Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft • ,

4d • $142,800 - $304,200

About The Position

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our team. On the Substrate Deployment Team, we are responsible for deploying changes to hundreds of thousands of servers across all our datacenters. Our team builds the platform that not only provides a scalable, efficient, and cost-effective deployment solution for high-scale services, but also leverages AI-driven innovation to improve deployment reliability, automation, and operational excellence. We manage infrastructure throughout the application lifecycle to make the experience seamless for our customers. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in AI-native development — working within Agent Harnesses (GitHub Copilot CLI, Coding Agents), authoring Markdown specs/ADRs and YAML configs as Agent-consumable inputs, orchestrating multi-step Agentic workflows across the SDLC, and reviewing Agent-generated code and PRs with production-grade rigor.
• Fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, object-oriented design, and scalable systems.
• Experience building, testing, debugging, and maintaining production-quality software, following established engineering practices as well as leveraging large language models (LLMs).
• Problem-solving and technical judgment skills, with the ability to design scoped solutions, debug complex issues, and improve service performance.
• Experience with cloud platforms and distributed/service-oriented architecture.
• Experience with reliability, monitoring, and performance optimization practices.
• Experience in driving AI (LLM/ML) based engineering solution.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers, product managers, and partner teams to deliver experiences with the right overall design and architecture, leveraging AI where it can meaningfully improve deployment efficiency, reliability, and customer outcomes.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to engineers both in, and beyond, your team, including the adoption of modern AI-powered development practices and tools.
• Own and deliver complete features across the development lifecycle, including design, architecture, implementation, testability, debugging, shipping, and servicing.
• Drive innovation through automation and AI-powered solutions to improve deployment intelligence, operational efficiency, and service reliability at hyperscale.
• Ensure your team delivers clean, well-thought-out code with an emphasis on quality, performance, simplicity, durability, scalability, maintainability, and effective use of AI-assisted engineering practices.

Benefits

• Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

What This Job Offers

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