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Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
What is SDE 2 Role in Amazon?
3.
Amazon SDE 2 Salary
4.
Skills Required for SDE 2
5.
Interview Rounds for Amazon SDE 2 roles
5.1.
Data Structures and Algorithms Round
5.2.
Machine Coding Round
5.3.
System Design Round (High-Level Design or Low-Level Design)
5.3.1.
Low-Level Design (LLD)
5.3.2.
 
5.3.3.
High-Level Design (HLD)
5.4.
Hiring Manager Round
6.
Understanding the Different Layers of SDE
7.
Moving to SDE 3
8.
Frequently Asked Questions
8.1.
What is SDE-2?
8.2.
What is SDE-2 salary in India?
8.3.
What is SDE II in Amazon?
8.4.
What is the highest salary for SDE-2?
9.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
Easy

SDE-2 Role at Amazon

Author Yukti Kumari
4 upvotes

Introduction

So you want to switch to the Amazon SDE 2 role?  Are you passionate about building highly scalable systems as an Amazon SDE 2? You are at the right place :) 

Amazon is one of the best places to work and is well known for its startup culture despite being a well-established tech giant. You get to learn in a highly competitive environment, improve your skill sets while building tech solutions that impact billions of people across the globe, and, most importantly, work alongside brilliant people. These are just a few of the amazing perks you get as an Amazonian. 

SDE-2 Role at Amazon

Like the services for which Amazon is known(which one is your favourite, though?), it also provides a fine working experience to its employees.  

In this article, we will cover everything you would probably need to know about switching to Amazon SDE 2 role, the skills required and how to prepare for it. So, hang tight till the end of this article. 

If you are interested in knowing how to build a strong foundation, check out the blog SDE-1 Role at Amazon

Let’s do it. 😎

What is SDE 2 Role in Amazon?

An SDE 2’s work typically revolves around software features that deliver the work independently but might need some direction. They regularly interact with their peers, managers, and PMs (product or program) managers.  

The key responsibilities of the SDE 2 position in Amazon are:

  • Design, develop and deploy software.
     
  • Provide coding/story estimates.
     
  • Review Code and provide feedback for improvements if needed.
     
  • Assess software quality and the maintainability of the product’s features.
     
  • Decode difficult software problems and provides maintainable and efficient solutions for the same.
     
  • Decide on the trade-offs between technical and design approaches.
     
  • Mentors the SDE 1 engineers.

Amazon SDE 2 Salary

The salary for the SDE 2 role at Amazon for a professional(Years of experience:3) can be broken down into the following components:

  • Base salary - 36LPA INR
     
  • Sign-on bonus first-year - 22LPA INR
     
  • Sign-on bonus second year - 16LPA INR
     
  • Stock Bonus - 25 RSU (5%, 15%, 40% 40%)
     
  • Total Compensation - (Salary + Bonus + Stock): ~61L amortized over 4 years
     
  • Current Compensation (Salary + Bonus + Stock): ~28L
     
  • Other Benefits - 5L Medical insurance, 1100pm meal card, 1250pm broadband, Standard Amazon Benefits

 

Note: (The figures presented above are subject to change by Amazon)

Skills Required for SDE 2

The basic qualifications needed for the Amazon SDE 2 role are as follows:

  • A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related technical discipline.
     
  • 3+ years of Software Development experience.
     
  • Strong knowledge of Data Structures, Algorithms and CS fundamentals.
     
  • Strong coding and problem-solving skills.

Skills Required for SDE 2

Apart from the basic qualifications, there are also some preferred skills which can definitely give you an edge over others. 

Some of them are as follows:

  • Experience working with service-oriented architectures and web-based solutions.
     
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
     
  • Experience working on Agile processes (Scrum, Kanban).
     
  • NoSQL and relational databases.
     
  • Experience working on AWS technologies.
     
  • Experience in eCommerce and Deep hands-on technical expertise

Interview Rounds for Amazon SDE 2 roles

Amazon SDE 2 interviews have the following rounds:

  • Data Structures and Algorithms (PS/DS Round)
     
  • Machine Coding Round
     
  • System Design Round (High-Level Design or Low-Level Design)
     
  • Hiring Manager Round
     
  • Bar Raiser Round

 

Let's see each of the rounds and how to prepare for them in detail in the following sections. You can also check out the Amazon Interview Experience of the selected candidates.

Data Structures and Algorithms Round

The data structures and algorithms round is one of the most important rounds. There can be one or two rounds. Having a strong foundation of DSA concepts can take you places, and the interviews will be a cakewalk for you. 


Worrying about where to practice the Coding Problems that can be asked in the technical rounds of Amazon? Here you go, Ninja.

Check out Amazon Interview Bundle to practice the curated list of programming questions asked in the technical rounds of Amazon.

Go through the below video on 7 Best Ways To Do Well In Data Structures and Algorithms Interviews to learn the nits and grits of successfully acing your DSA rounds.

Machine Coding Round

Machine Coding Round

Nowadays, companies are asking for machine coding, which also has a good weightage. 

Some of the ways to get better at machine coding are:

  • Practice. Practice. Practice. 
    Yes, practising machine coding problems within a time limit with proper understanding, designing and coding will improve your machine coding skills to a great extent.
     
  • Follow good coding practices and relevant design patterns.
     
  • After solving each question, look up the solutions to learn and apply to future problems.

System Design Round (High-Level Design or Low-Level Design)

Amazon conducts either LLD or HLD for SDE 2 roles.

System Design Round

Low-Level Design (LLD)

  • The first thing to get started with LLD is to learn OOPs.
     
  • Learn common design patterns and apply them whenever possible to get a clear understanding.
     
  • Machine coding round preparation will also help you prepare for the LLD round.

 

High-Level Design (HLD)

  • Understand the fundamentals of High-Level Design Concepts.
     
  • Be prepared to explain one or two services after explaining the high-level architecture, the databases, and scaling measures.
     
  • Give mock interviews to overcome mistakes and nervousness during actual interviews.

 

The blog on System Design Concepts For Job Interviews should help you to get an overall idea of how to master system design and crack the interview rounds.

Hiring Manager Round

The hiring manager round is most likely to be taken by your future manager. While it is more of a conversation about projects than on the technical side, some of the ways in which you can crack it smoothly are:

  • Document all your work.
     
  • Prepare the answers beforehand based on your created document. Find some real-life examples and explain them using the STAR principle.
     
  • You may be asked to design a few of your projects, so practice by roughly sketching out some designs to avoid problems during the interview.
     
  • For behavioural questions, check out the blog HR Interview Questions, which will give you an idea of how to answer such questions smoothly and confidently.

 

Note: At Amazon, the interviewers also ask questions about the Amazon Leadership Principles. 

Understanding the Different Layers of SDE

In tech companies, like Amazon Software Development Engineers (SDEs) are often categorized into different levels or tiers based on their skills, experience, and responsibilities. Here's an explanation of the common SDE levels:

SDE 1 (Software Development Engineer 1):

  • SDE 1 is typically an entry-level position for software engineers.
  • Responsibilities usually include writing code, debugging, and contributing to smaller-scale projects under the supervision of more experienced engineers.
  • SDE 1s are expected to learn company-specific technologies, coding standards, and best practices.
  • They might focus more on implementing features rather than designing architectures or making high-level decisions.

SDE 2 (Software Development Engineer 2):

  • SDE 2 is an intermediate-level position for software engineers who have gained some experience.
  • Responsibilities often include designing and implementing larger features, modules, or components of software systems.
  • SDE 2s are expected to demonstrate deeper technical knowledge, proficiency in coding, and problem-solving skills.
  • They might participate in code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to architectural discussions.

Senior SDE (Senior Software Development Engineer):

  • Senior SDEs are experienced engineers who have demonstrated strong technical skills and leadership capabilities.
  • Responsibilities include designing complex systems, making architectural decisions, and leading projects or teams.
  • Senior SDEs often mentor junior and mid-level engineers, conduct code reviews, and provide technical guidance.
  • They are expected to have a deep understanding of software engineering principles, scalability, performance optimization, and best practices.

Principal SDE (Principal Software Development Engineer):

  • Principal SDEs are highly experienced engineers who play a significant role in shaping the technical direction of a company or product.
  • Responsibilities include driving architectural decisions, defining best practices, and solving complex technical challenges.
  • Principal SDEs often lead cross-functional initiatives, collaborate with product managers and other stakeholders, and mentor engineers at all levels.
  • They are expected to have a broad technical expertise, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to influence and inspire others.

Staff SDE (Staff Software Development Engineer):

  • Staff SDE is a senior leadership role for engineers who have made significant contributions to the technical excellence of the organization.
  • Responsibilities include providing strategic technical direction, leading multiple projects or teams, and fostering innovation.
  • Staff SDEs often collaborate with senior leadership to define the technical roadmap, identify emerging technologies, and drive organizational change.
  • They are expected to have a deep understanding of business requirements, market trends, and industry best practices.

Moving to SDE 3

Software Development Engineers are usually at five levels: SDE 1, SDE 2, SDE 3, Architect and Principal Architect. To be promoted to the next level, i.e. from SDE 2 to SDE 3 and even further, lots of hard work is required. One should have a crystal clear understanding of their domain and several design approaches and should be able to identify problems and write solutions.

Check out the blog Moving from SDE-II to SDE-III at Amazon to understand the process of amazon SDE 2 to SDE 3 promotion as well as how to apply for SDE 3 at Amazon as a non-amazonian.

Must Read Product Based Companies in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SDE-2?

SDE 2 is an intermediate-level position for software engineers, involving designing and implementing larger features and contributing to architectural discussions.

What is SDE-2 salary in India?

SDE-2 salary in India varies based on factors like experience, location, and the company. It generally ranges from ₹15-30 lakhs per annum.

What is SDE II in Amazon?

SDE II in Amazon is a mid-level software development engineer position, responsible for designing and building complex software systems and features within the company's ecosystem.

What is the highest salary for SDE-2?

The highest salary for SDE-2 depends on factors such as company, location, and experience. In competitive markets like the US, it can exceed ₹30 lakhs annually.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed SDE-2 Role at Amazon. The SDE-2 role at Amazon represents a pivotal point in the career of software engineers. It demands a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities. SDE-2s play a crucial role in designing and implementing complex systems, driving innovation, and shaping the future of technology at Amazon.

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