Amazon’s SDE internship (Software Development Engineer Intern) has always been a popular target for international students in North America. It’s not only well-respected but also often a gateway to a full-time job. Compared to other companies, Amazon’s hiring process is pretty standardized, and they have a solid training system in place. They expect a lot from interns, but they also give you plenty of chances to grow.
If you want to get into Amazon’s SDE internship, the first step is to apply early. The application for summer internships usually opens in the fall for positions the next year. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of getting an interview. The process usually involves resume screening, an online assessment (OA), and behavioral interviews. The OA is a big deal—often done on platforms like Codility—and usually includes two coding problems plus a short work-simulation multiple-choice section. You get about 90 minutes. The problems aren’t super hard, but you need to be accurate and efficient.
The interviews are split into technical and behavioral parts. The technical side focuses on medium-level LeetCode problems. They look for clean code, handling edge cases, and clear explanations of your thought process. On the behavioral side, Amazon really cares about its Leadership Principles like “Ownership,” “Bias for Action,” and “Customer Obsession.” It helps to answer using the STAR method—talk about the Situation, Task, Action, and Result—so you show your thinking and responsibility. Even if your coding is good, if you don’t fit their culture, it could hurt your chances.
Pay-wise, Amazon’s SDE internship is pretty competitive—usually $45 to $55 an hour, plus housing and transportation help. The internship runs for about 12 weeks, and you’ll work on real projects with actual teams. Many interns get return offers after the internship. If you show initiative, communicate well, and are eager to learn, your odds of a full-time offer go up a lot.
For international students, Amazon is pretty supportive—most roles accept CPT and OPT. Still, it’s smart to check with your school ahead of time so you don’t miss any deadlines. Overall, even though it’s competitive, the process is clear, and with solid prep, getting the internship is doable. For CS students wanting to build a long-term career in the U.S., it’s definitely worth the effort.
Release time:2025-07-01
