Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

11d • $142,800 - $304,200

About The Position

As part of Microsoft Security, the team develops and operates Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) capabilities that help organizations discover, classify, label, and protect sensitive data across Microsoft 365, endpoints, applications, and cloud environments. The team builds secure, scalable solutions to safeguard critical information, support compliance and regulatory requirements, and reduce data loss and leakage risks in an AI-driven world.

The Principal Software Engineer will develop and operate next-generation products for data protection. The role leads high-quality software engineering practices and applies AI across the software development lifecycle; drives reliability and incident response; leads complex architecture and design; ensures security, privacy, and compliance; and partners across teams to deliver end-to-end solutions and continuously improve engineering outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft background and Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field and 8+ years of technical engineering experience coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python; or a bachelor's degree in a related field and 12+ years of such experience; or equivalent experience.
• Experience with large-scale data processing in distributed systems.
• Experience in data analysis and statistical modeling, including regression, classification, clustering, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Apply AI across the software development lifecycle and lead high-quality coding practices, including reviews, testing, and secure, scalable, maintainable code.
• Use telemetry, debugging, and root cause analysis to prevent issues, improve system health, and drive incident resolution as the directly responsible individual (DRI).
• Own or review complex system design and architecture, balancing performance, scalability, cost, and trade-offs.
• Ensure adherence to security, privacy, and compliance standards while driving automation, CI/CD, and safe, efficient deployments.
• Partner cross-functionally to deliver end-to-end solutions, incorporate customer insights, and continuously improve systems, processes, and engineering outcomes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal