Sr. Software Engineer

The eBPF Tools Team (Azure Linux) builds open-source observability for cloud-native and Azure workloads. We maintain Inspektor Gadget (CNCF) to transform low-level Linux kernel signals into actionable insights across AKS and other Open Source and Microsoft platforms. We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer who wants to make deep kernel observability approachable, safe, and scalable for a wide range of production environments.

As a Senior Software Engineer on the eBPF Tools Team, you will design and build core components of Inspektor Gadget and its ecosystem with a primary focus on AKS scenarios and a scope that extends to other Open Source and Microsoft platforms . You will write high-quality Go and eBPF code, evolve image-based gadgets, enhance Kubernetes/AKS enrichment, and create integration pathways that help partner systems and customers consume kernel insights at scale. You'll collaborate across Azure Linux, AKS, and internal product teams and contribute upstream to advance open observability.

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 and implement Go services and eBPF programs that power Inspektor Gadget's gadgets, enrichment pipeline, and developer APIs-prioritizing reliability, performance, and usability on AKS.
• Advance image-based gadgets (OCI) and operators; improve data interfaces and integration points for AKS and additional platforms.
• Optimize for scale: reduce agent footprint, improve enrichment fidelity (pods/nodes/services), and ensure smooth operation on large multi-node clusters.
• Collaborate with AKS, Azure Linux, and partner teams on priorities and roadmaps; contribute upstream to relevant open-source communities (eBPF, Kubernetes, observability).
• Act as DRI for components/services as needed-own outcomes and drive investigations and improvements when issues arise in high-impact customer and partner scenarios.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience using Linux fundamentals (syscalls, namespaces, cgroups, networking/storage subsystems) and hands-on experience using or building eBPF-based tooling.
• 2+ years of experience with Kubernetes and container runtimes.

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 6+ 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 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 with libbpf, cilium/ebpf, BCC, CO-RE, or kernel tracing/profiling tools; familiarity with OCI packaging for artifacts.
• GPU/AI: low-level GPU work (e.g., CUDA/ROCm, GPU drivers/profiling) or building/operating AI/ML workloads-especially for observability or performance analysis.
• Background in AKS/k8s operations/performance tuning and in building or integrating observability tooling for large clusters, plus exposure to partner scenarios beyond Kubernetes.
• Demonstrated open-source contributions (e.g., Linux kernel, eBPF ecosystem, Kubernetes, container runtimes, or observability projects), with evidence of collaborative upstream work.
• Experience working in a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) company, especially where the primary customers are businesses (B2B) rather than direct consumers (B2C). This includes understanding enterprise customer needs, supporting business-critical workloads, and collaborating across product and engineering teams to deliver scalable solutions.

Software Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $158,400 - $258,000 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 October 7, 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.

#azurecorejobs