. Collaboration is key; you will work daily with R&D experts in computational geometry and Operations teams to ensure that the "master document" your software creates is perfectly interpreted by the production floor. You will also participate in code reviews and contribute to the long-term technical architecture of the Global Manufacturing Engineering team.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

We are looking for seasoned professionals who can hit the ground running in a complex technical environment.

Must-have skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of professional experience focusing on backend systems, distributed computing, or data-intensive pipelines.
• Strong proficiency in C++, Go, or Python. You must be willing to learn and adapt if your primary strength is in one of the others.
• Distributed Systems expertise, including designing and operating high-availability services.
• Computer Science fundamentals, specifically in data structures, algorithms, and networking.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with Kubernetes and cloud-native orchestration.
• Background in computational geometry, numerical computing, or 3D data analysis.
• Experience in manufacturing, robotics, or embedded control systems.
• Familiarity with RPC frameworks and multi-language build systems.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you might face. They are designed to test your ability to think critically about systems that interface with the physical world. Do not memorize answers; instead, use these to practice structuring your thoughts.

Technical & System Design

• How would you architect a backend service that needs to process terabytes of 3D scan data daily?
• Explain the difference between TCP and UDP and why you might choose one over the other for a real-time machine control interface.
• Write a function in Python or C++ to detect if two geometric shapes overlap (simplified 2D or 3D).
• How do you manage dependency graphs in a large C++ project?
• Design a logging system for a distributed application that allows for tracing a request across multiple microservices.

Behavioral & Problem Solving

• Tell me about a time you had to debug a complex issue where the root cause wasn't in your code (e.g., hardware or network).
• Describe a situation where you disagreed with a product or engineering decision. How did you resolve it?
• How do you balance technical debt with the need to deliver features for a new product launch?
• Give an example of a process improvement you initiated that saved time or resources.
• How do you explain technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders, such as process engineers or operations managers?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a remote role? The position is hybrid. You will generally be required to be on-site at our Pomona, CA facility four days a week, with one day of remote work. This is essential because the role involves close collaboration with manufacturing hardware and physical processes.

Q: Do I need prior experience in medical devices? While experience in medical devices or FDA-regulated industries is a plus, it is not strictly required for the software engineering role. However, you must have a "quality-first" mindset and be comfortable working in a regulated environment where precision and documentation are critical.

Q: What is the tech stack mix? We use a combination of C++, Go, and Python. You do not need to be an expert in all three, but you must be proficient in at least one and willing to work in a multi-language environment. The ability to manage complex dependencies across these languages is a key part of the job.

Q: How does the "geometrical compiler" impact the job? This term refers to our core pipeline. It means you will deal with more math and spatial data than a typical backend web engineer. You should be comfortable with or interested in learning about how software manipulates 3D space.

Other General Tips

Understand the "Gemba" In our manufacturing culture (influenced by Danaher/Envista), we value "going to Gemba"—the place where value is created. Show enthusiasm for seeing the factory floor and understanding how your code physically impacts production. A candidate who only cares about the code and not the product will struggle here.

Highlight Versatility This role requires wearing multiple hats: DevOps engineer, backend architect, and algorithm designer. During interviews, highlight stories where you stepped outside your defined role to solve a problem, especially if it involved infrastructure or cross-team integration.

Demonstrate Structured Problem Solving We utilize the Envista Business System (EBS), which relies heavily on data and structured problem-solving (like 5 Whys). When answering behavioral questions, be extremely structured: define the problem, explain the root cause analysis, detail the countermeasure, and quantify the results.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming a Senior Software Engineer at Ormco means taking on a role with high visibility and tangible impact. You will be building the sophisticated engines that power our global manufacturing, directly contributing to the creation of orthodontic products used by millions. This is a role for an engineer who loves difficult technical challenges—specifically in distributed systems, heavy compute pipelines, and hardware integration—and wants to see their work come to life in the physical world.

To succeed, focus your preparation on backend system design, concurrency, and the fundamentals of handling complex data. Be ready to show your versatility in C++, Go, or Python, and demonstrate your ability to own the full software lifecycle from design to deployment. Approach the interview with a mindset of "operational excellence" and a collaborative spirit.

The salary range provided above reflects the target market for this position in Pomona, CA. Actual offers will depend on your specific depth of experience, technical assessment performance, and relevant certifications. We encourage you to review the resources on Dataford for further insights. We look forward to seeing how your engineering expertise can help us innovate.