Microsoft
Principal Software Engineer
$143K–$304K
Redmond, WA · On-site · Principal · Full-time · Posted Jul 23, 2026
- Experience
- 6+ years required; preferred alternatives: 8+ years with a Master's Degree, or 12+ years with a Bachelor's Degree; equivalent experience stated for both.
- Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field, or equivalent experience.
About the job
Leads the architecture, delivery, and operation of hyperscale storage and database capabilities that support Microsoft 365 data services and AI-powered experiences.
What you'll do
- Lead design and delivery of storage platform capabilities, distributed database initiatives, and platform modernization.
- Drive service reliability, performance, efficiency, and live-site operations through telemetry, analysis, resiliency work, and automation.
- Set technical direction across teams, establish standards for AI-enabled systems, and mentor engineers and technical leaders.
What they ask for
- 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#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check.
Nice to have
- Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience; OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience; OR equivalent experience.
- Expertise in distributed storage systems, databases, cloud infrastructure, AI-native services, and cross-organizational technical leadership.
Pay
USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year (base salary); USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year (base salary)
Tools
C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python
AI focus
Design AI-native systems and distributed storage architectures; use AI-assisted development across system design, implementation, testing, debugging, deployment, and operations, with secure, reliable, maintainable, and cost-efficient standards.
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative