This role pays more than
64%
of similar roles. Most pay
$169,550–$233,575
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$202k
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
518 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 505 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 improve code quality. Your daily work involves partnering with research teams and stakeholders to translate vision into actionable milestones and building internal tools to accelerate developer velocity. The role requires proficiency in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python, alongside experience with Azure platforms, CI/CD, containerization, and microservices. You will solve complex technical problems by developing high-quality systems for intelligent, contextual assistance across the Microsoft 365 product suite.
What does a Software Engineer earn?
Median $195000 from 1914 postings across 140 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 product vision into actionable milestones, estimates, and development plans.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field and 6+ years of engineering experience in languages like C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python (or equivalent).
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).
Proven ability to drive cross-team engineering initiatives while balancing hands-on contributions with strategic leadership (preferred).
Experience architecting large-scale distributed systems, data platforms, or ML pipelines in production (preferred).
Experience with Azure, CI/CD, containerization, microservices, and SOTA AI tooling (preferred).