Principal Software Engineer Lead, Gameplay Systems

Microsoft

Confirmed live 2 days ago High trust

Hybrid

Quick summary

Work type: Hybrid
Location: —
Salary: $142,800–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 8 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Closes: Mar 16, 2027

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $211k

This role $209k

$127k most similar roles pay here $291k

This role pays more than 55% of similar roles. Most pay $187,000–$235,750 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $209k versus about $211k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is a global technology leader producing software, hardware, and cloud services including Windows, Office 365, Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming, and Surface devices. Industry: Software & Cloud Computing

Microsoft currently has 644 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 624 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer Lead, Gameplay Systems

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As a Principal Software Engineer Lead, Gameplay Systems - Minecraft, you will join the Gameplay Systems team to drive innovation through a group of software engineers. You will be accountable for the technical direction, architecture, and delivery of core gameplay systems while supporting your team in evaluating requirements, designing solutions, estimating development, and integrating high-quality features into products. Your role involves owning technical strategy, promoting engineering practices, and coaching engineers to produce maintainable code. You will collaborate with product managers, designers, and quality teams across multiple locations. The role requires proficiency in C++, Java, or JavaScript, along with experience in game or entertainment technologies. You will specifically work on the platform that empowers content creators to deliver diverse gaming experiences for Minecraft players across various platforms.

Skills

C++ Java JavaScript Debugging Engineering Practices Native Applications

What you'll do

Define technical strategy and architecture for core gameplay systems.
Lead the development of platforms that empower content creators to build Minecraft experiences.
Mentor and coach engineers to design elegant, maintainable, and high-quality code.
Manage team growth by nurturing individual careers and fostering a healthy culture.
Communicate technical decisions and trade-offs clearly across different disciplines.
Partner with Product Managers and stakeholders to ensure alignment on project goals.
Oversee the estimation of development tasks and the integration of new features.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
6+ years of technical engineering experience coding in languages such as C++, Java, or JavaScript.
4+ years of experience developing game/entertainment technologies or native applications (preferred).
3+ years of people management experience (preferred).
Proficiency in design, programming, and debugging with the ability to lead others through solid engineering practices (preferred).
Strong communication and teamwork skills with an eagerness to reach goals in a collaborative manner (preferred).

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