Senior Software Engineer - C++

Overview

Join the Windows Cloud Experiences team and help build the core Windows client technologies that power secure, high-performance remote desktop experiences at global scale. As part of the Windows + Devices organization, we design and ship foundational Windows client components that integrate deeply with the OS, devices, and hardware-while connecting seamlessly to cloud-powered services.

This role is ideal for C++ engineers who enjoy working close to the operating system, care about performance and reliability, and want to build real-world features that millions of users depend on every day.

Responsibilities

Build Core Windows Client and Device Experiences

• Design and implement native Windows components in modern C++ with deep integration into Win32, COM, Windows services, and system APIs.

• Work on device redirection, input, display, audio/video, USB, HID, and peripheral integration used by remote desktop and virtualization scenarios.

• Develop and maintain cross-process, cross-thread, and performance-critical code paths where correctness, latency, and stability matter.

Systems-Level Engineering at Scale

• Diagnose and fix issues spanning kernel / user-mode boundaries, OS integration, drivers, services, and client applications.

• Optimize memory usage, threading models, IPC, and I/O in complex, long-running Windows client processes.

• Partner closely with Windows platform, security, and device teams to ensure robust and secure implementations.

End-to-End Ownership

• Participate in the full lifecycle: architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, and live-site debugging using telemetry, dumps, and traces.

• Contribute to engineering excellence through code reviews, design reviews, testability, and long-term maintainability.

• Drive iterative improvements in a fast-paced, agile environment with frequent releases.

Technologies You'll Work With

• C++ for native Windows application and driver development

• C#.Net and WinUI

• Win32, WinRT, COM, RPC, services, and system APIs

• Windows input, graphics, audio/video, networking, and device stacks

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.

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:

• 4+ years of professional development experience on Windows.
• Proficient experience in C or C++, with production-quality, shipped code.
• Experience building native Windows applications or system components.
• Deep knowledge of Win32, COM, Windows services, and system internals.
• Experience with device integration, low-level input, audio/video, USB, or driver-adjacent code.
• Experience debugging performance, memory, and concurrency issues in native codebases.
• Familiarity with remote desktop or virtualization technologies (e.g., RDP, ICA or similar protocols).
• Experience working close to the OS, including diagnostics with ETW, dumps, and debuggers.

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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:
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This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.