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Amazon·Software Engineer·Onsite - Behavioral / Leadership·Intermediate

Intermediate
Apr 2026

Summary

Amazon SWE interview with a scenario-based question about code review ethics. Pretty niche format where you rank actions from most to least effective rather than just describing what you'd do.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

You're reviewing a colleague's code that has already been approved by another engineer, and you spot a bug that will affect customers. How do you rank the following options from most to least effective: ignore the issue, approve the code and patch it after deployment, consult the approving engineer before deploying, leave a comment on the review and withhold your approval, or document the issue for a post-launch fix?

Conflict ResolutionTechnical Trade-offsStakeholder Management
Author's notes

The ranking format threw me a bit.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Rank the options based on customer impact, team collaboration, and process integrity, prioritizing immediate action to prevent customer-facing bugs. Explain your reasoning by emphasizing ownership, bias for action, and the importance of not bypassing review processes. Show that you value both technical excellence and effective teamwork.

Pro tip: Frame your answer around Amazon's Leadership Principles, such as 'Customer Obsession' and 'Bias for Action', to demonstrate cultural fit. Acknowledge that while the bug is critical, how you handle the situation with your colleague is equally important for long-term team health.

1. Assess the Bug's Severity

Quickly evaluate the bug's potential impact on customers and the business to determine the urgency of action. This justifies why you can't simply ignore or delay addressing it.

2. Rank Options by Effectiveness

Order the options from most to least effective based on criteria like customer protection, team collaboration, and process adherence. For example: leave a comment and withhold approval > consult the approving engineer > document for post-launch fix > approve and patch after deployment > ignore.

3. Explain Your Top Choice

Detail why leaving a comment and withholding approval is most effective: it prevents the bug from reaching customers, initiates a collaborative discussion, and respects the review process. Mention that this approach aligns with Amazon's high standards and customer obsession.

4. Discuss Alternatives and Trade-offs

Briefly explain why other options are less effective, such as consulting the approving engineer (good but slower), documenting for post-launch (risks customer impact), approving and patching (reactive and risky), and ignoring (unacceptable).

5. Highlight Collaboration and Ownership

Emphasize that the goal is to fix the bug while maintaining positive relationships. Suggest proactive communication with both the author and approver to resolve the issue efficiently.

Key Points to Mention

  • Customer Obsession: Prioritize preventing customer-facing bugs above all else.
  • Bias for Action: Act quickly to address the issue rather than waiting for post-launch fixes.
  • Ownership: Take responsibility for the quality of code, even if it's not yours.
  • Effective Communication: Use respectful, constructive comments and direct conversations to resolve conflicts.
  • Process Integrity: Follow established code review practices to ensure quality and accountability.
  • Team Collaboration: Involve the approving engineer to learn and align on standards.

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