Q&A with Hazim Kharouf, System Development Engineer at Alexa and Amazon Devices, Ring Team in Poland

In this Q&A, Hazim shares his insights on the unique work culture at Amazon, the rewarding challenges he's faced, and the valuable skills he's gained – all while embodying the Amazon's renowned Leadership Principle. His story offers a glimpse into the dynamic opportunities awaiting top tech talent at Amazon's cutting-edge EMEA operations.

Hello Hazim Kharouf,

Can you tell us about your Amazon career journey?

I have worked at Amazon for the past two years, and I've been involved in different projects regarding the integration of Ring with Amazon to help customers to get their orders faster on Ring.com.

What is your current role at Amazon?

As a System Development Engineer (SysDE), I am responsible (along with my team) for the integration between Amazon.com and Ring.com. If someone places an order through Ring.com, it uses our integration to reach Amazon and place the order. It always excites me that my team is involved in creating Amazon-wide solutions that can be used by any other team or organization across the company.

What draws you to working in tech, and why did you choose to a career at Amazon?

Working in tech is amazing – you get to experience advanced technologies and solve technical puzzles all day to troubleshoot and solve problems. It's a path that requires critical thinking abilities to succeed, and working at Amazon was the natural next step for me to learn the most advanced technologies. Amazon has one of the biggest (if not the biggest) tech stacks in the world, allowing employees to work with the most up-to-date technologies.

Why have you decided to work for one of our EMEA Tech Hubs ?

Amazon's EMEA tech hubs represent some of the most advanced tech hubs in the region, and I've had the chance to work in two EMEA tech hubs in Warsaw and Gdansk, Poland. I can safely say that it has been an amazing experience. The Polish tech hubs are a great place to work for any engineer, where they will be welcomed in an inclusive environment to work alongside the best of the best.

What is your proudest moment at Amazon, and how did it demonstrate your commitment to one or more of Amazon's Leadership Principles?

I was able to solve a complex technical issue by creating a solution that would work for all the errors we receive. This meant that no matter what error we receive for our service (even if not related to the issue I was facing), there would be much more information available, making it easier to find and solve that issue. This demonstrated my commitment to the "Deliver Results" and “Insist on the Highest Standards” Leadership Principles.

What do you find most unique and rewarding about Amazon's culture and work environment?

Engineers at Amazon are very driven, and managers do not micromanage. Every employee is more than capable of working autonomously, finding new tasks, and keeping themselves busy. They do not need a manager to check on them constantly. This level of autonomy and trust has been very rewarding.

How has working at Amazon enabled you to grow as a Tech professional?

Working at Amazon has allowed me to work with some of the most advanced tech stacks in existence. I was able to work with large-scale environments and learn a lot of new tools. Working at Amazon has also taught me valuable life skills, such as problem-solving and rapid learning, which have greatly benefited my career.

What is your favourite Leadership Principle (LP) and why?

Deliver Results Leadership Principle resonates the most with me. I always believe it's the most important principle, because even when applying all the other principles, if you don't deliver results, your work is not complete. I always deliver results with my tasks before moving on to a new one.

What unique skill or trait do you possess that sets you apart and contributes to your success at Amazon?

Being a very quick learner and being able to switch contexts quickly are unique skills that set me apart. Quick learning is critical to my success, as it allows me to pick up new projects or tools that the team is not familiar with and learn them to a proficient level quickly, helping the team use those tools. And my ability to switch contexts quickly allows me to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

What is your favorite Amazon product or service?

The Ring doorbell is my favorite Amazon product. This might sound a little biased as an employee of Ring, but being able to check my doorstep in Poland while I was traveling on vacation in Spain was mind-blowing. It makes me feel much more secure, and I never have to worry about the safety of my house when I'm not there.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance, and what are some of your hobbies or passions outside of work?

It's very important to deliver results, but it's also crucial not to overwork oneself. I love separating my work life and personal life mentally, allowing me to fully focus during work hours on my work, and allowing me to relax during my off-hours. During my off-hours, I enjoy traveling with my wife, playing board games, playing football and other sports, and indulging in video games.

What's the best tip you would give someone who wants to apply and interview for an Amazon role in the EMEA tech hubs?

It's important to focus on the behavioral part of the interview, not just the technical. As engineers, many of us tend to focus too much on the technical aspect while ignoring the behavioral aspect, which is just as important. There needs to be a balance. Also, you need to be prepared, as opportunities to work for an amazing company like Amazon are rare, so make the most of it.

If you're inspired by Hazim Kharouf 's experience and want to explore the diverse opportunities at Amazon's EMEA tech hubs, I encourage you to check out our current job openings here. We're always on the lookout for talented individuals who share our passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible.