Principal Software Engineer

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
• Experience leading architecture and delivery for large-scale distributed cloud services, high-throughput messaging platforms, email transport, service-to-service communications, or comparable mission-critical infrastructure
• Experience driving multi-year technical initiatives across teams or organizations, including dependency alignment, architecture tradeoffs, measurable milestones, and sustained delivery through ambiguity
• Experience with AI-assisted engineering workflows, with demonstrated judgment around Responsible AI, validation, controls, and quality ownership for AI-generated assets

Nice to Haves

• Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
• Deep expertise in reliability engineering, observability, incident prevention, production debugging, safe deployment, performance optimization, and operational excellence for global cloud services
• Experience building secure and compliant systems, including threat modeling, least-privilege operations, privacy-aware telemetry, auditability, secure coding practices, and integration with security monitoring and response processes
• Experience applying data-driven decision making to product and platform engineering, including defining metrics, interpreting production signals, and using customer and service data to guide design and prioritization
• Demonstrated ability to mentor senior engineers, influence technical direction without direct authority, communicate clearly with executives and partner teams, and create an inclusive culture that enables others to do their best work

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead architecture, design, and implementation for complex Substrate Transport modernization work
• Partner with various teams to determine requirements and translate customer needs into technical direction
• Drive safe-change practices and lead live-site engineering for a globally distributed service
• Mentor and coach engineers, and stay current with industry and Microsoft engineering practices

Perks and Benefits

• This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled
• Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer with a culture of inclusion and values of respect, integrity, and accountability