Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I went through a pretty compact loop: three rounds total. The first two rounds were technical, and the third was a managerial discussion. Overall the difficulty felt average, but it was clearly structured.
My process didn’t feel professional from the start. I got an interview invitation at 10 PM for an interview the very next morning, which left me almost no time to prepare. Even after that, the communication stayed slow and sloppy—scheduling took a lot of back-and-forth and I often had to prompt for updates.
The interview process typically consists of a recruiter screen followed by a mix of technical and managerial discussions, often spanning 2-4 weeks. Candidates reported varying experiences with the speed and organization of scheduling, with some noting a lack of communication post-interview.
Technical interviews generally emphasize fundamental programming skills, particularly in Java and related technologies, with questions often centered on practical problem-solving rather than advanced or niche topics. Candidates should prepare for both coding challenges and discussions about their past projects and experiences.
Candidates can expect a significant focus on behavioral and values-based questions, assessing how their experiences align with the company's culture and teamwork dynamics. This includes scenario-based discussions and evaluations of past work experiences.
Many candidates experienced panel interviews where multiple interviewers engaged in discussions about their background and technical abilities. This format often felt collaborative, though some candidates noted it could be more interviewer-led than interactive.
Communication throughout the interview process varied, with some candidates appreciating clear updates while others faced delays and a lack of follow-up after interviews. Candidates should be prepared for potential gaps in communication.
The overall difficulty of the interviews is generally perceived as average, with candidates reporting a mix of stress levels. While some found the process encouraging and well-structured, others felt mismatched in expectations, particularly regarding role alignment.