Principal Software Engineer

The Software-Defined Datacenter (SDD) team pairs software and machine learning with cross-layer optimization-from facilities and hardware up through the software stack-to squeeze maximum efficiency from our servers, GPUs, and power-and-cooling resources. The team focuses on step function improvements in efficiency, collaborating closely with Azure Systems research group, which is a peer team. Initiatives driven by this team has saved Microsoft multiple billions of dollars and key contributions towards Microsoft sustainability goals. Example projects this group has been driving include Software-controller datacenter power efficiency for traditional and AI datacenters, ML platform for systems, Intelligent CPU oversubscription, and Software-controlled server repairs. Work driven by this group has been published in renowned publications including ISCA and Nature. Now we're pushing further: enabling AI-training supercomputers, dynamically composable servers, and software-optimized cooling at hyperscale. We are part of the Azure Core, which is the operating system for Azure.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will remain a hands-on technical leader, writing production code when it counts while shaping the long-term architecture of Microsoft's software-defined datacenter. You'll prototype bold ideas, iterate through pushback, and partner closely with engineering managers across hardware, firmware, and platform teams to land them in production. The role is perfect for a senior IC who thrives on innovation, collaboration, and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

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:

• Design & Build - Own end-to-end architecture and implementation of cloud-scale services.
• Code With Impact - Dive into C#, Rust, or Python to build high-reliability control-plane and data-plane components, lead by example in code quality and testing.
• Leverage AI/ML - Driver for applying ML in our scenarios and infusing AI in our workflows.
• Innovate Relentlessly - Incubate new ideas, validate them with data, and drive adoption across Azure.
• Push fundamentals - Champion a culture of Livesite first, focus on Quality and security.
• Collaborate Broadly - Act as the glue between research, engineering, hardware, and datacenter teams; navigate competing priorities and turn consensus into execution.
• Mentor & Uplift - Coach peers, champion inclusive engineering practices, and help recruit the diverse talent our mission requires.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• 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#, Rust, or Python
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of cloud infrastructure development experience.
• 2+ years of experience deploying/leveraging ML models at scale

Other Qualifications:

• 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:

• 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 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 equivalent experience.
• Experience in analyzing and troubleshooting large-scale distributed systems
  • AND in critical production online service environments;
  • AND developing, debugging, and maintaining code in C#.

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 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 $180,400 - $294,000 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 July 16, 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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