Amazon SDE II Loop
The SDE II loop pairs coding with at least one system design question, and every interviewer also asks Leadership Principles questions. Amazon looks for scalable, robust, and well-tested code and a design you validate by asking good questions. A minor, coachable gap can lead to an SDE I offer.
The Rounds
Screens
- Online AssessmentTwo coding problems, a set of system design scenarios, and a Work Style Survey tied to the Leadership Principles. You need to pass it before the loop is scheduled.Practice Online Assessment
- Technical Phone ScreenSome candidates have one before the loop: a medium coding problem in a shared editor, with Leadership Principles questions if time allows.Practice Technical Phone Screen
Onsite
- CodingUsually two rounds of medium to hard problems, each with time set aside for Leadership Principles questions. · 55 minPractice Coding
- System DesignAt least one design question. Clarify the requirements, then build toward a practical, reliable, and scalable design. · 55 minPractice System Design
- Low-Level Design or CodingSome teams use this slot for object-oriented design, covering classes, relationships, and extensibility. Others run another coding round. · 55 minPractice Low-Level Design or Coding
- Bar RaiserMostly behavioral, led by an interviewer from outside the hiring team, with deep follow-ups on your stories. · 55 minPractice Bar Raiser
What the SDE II Loop Weighs
- Code that handles edge cases and invalid input, with tests you can walk through by hand.
- A system design that assembles the core components and explains how they scale.
- Two or three Leadership Principles questions in each round, answered in STAR form with metrics.
- Stories that show you owning a feature from design through launch.
Sources
Last checked Nov 2026. Loops vary by team and change over time, so confirm the details with your recruiter.