Interview Experience: Amazon | Software Development Engineer (SDE-2) | L5
📌 Job Role: SDE 2
🎯 Job Level: L5
🔢 Number of Rounds: 5
📜 Offer Status: Rejected
👤 Candidate Name: Akash MishraInterview Process:
Recruiter Call
A recruiter reached out to discuss my experience, skills, and career aspirations for the SDE-2 role. The conversation was straightforward, focusing on my technical background and the kind of work I was looking for in my next role. There were no technical questions in this round—just an overview of my past experience and expectations for the position.
Online Assessment
Complexity: Hard
I received two LeetCode hard-level problems, both of which I solved correctly within the same day. The problems required handling complex edge cases and optimizing performance. I was confident about my solutions and felt well-prepared for the next stage.
Round 1: DSA + Leadership Principles
Duration: 60 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Problem 1: Rotate a binary tree – Solved optimally with a clear explanation of the logic and time complexity.
Problem 2: How many characters should be removed to make a string a palindrome – Completed efficiently with proper handling of edge cases.
After the coding session, the interviewer asked two questions related to Amazon’s Leadership Principles. I provided structured responses with relevant examples from my past experience. The interviewer seemed satisfied with both my coding and LP answers.
Round 2: Problem Solving + Leadership Principles
Duration: 60 minutes
Complexity: Hard
Given a real-time problem related to the interviewer’s project, I had to design a new multi-node tree data structure tailored to the problem’s requirements.
Two Leadership Principles discussions focused on ownership and bias for action.
The interviewer seemed happy with my problem-solving approach and how I handled the leadership questions.
Round 3: System Design
Duration: 60 minutes
Complexity: Hard
Designed a toll fare system using Kafka pipelines for real-time data processing.
Walked through architectural decisions, trade-offs, and scalability considerations.
After solving the problem in 45 minutes, the interviewer presented a bonus question, indicating a strong performance.
The interviewer explicitly mentioned being impressed with my system design approach.
Round 4: LLD + Leadership Principles
Duration: 60 minutes
Complexity: Hard
One LLD problem requiring Topological Sort – Solved it but exceeded the time limit by two minutes.
Extensive Leadership Principles discussion on handling ambiguity and leading under pressure.
Despite going slightly over time, I felt confident about my responses and problem-solving approach.
Round 5: Extra LLD (BookMyShow)
Duration: 60 minutes
Complexity: Hard
Designed a complete class diagram on an online whiteboard for a BookMyShow-style system.
Covered seat booking, user management, and payment flows using design patterns.
It was an intense and exhausting session, but I managed to complete the task within the given time.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Consistency matters – Performing well across multiple rounds is crucial, but even one weaker round can impact the final decision.
✅ Leadership Principles are critical – Even in technical rounds, Amazon heavily weighs how you align with its LPs.
✅ Handling pressure is part of the evaluation – Bonus questions and extended discussions assess not just problem-solving skills but also the ability to perform under stress.
✅ System Design depth matters – Be ready to discuss scalability, fault tolerance, and trade-offs in detail.
✅ Extra rounds aren’t unusual – Additional rounds may be added if the hiring team needs more clarity on your skills.
Lessons Learned:
💡 DSA + System Design + LP balance – Success at Amazon requires strong performance in all three areas.
💡 Explain your thought process – Clearly articulating why you made certain decisions is as important as solving the problem itself.
💡 Expect the unexpected – Be prepared for bonus questions and additional rounds, even if earlier rounds go well.
Credit : Akash Mishra