Two candidates describe Amazon's Network Engineer interview as a phone screen followed by a multi-interview loop. Leadership Principles stories carry heavy weight, alongside networking fundamentals, iPerf and latency, and data center topics.
$118K
Avg. Base Comp
$180K
Avg. Total Comp
Not reported
Typical Rounds
Not reported
Process Length
Amazon's Network Engineer interview, as two candidates describe it, begins with a phone conversation and then moves into a loop of several interviews with team members and the hiring manager. One of them describes a loop of five conversations. These included the hiring manager, a future teammate, a bar raiser, and two people from adjacent groups. Both candidates say Leadership Principles questions took up a large share of the time, so prepare specific STAR stories about ownership, communication and handling disagreement. Expect to be asked for follow-up detail on each one.
The technical content differed between the two accounts. One candidate, who received an offer, was pushed hard on fundamentals: switching and routing, routing protocols, network loops, troubleshooting, CCNA-level topics, fiber cabling, data center facilities and change management planning. That candidate was also asked how to work with a non-technical stakeholder. The other candidate, who declined an offer, got few pure networking questions. The technical ones centered on iPerf and on the difference between latency and overall network performance. Practice explaining both in plain terms.
The two accounts differ in how technical the loop felt, so prepare for both. Review hands-on data center and network infrastructure experience you can discuss in detail. One candidate also advises asking the recruiter about total compensation early, before you commit to the full loop.
Synthesized from 2 candidate reports by our editorial team.
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Synthesized from candidate reports. Individual experiences may vary.
Candidates report starting with a phone call or phone screen. One says it was with the hiring manager. Come ready with a short summary of your network experience and a few Leadership Principles examples, since behavioral themes appear to start early.
Both candidates describe a loop of multiple interviews. One says it was five: the hiring manager, a future teammate, a bar raiser, and two people from adjacent groups. The other describes team members and the hiring manager across several interviews. Loop length and makeup may vary by team.
Both candidates say Leadership Principles questions were a major part of the loop. One says almost every conversation returned to them. Interviewers may probe for follow-up detail, so prepare several STAR stories with concrete decisions, ownership and measurable results.
Technical content varied by candidate. One was asked about switching and routing, routing protocols, loops, troubleshooting, fiber cabling, data center facilities and change management. Another reports iPerf and latency versus overall network performance. Prepare to explain both fundamentals and measurement concepts clearly.
One candidate was asked how they would handle a non-technical stakeholder, and said clear explanations mattered when interviewers pushed for detail. Reported outcomes diverge: one candidate received an offer and the other declined one. One advises raising total compensation with the recruiter early.
