Principal Software Engineer - Windows Remote Desktop

Overview

Join the Windows Cloud Experiences team and be at the forefront of redefining how people connect to their Windows environments, anytime, anywhere, from any device. We're building the next-generation remote desktop experience for the web, and we're looking for bold, creative engineers to help us push the boundaries of what's possible.
As part of the Windows + Devices organization, our team thrives on innovation, fast iteration, and a deep commitment to delivering delightful, high-performance solutions to millions of users. We're a collaborative, high-energy group that values curiosity, craftsmanship, and a growth mindset.

We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer who's excited to explore new technologies, write elegant and robust code, and drive engineering excellence across the stack. In this role, you'll contribute to rapid, iterative releases and have the opportunity to innovate across multiple areas of our product, from protocol handling and graphics rendering to authentication and telemetry.

About the Product:

• Drive the Future of Remote Work: Join a team at the forefront of delivering seamless, secure, and high-performance remote desktop experiences directly in the browser, empowering users to access Windows desktops and apps from anywhere, on any device.
• Cloud-Powered Windows Experiences: Contribute to the next generation of cloud-integrated Windows solutions, leveraging Azure and Microsoft 365 to enable scalable, resilient, and enterprise-grade remote desktop services.
• Cutting-Edge Web Technologies: Work with a modern tech stack including C++, JavaScript/TypeScript, and React, while developing deep expertise in browser APIs and cross-browser compatibility (Chromium, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
• Protocol and Graphics Innovation: Engineer solutions that require a strong understanding of RDP internals, graphics PDUs, and virtual channels, optimizing for low latency and high fidelity in remote rendering scenarios.
• End-to-End Product Ownership: Collaborate across architecture, development, deployment, and Live Site operations, ensuring robust telemetry, proactive monitoring, and rapid incident response for a global user base.
• Agile and Impactful Delivery: Operate in a fast-paced, iterative environment with short release cycles, where innovation and customer impact are prioritized, and every engineer has the opportunity to shape product direction.
• Expanding Product Roadmap: Be part of a team with a rich and evolving roadmap, expanding the scope of remote desktop capabilities across devices, platforms, and enterprise scenarios.
• Customer-Centric Engineering: Leverage data-driven insights and direct customer feedback to continuously improve usability, reliability, and security, making remote work frictionless for millions of users.
• Collaborative and Inclusive Culture: Thrive in a team that values growth mindset, diversity, and collaboration, where your ideas and expertise help define the future of remote desktop technology at Microsoft.

Learn:
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At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We foster a culture of respect, integrity, and accountability, where inclusion and collaboration fuel innovation, and where your work can have real, global impact.

Responsibilities

• Define and Drive Strategy: Set long-term technical direction and influence cross-team architecture for web-based remote desktop experiences.
• Deliver Cross-Org Impact: Build scalable solutions that benefit multiple organizations and align with Microsoft's broader ecosystem.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Partner with engineers, PMs, and designers to solve complex technical challenges and deliver seamless, secure, high-performance solutions.
• Mentor and Inspire: Share knowledge, coach engineers, and foster a culture of technical excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Architect for Scale and Security: Design and implement secure, performant, and maintainable solutions compatible with major browsers.
• Champion Modern Practices: Apply agile methodologies and DevOps principles to enable rapid releases, proactive Live Site monitoring, and operational excellence.
• Innovate Through Experimentation: Rapidly prototype new features and improvements using telemetry and customer feedback to guide decisions.
• Ensure Compliance and Quality: Uphold security, privacy, and accessibility standards across all deliverables.
• Embody our culture and values.

Technologies We Use

• Programming Languages: C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, React
• Remote Desktop Protocols: RDP internals, graphics PDUs, virtual channels
• Web Technologies: Deep knowledge of browser APIs (Chromium, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Cloud & DevOps: Azure, Microsoft 365, CI/CD pipelines, Live Site engineering
• Monitoring & Telemetry: End-to-end telemetry pipelines, live site monitors, automated alerting systems
• Agile Tools: Short, frequent release cycles, rapid prototyping, and customer-driven iteration

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field AND 6+ years of technical engineering experience in languages like C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Experience with web technologies and browser APIs.
• 5+ years of full-stack product engineering for customer-facing products.

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:

• Hands-on experience with remote desktop protocols (RDP), graphics PDUs, or virtual channels.
• Exposure to live site engineering practices, telemetry pipelines, and monitoring systems.
• Ability to work across the stack and contribute to both frontend (React, TypeScript) and backend (C++, services) components.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a growth mindset with a willingness to learn and mentor others.
• Experience working in agile teams with short, iterative release cycles and a DevOps culture.

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:


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.