← Amazon Interview Insights

Amazon·Software Engineer·Onsite - System Design / Architecture·Intermediate

Intermediate
Jun 2026

Summary

Amazon SWE interview with a product design question that had nothing to do with code. Wasn't expecting that at all.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design a chair for people with disabilities.

Product Sense & IdeationAdaptability & Ambiguity
Author's notes

Completely blindsided me.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the scope: which disabilities, what environments, and what constraints. Then follow a user-centered design process: define personas, generate ideas, prioritize features, and iterate based on feedback. Emphasize accessibility, inclusivity, and Amazon's leadership principles like Customer Obsession and Invent and Simplify.

Pro tip: Show empathy by focusing on specific user needs rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, and tie your design decisions back to Amazon's leadership principles to demonstrate cultural fit.

1. Clarify Requirements

Ask questions to understand the target users, their disabilities, the contexts of use, and any constraints (e.g., budget, materials, manufacturing).

2. Define Personas and Needs

Create 2-3 personas representing different disabilities (e.g., mobility, visual, cognitive) and list their specific needs and pain points when using a chair.

3. Ideate and Prioritize Features

Brainstorm features that address the needs (e.g., adjustable height, pressure relief, voice control, sensory feedback) and prioritize them using a framework like RICE or MoSCoW.

4. Prototype and Test

Describe a low-fidelity prototype and how you would test it with users, incorporating feedback to iterate on the design.

5. Consider Scalability and Impact

Discuss how the design could be manufactured at scale, its potential impact on users' lives, and how it aligns with Amazon's mission.

Key Points to Mention

  • User-centered design process and empathy for diverse disabilities
  • Specific accessibility features (e.g., adjustable components, assistive technology integration)
  • Trade-offs between customization, cost, and mass production
  • Iterative testing with real users and incorporating feedback
  • Alignment with Amazon's leadership principles (Customer Obsession, Invent and Simplify)
  • Potential use of technology (IoT, voice control) to enhance accessibility

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.