Systems Engineer applicants have rated the interview process at Amazon with 3.3 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 51% positive. To compare, the company-average is 57.5% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Systems Engineer roles take an average of 24 days to get hired, when considering 70 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Amazon overall takes an average of 28 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Amazon as a Systems Engineer according to 70 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 28%
Skills test: 17%
One on one interview: 14%
Personality test: 8%
Presentation: 8%
Group panel interview: 7%
Background check: 7%
IQ intelligence test: 5%
Drug test: 4%
Other: 2%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Amazon (Seattle, WA) in Nov 2009
Interview
The interview process started with roundsof phone interviews. First came a general interview from someone in Dublin, Ireland. There were the standard programming/intelligence questions, followed up by language specific questions. Next was a second round of intervoews where OS/Hardware.networking questions were asked. Then there was another phone intervoew where I was asked what if problem solving questions. In all, there were 5 phone interviews, before they flew me in for a day long interview process with about 8 people -- all these interviews, as well as the 5 phone interviews, were an hour long. The interview questions were often on-trivial, but usually fun. I mostly flunked on the kernel virtual memory questions I only knew two of the buits in the virtual memory page table, and I was weak on kernel process data structures.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Suppose you have been asked to setup a new company that was going to do what netflix does. How would you go about setting up the network/databases/software?
- Had an assessment round with 2 DSA medium questions
- Had a debugging round based on the technical skills mentioned in the job description
- Had a DSA round which I was asked to explain my approach clearly
Initial call with recruiter, to talk about interest in role and background. Then technical interview with hiring manager to go over coding comeptancy and then technical depth in area. Finally, some time at the end for questions to the manager
Application & Recruiter Screen
After you apply (or are referred):
A recruiter phone call (20–30 min)
Covers:
Your background and experience
Role fit and location
Basic behavioral questions
Compensation expectations (sometimes)
✅ Tip: Be ready to explain your resume clearly and concisely.
2. Phone / Virtual Screen
This is usually 1–2 interviews:
45–60 minutes each
Mix of:
Behavioral (Leadership Principles)
Role-specific questions (technical, ops, analytics, etc.)
For tech roles, this may include:
Coding or system design
SQL / data questions
Case-style problems
✅ Tip: Use the STAR method and include metrics.
3. Onsite / Virtual Loop Interview
This is the main interview stage (often virtual now):
4–6 back-to-back interviews
Each interviewer focuses on:
1–2 Leadership Principles
Deep dives into your past experiences
Includes a Bar Raiser interviewer
Possible formats:
Behavioral interviews
Technical or case interviews
Written exercise (for some roles)
✅ Tip: Expect follow-up questions and challenges to your answers.
4. Bar Raiser Interview
Conducted by a trained interviewer outside the hiring team
Focuses on:
Long-term potential
Leadership Principles alignment
Hiring bar consistency
They may push harder and probe deeper than others.
5. Hiring Decision (Debrief)
Interviewers meet to discuss feedback
Decision is based on:
Leadership Principles
Role competency
Overall hire bar
You typically hear back within a few days to two we
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Ownership / Deliver Results
Tell me about a time you took ownership of a problem that wasn’t yours.
Tell me about a time you delivered results under a tight deadline.
Describe a time you had to make a decision without all the information.