Chewy Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Chewy is dedicated to becoming the most trustworthy and convenient online destination for pet parents and their partners, focusing on customer satisfaction rather than just sales metrics.

As a Software Engineer at Chewy, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the company's technological capabilities and improving the customer experience. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining scalable software solutions, particularly within the AWS ecosystem. You will be expected to write clean, maintainable code, advocate for software engineering best practices, and ensure data security and compliance in all your projects. Collaboration is key; you will work closely with data scientists and other engineering teams to align on technical needs and develop robust solutions that meet business goals.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field and at least 7 years of experience in software engineering. A strong foundation in object-oriented design, algorithms, problem-solving, and a passion for data-driven decision-making will set you apart. Excellent communication skills are crucial, as you will be required to convey complex technical information to various stakeholders.

Preparing for a Chewy interview involves understanding the company's mission and values, being proficient in your technical skills, and being ready to engage in discussions about collaborative solutions and innovative ideas. This guide will help you navigate the interview process and equip you with the knowledge to make a lasting impression.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Chewy is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with Chewy's mission and values.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with a brief phone call with a recruiter. This initial conversation usually lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on understanding your background, motivations for applying, and general fit for the role. The recruiter may also discuss the company culture and the specifics of the position to ensure alignment with your career goals.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screen, candidates are often required to complete a technical assessment. This may take the form of an online coding quiz or a live coding exercise, typically conducted via platforms like HackerRank. The assessment usually includes questions on core programming concepts, data structures, and algorithms, with a strong emphasis on Java or other relevant languages. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and coding proficiency.

3. Technical Interview

If successful in the technical assessment, candidates will move on to a one-hour technical interview with a software engineer. This interview may include a mix of coding challenges and theoretical questions, focusing on object-oriented design, system architecture, and debugging scenarios. Interviewers often look for clarity in thought processes and the ability to articulate solutions effectively.

4. Onsite or Virtual Panel Interview

The final stage typically involves a panel interview, which can last several hours and may be conducted onsite or virtually. This round usually consists of multiple back-to-back interviews with different team members, including technical leads and managers. Candidates can expect a variety of questions, including coding challenges, system design problems, and behavioral questions that assess teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Interviewers will evaluate not only technical expertise but also how well candidates align with Chewy's values and collaborative culture.

5. HR and Team Fit Interview

After the technical rounds, candidates may have a final discussion with HR or team leads to assess cultural fit and discuss any remaining questions about the role or company. This conversation often focuses on collaboration, conflict resolution, and how candidates can contribute to the team dynamic.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a range of questions that will test your technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. Here are some of the types of questions you might encounter during the interview process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Chewy typically consists of multiple stages, including a phone screen, technical assessments, and a final panel interview. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Expect a mix of coding challenges, system design questions, and behavioral assessments. Knowing what to expect can help you manage your time and energy effectively during the interview.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Given the emphasis on coding and algorithms, brush up on your Java skills, as many technical interviews focus on this language. Practice common coding problems, especially those related to data structures and algorithms, as well as system design scenarios. Utilize platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to simulate the coding interview environment. Be ready to explain your thought process clearly while coding, as interviewers appreciate candidates who can articulate their reasoning.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

Chewy values teamwork and collaboration, so be prepared to discuss your experiences working in teams. Highlight instances where you successfully collaborated with others to solve problems or deliver projects. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate complex technical concepts in a way that is understandable to non-technical stakeholders. This will showcase your fit within Chewy's culture of collaboration.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Interviewers at Chewy are interested in how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to tackle open-ended questions that require you to think critically and creatively. When faced with a coding challenge, take the time to outline your approach before diving into the code. This not only helps you organize your thoughts but also allows the interviewer to follow your reasoning.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within Chewy's culture. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Prepare examples that demonstrate your adaptability, leadership, and ability to handle challenges. Chewy looks for candidates who align with their mission and values, so be sure to convey your passion for improving customer experiences.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if Chewy is the right fit for you. Inquire about the team dynamics, the technologies they use, and how they measure success. Asking about the company's future projects or challenges can also demonstrate your enthusiasm and forward-thinking mindset.

Follow Up for Feedback

After your interviews, don’t hesitate to reach out for feedback, especially if you don’t receive an offer. While the feedback may be vague, it can provide valuable insights for your future interviews. Chewy's interview process can be lengthy, so maintaining communication with your recruiter can help you stay informed about your application status.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can enhance your chances of success in the interview process at Chewy. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Chewy. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of software engineering principles, coding practices, and your ability to collaborate effectively with others.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a class and an object in Java?

Understanding the fundamentals of object-oriented programming is crucial for this role.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of a class as a blueprint for creating objects and an object as an instance of a class. Provide examples to illustrate your points.

Example

“A class is a template that defines the properties and behaviors of an object, while an object is an instance of that class. For example, if 'Car' is a class, then 'myCar' is an object of that class, with specific attributes like color and model.”

2. How would you implement a synchronized singleton in Java?

This question tests your understanding of design patterns and concurrency.

How to Answer

Explain the singleton pattern and how synchronization ensures that only one instance of the class is created. Discuss the use of the synchronized keyword or other mechanisms like enum or double-checked locking.

Example

“To implement a synchronized singleton, I would create a private static instance of the class and a private constructor. The getInstance() method would be synchronized to ensure that only one thread can access it at a time, preventing multiple instances from being created.”

3. Describe how you would optimize a slow API endpoint.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and understanding of performance tuning.

How to Answer

Discuss various strategies such as analyzing logs, profiling the application, optimizing database queries, caching responses, and load balancing.

Example

“I would start by profiling the API to identify bottlenecks. If database queries are slow, I would optimize them by adding indexes or rewriting them. Implementing caching for frequently accessed data could also significantly improve response times.”

4. What is the difference between inner and outer joins in SQL?

This question evaluates your SQL knowledge, which is essential for data handling.

How to Answer

Explain the definitions of inner and outer joins, and provide examples of when to use each.

Example

“An inner join returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables, while an outer join returns all rows from one table and the matched rows from the other. For instance, if I want to find all customers and their orders, I would use an inner join, but if I want to list all customers regardless of whether they have placed an order, I would use a left outer join.”

Problem Solving

5. How would you approach debugging a complex issue in a production environment?

This question assesses your debugging skills and approach to problem-solving.

How to Answer

Discuss your systematic approach to debugging, including gathering logs, reproducing the issue, and isolating the problem.

Example

“I would start by reviewing the logs to identify any error messages or unusual patterns. Then, I would try to reproduce the issue in a staging environment to isolate the problem. Once identified, I would implement a fix and monitor the system to ensure stability.”

6. Can you describe a time when you had to learn a new technology quickly?

This question evaluates your adaptability and willingness to learn.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where you successfully learned a new technology under pressure, highlighting your learning strategies.

Example

“When I was tasked with implementing a new microservices architecture, I quickly familiarized myself with Docker and Kubernetes by following online courses and documentation. Within a week, I was able to deploy a sample application using these technologies.”

System Design

7. How would you design a system to handle user authentication?

This question tests your system design skills and understanding of security principles.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of a secure authentication system, including user registration, password hashing, token generation, and session management.

Example

“I would design a system where users register with their email and password, which would be hashed using a strong algorithm like bcrypt. Upon login, I would generate a JWT token for session management, ensuring that sensitive data is never stored in the token itself.”

8. Describe how you would design a scalable notification system.

This question assesses your ability to design systems that can handle growth.

How to Answer

Discuss the architecture, including message queues, microservices, and database considerations.

Example

“I would use a message queue like RabbitMQ to handle incoming notifications, allowing for asynchronous processing. Each notification type could be handled by a separate microservice, ensuring that the system can scale horizontally as the number of notifications increases.”

Behavioral Questions

9. Tell me about a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Example

“In a previous project, there was a disagreement about the technology stack to use. I facilitated a meeting where each team member could present their case. We ultimately decided to conduct a small proof of concept for both options, which helped us make an informed decision together.”

10. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including tools or methods you use to manage your workload.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and set deadlines. Regular check-ins with my team also help ensure that I’m aligned with project goals and timelines.”