Principal Software Engineer

Would you like to be part of a team that builds the best-in-class secure connectivity platform to our customers? Do concepts such as privacy, zero trust and network security excite you? In this world where we need to assume all networks are compromised, would you like to craft the defenses that protect our customers. We would like to provide our customers with reliable and secure connectivity whether it is a student, an artist or an enterprise worker, and enable them to be at their productive best. We are a fun, inclusive team that keeps the customers' needs top of mind. You will be part of the organization which delivers code to Azure, Windows Server and Windows Client. This portfolio impressively powers the world with more than one billion monthly active devices.

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to shape the architecture and development of the next generation of s ecure traffic steering engine on Windows. This role is critical in shaping the long-term strategy for secure, reliable, and flexible network traffic management, enabling advanced enterprise and developer scenarios .

As part of our team, you will architect, design and implement a secure connectivity platform enabling our zero-trust networking customers to build their solutions. The platform will build on core networking areas spanning VPN, Firewall and TCP/IP . Your code will span kernel and user mode of the OS . You will be working on cutting-edge technology that includes contributions to standards bodies such as the IETF for protocols such as IPSec/IKEv2 including enhancing these security protocols for Post Quantum Cryptography.

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:

• Architect, d esign and implement features in the Windows networking stack that accrue to network security .

• Conduct analysis and do focused investigations based on customer cases related to the core networking areas using a variety of mechanisms such as logging, packet capture , telemetry data.

• Debug, analyze and then design and implement fixes for defects found in the networking stacks.

• Collaboratively work with teams in Redmond and IDC for design and development activities

• Learn and keep up with networking standards-based protocols with the goal of building out great functionality to help customers

• Partners with appropriate stakeholders to determine user requirements for a set of scenarios.

• Leads identification of dependencies and the development of design documents for a product, application, service, or platform.

• Leads by example and mentors others to produce extensible and maintainable code used across products.

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, C++, C#.
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 6 + years of industry experience with either C , C++ or Rust.
• 5+ years of system software or operating system development experience.

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:

• 10 + years of software development experience.
• Experience with networking protocols and architecture.
• C oding, debugging, testing, and problem-solving skills.
• U nderstanding of systems software.
• Design and implementation skills using C, C++ or Rust.
• Understanding of operating systems

Software Engineering IC5 - 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 October 26, 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. 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.

#W+DJOBS

# Networking

#Network Security

#Operating Systems

#Systems Development

#VPN