Principal Software Engineering Manager - Windows File Explorer

Join the Windows Shell & Services Engineering team to help lead the evolution of File Explorer-one of the most iconic and widely used components of Windows. As a Principal Software Engineering Manager - Windows File Explorer, you will guide a team of talented engineers in delivering intuitive, intelligent, and performant file management experiences to more than a billion users worldwide.

You will be responsible for driving technical excellence, promoting a culture of innovation, growth mindset, and inclusion, and continuously aligning engineering efforts with customer needs and business goals. This is a high-impact role that blends strategic leadership with hands-on engineering oversight and project delivery.

We are looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineering Manager - Windows File Explorer, with experience in releasing end-user experiences to large audiences with quality. We are a fast-paced team working with urgency to deliver, and need a seasoned leader with the energy, ability, and drive to hit the ground running and leading. As a people manager you will motivate and develop individuals, teams, and partners to adapt and move quickly within a frontier culture.

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.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and continuously develop a high-performing engineering team, owning and steering execution of high-quality features within File Explorer.
• Drive alignment across and collaborate with product management, design, data, and partner teams to define and deliver priority features following the "One Microsoft" philosophy.
• Champion engineering best practices, including code quality, testing, and leveraging AI efficiencies.
• Own team health, career development, and performance management, fostering a culture of inclusion, mentorship, growth mindset, and continuous learning.
• Motivate and develop individuals, teams, and partners to adapt and move quickly within our rapidly evolving company and industry culture.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline 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.
• Experience in shipping production-grade software at scale.
• Experience in cross-team collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• 4+ years of people management.

Other Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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 10+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Passion for delivering high-quality and delightful end-to-end customer experiences.
• Consistent growth mindset.
• Energy, ability, and drive to hit the ground running.
• Experience leveraging AI for productivity.
• Familiarity with building UI using XAML is a plus.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and passionate about contributing to a positive team culture.

Software Engineering M5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: ;br>
Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 9, 2025.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form .

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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