Software Development Manager Interview Experience - Toronto, Ontario
Process
I made it to the first-round technical interview. I prepared for a week (about 20 hours) to have answers ready in the STAR format for Amazon's leadership principles.
The interviewer was kind and asked a set of questions that were all reasonable and about what I expected. I honestly felt as though it was one of the best interviews of my 20-year career. I seemed to be getting positive responses from the interviewer for all my answers, and I feel as though I nailed all his follow-up questions.
The next day, I received an automated response stating I had been rejected, with no reasoning provided. I have no idea what went wrong.
Questions
Describe a system you designed in detail.
Was this helpful?
Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 3 interview experiences for the Amazon Software Development Manager role in Toronto, Ontario.
Success Rate
Amazon's interview process for their Software Development Manager roles in Toronto, Ontario is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for Amazon's Software Development Manager interview process in Toronto, Ontario.
Amazon Work Experiences
- 3.0Challenging Problems, Top-down ManagementSoftware Development Manager • Current EmployeeToronto, Ontario, CanadaSeptember 13, 2025Pros: Good learning opportunity. Interesting and challenging engineering problems.Cons: Top-down management Limited benefits Stack-ranked performance evaluations
- 3.0You would be lucky to get a good managerSoftware Development Manager • Current EmployeeToronto, Ontario, CanadaApril 10, 2025Pros: Good salary and benefits, with lots of learning opportunities.Cons: There's too much politics; it's a gamble when you join Amazon. You are in heaven if you get a good team with a defined charter and a supporting manager. Each team/org is different, and your L7+ will play their games to get themselves promoted without thinking about anyone else on the team.
- 2.0Toxic Culture, High PaySoftware Development Manager • Current EmployeeToronto, Ontario, CanadaMarch 30, 2025Pros: Salary range is higher than other companies.Cons: There is no work-life balance. You are required to work overtime. The company culture is very toxic. 'Optics' of the work are more valued than the 'quality' and 'impact' of the work.
Amazon Interview Questions
