Chewy Software Engineer Interview Questions & Guide 2026

A Software Engineer at Chewy plays a pivotal role in shaping the technology that drives one of the leading e-commerce platforms for pet products. This position is essential not only for developing robust software solutions but also for enhancing the customer experience through innovative technology. You will be involved in critical projects that impact how customers interact with Chewy's services, making it vital for the company's success in a competitive market.

In this role, you will contribute to various aspects of product development, from designing scalable systems to implementing features that delight pet owners. You will work alongside cross-functional teams, including product managers and designers, to push the boundaries of what Chewy can offer. The complexity and scale of the systems you will work on provide an exciting opportunity for growth and impact in a dynamic environment.

Expect your interview to include a variety of questions that assess both your technical abilities and your approach to problem-solving. The questions listed below are representative of what you may encounter, derived from online interview communities, but remember that variations might occur depending on the team and specific role.

Technical / Domain Questions

This category evaluates your technical expertise and understanding of software engineering principles.

Explain the difference between an abstract class and an interface in object-oriented programming.
How would you optimize the performance of a database query?

What is REST, and how does it differ from SOAP?
Describe a time when you had to debug a complex issue in production. What steps did you take?
Can you explain the principles of Agile development?

System Design / Architecture

These questions focus on your ability to design scalable and efficient systems.

Design a system for managing customer orders at Chewy. What components would you include?
How would you handle high traffic to ensure your application remains responsive?
Discuss the trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL databases for a new project.
What strategies would you use to ensure system reliability and fault tolerance?
How would you approach designing a microservices architecture?

Behavioral / Leadership

Expect to discuss your experiences and how they align with Chewy's values.

Describe a challenging project you worked on. What was your role, and what was the outcome?
How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?
Give an example of how you resolved a conflict within your team.
What motivates you to do your best work?
How do you ensure that your team communicates effectively?

Problem-Solving / Case Studies

These questions test your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

You are given a task to improve the search functionality on the Chewy website. What steps would you take?
How would you approach a situation where you have limited information about user needs?
Describe a creative solution you implemented in a previous role.
If a feature you developed is not performing as expected, how would you investigate and fix it?
What analytical methods do you use to assess software performance?

Coding / Algorithms

Be prepared to demonstrate your coding skills through practical exercises.

Write a function to reverse a string in your preferred programming language.
Solve a problem involving data structures, such as finding the longest substring without repeating characters.
Explain the time and space complexity of your solution.
Implement a binary search algorithm and discuss its efficiency.
How would you approach a coding challenge under time constraints?

Preparation is key to performing well in your interviews. You should focus on both technical skills and soft skills, ensuring you can demonstrate not just what you know, but how you apply that knowledge in real-world situations.

Role-related knowledge – Understand the technologies and frameworks relevant to your potential role at Chewy. Familiarize yourself with the software development lifecycle, and be ready to discuss your experiences in different phases.

Problem-solving ability – Show how you approach complex challenges. Use structured methods to break down problems and highlight your thought process during interviews.

Leadership – Even as a Software Engineer, demonstrating leadership qualities can set you apart. Discuss how you influence your team and collaborate effectively.

Culture fit / values – Chewy values a customer-centric approach. Be prepared to illustrate how your work aligns with this philosophy and how you handle ambiguity and change.

The interview process at Chewy is designed to identify not only your technical abilities but also your fit within the company's culture and values. Candidates typically experience a thorough evaluation that includes multiple stages, often beginning with a phone screen followed by technical assessments and final onsite interviews. You can expect a rigorous yet supportive environment, where collaboration is emphasized.

Throughout the process, interviewers will focus on assessing your technical skills in conjunction with your problem-solving capabilities. The interviews are structured to allow you to showcase your experience and how you can contribute to Chewy's mission.

This visual timeline illustrates the stages of the interview process, including technical and behavioral assessments. Use it to plan your preparation strategically, ensuring you dedicate time to each phase. Recognize the nuances that may vary by team or role level, and approach each stage with confidence.

Understanding how you will be evaluated can significantly enhance your preparation. Below are key evaluation areas that are critical for success in the Software Engineer role at Chewy.

Technical Proficiency

This area assesses your knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, and software engineering principles.

Language proficiency – Be ready to discuss languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript, and demonstrate your coding skills.
Frameworks – Familiarize yourself with relevant frameworks that Chewy utilizes.
Best practices – Understand coding best practices, design patterns, and software development methodologies.

Example questions or scenarios:

Describe the benefits of using a particular framework in a project.
How do you ensure code quality and maintainability?

Problem-Solving Skills

Your analytical thinking and approach to challenges will be evaluated in this area.

Analytical methods – Discuss how you approach complex problems and your thought process.
Creativity in solutions – Share examples of innovative solutions you’ve implemented.

Example questions or scenarios:

How would you approach a problem with insufficient data?
Describe a time when you had to pivot in your approach to a project.

Team Collaboration

Effective collaboration is vital at Chewy, and your ability to work within a team will be closely observed.

Communication skills – Highlight how you communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Conflict resolution – Share experiences where you resolved disagreements within a team.

Example questions or scenarios:

Describe a time when you had to align a team's efforts toward a common goal.
How do you encourage open communication in your team?

As a Software Engineer at Chewy, your day-to-day responsibilities will encompass a variety of tasks that are essential for developing and maintaining software solutions. You will engage in:

Designing, coding, and testing new features that enhance the customer experience.
Collaborating with product managers and designers to translate requirements into technical specifications.
Participating in code reviews to ensure quality and share knowledge with team members.
Troubleshooting and resolving issues in production systems to maintain service reliability.
Contributing to the continuous improvement of development processes and team practices.

Your role will require you to work closely with adjacent teams, such as operations and marketing, to ensure that technology solutions align with business objectives.

A strong candidate for the Software Engineer position at Chewy will typically possess the following qualifications:

Must-have skills –
- Proficiency in programming languages like Java, Python, or JavaScript.
- Experience with software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum).
- Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms.
Nice-to-have skills –
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure).
- Experience in e-commerce or related industries.
- Knowledge of front-end frameworks (React, Angular).

Your background should reflect a blend of technical expertise and collaborative experience, demonstrating your ability to contribute to Chewy's mission.

Q: How difficult is the interview process, and how much preparation time is typical?
The interview process at Chewy is considered rigorous, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Candidates typically prepare for several weeks, revisiting core concepts and practicing problem-solving skills.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates?
Successful candidates often demonstrate a strong technical foundation, effective communication skills, and a collaborative mindset. They align their experiences with Chewy's values and exhibit a genuine passion for improving customer experiences.

Q: What is the culture and working style at Chewy?
Chewy fosters a collaborative and customer-centric culture. Team members are encouraged to innovate and share ideas, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.

Q: What is the typical timeline from initial screen to offer?
The timeline can vary, but candidates usually receive feedback within a few weeks. The process includes multiple stages, so managing your time effectively is crucial.

Q: Are remote work or hybrid expectations common?
Chewy has embraced flexible working arrangements, and many team members work in a hybrid model. Expect to discuss your preferences during the interview process.

Demonstrate problem-solving skills: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers, especially for behavioral questions.
Align with company values: Familiarize yourself with Chewy's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your experiences align with them.
Practice coding under pressure: Simulate interview conditions to become comfortable solving coding problems quickly.
Engage with your interviewers: Treat the interview as a two-way conversation; ask questions that show your interest in the role and company.

Tip

Remember to review your past experiences and prepare specific examples that highlight your skills and accomplishments.

The Software Engineer role at Chewy is not just about coding; it is about building solutions that enhance the lives of pet owners. You will have the opportunity to work on impactful projects in a collaborative environment that values innovation and customer satisfaction.

Focus your preparation on understanding the evaluation areas, practicing coding challenges, and preparing to showcase your problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills. Engage with the company's mission to better articulate your passion for the role.

For more insights and resources, consider exploring additional interview materials on Dataford. Your focused preparation can significantly improve your performance, and with the right mindset, you can excel in the interview process.

Interview Guides

Chewy Software Engineer interview questions & guide 2026

What is a Software Engineer at Chewy?

Common Interview Questions

Technical / Domain Questions

System Design / Architecture

Behavioral / Leadership

Problem-Solving / Case Studies

Coding / Algorithms

The questions most likely to come up

See how a strong candidate would approach this

Manage Scope Changes in Software Development

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Interview Process Overview

The interview process, end to end

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Technical Proficiency

Problem-Solving Skills

Team Collaboration

What they actually test for

Key Responsibilities

Role Requirements & Qualifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Other General Tips

Tip

Summary & Next Steps

Other roles at Chewy