Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Chewy, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After a recruiter call, I got pulled into a pretty aggressive schedule: a technical screen, then a final sequence of four back-to-back interviews (two coding rounds, a system design discussion, and a behavioral round), before the decision. The whole loop felt like they were moving fast and not bothering to be transparent—at least in my case, I only learned the exact day for my calls within the window I’d given them.
I started with a recruiter call that was genuinely helpful—he explained the role and also walked me through what the interview process would look like, which made the next steps feel a lot less vague. From there, I went into a staff engineer round, followed by a hiring manager round, then two director-level interviews, and finally a system design interview.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter call, followed by a technical screen and a series of back-to-back interviews, often including coding, system design, and behavioral rounds. The overall timeline can be aggressive, with some candidates experiencing a full loop in under three weeks.
Candidates can expect a mix of coding challenges, often in a HackerRank or LeetCode format, with questions ranging from easy to medium difficulty. Java and fundamental concepts are frequently emphasized, and some candidates reported unexpected technical assessments that required specific knowledge.
System design interviews often involve collaborative discussions on real-world applications, while behavioral rounds typically follow the STAR method, focusing on past experiences and alignment with company values. The tone in these interviews can vary, with some candidates noting a more conversational approach.
The interview environment can range from supportive and calm to stressful and chaotic, with some candidates feeling rushed or unsupported during technical assessments. The demeanor of interviewers also varies, impacting the overall experience.
Candidates reported mixed experiences with communication throughout the process, including delays in feedback and a lack of transparency regarding decisions. Some felt that the process was poorly coordinated, leading to frustration and uncertainty.
While some candidates received offers, others did not, often citing mismatches in expectations or unclear evaluation criteria. Many reflected on the unpredictability of the outcomes, emphasizing the importance of preparation and alignment with the interview format.