This role pays more than
62%
of similar roles. Most pay
$176,675–$231,462
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$204k
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
658 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 642 roles with salary data.
As a Principal Software Engineer-M365 Copilot within the Copilot and Agents Core Office of the CTO, you will architect and lead the development of Large Language Models and supporting subsystems for generative AI capabilities across Microsoft 365. You will serve as a technical leader and domain expert, designing complex backend, data, and ML systems that meet security and scalability requirements while mentoring engineers to raise technical standards. Your daily work involves defining engineering quality strategies, creating internal tools to accelerate developer velocity, and collaborating with product managers and applied scientists to translate vision into actionable milestones. You will utilize programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python to build intelligent services. The role focuses on the core challenge of building high-quality, contextually aware AI features for a wide range of users.
What does a Software Engineer earn?
Median $198163 from 2151 postings across 141 companies.
Architect and lead the development of LLMs and supporting subsystems for Microsoft 365 features.
Design complex backend, data, and ML systems that meet security, scalability, and reliability requirements.
Define engineering quality strategies including metrics, standard practices, and reusable design patterns.
Partner with cross-functional teams to align on requirements and deliver high-impact AI features.
Create and improve internal tools and frameworks to accelerate developer velocity and automation.
Mentor engineers through code reviews and technical guidance to raise the bar for engineering excellence.
Translate high-level product visions into actionable milestones, estimates, and development plans.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field.
6+ years of technical engineering experience coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python (or equivalent experience).
Ability to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check.
6+ years experience designing, implementing, and operating large-scale, distributed backend, data-intensive, or ML-driven systems in production (preferred).
5+ years’ experience developing and deploying AI/ML or GenAI products from ideation to shipping (preferred).
Demonstrated ability to set technical direction, influence architecture, and mentor engineers in fast-paced environments (preferred).
Experience with Azure platforms, CI/CD, containerization, microservices, and SOTA AI tooling (preferred).
Experience defining engineering metrics and using tools to accelerate developer velocity (preferred).