Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Confirmed live today High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $142,800–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 5 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Closes: Apr 19, 2027
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $195k

This role $209k

$127k $291k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 68% of similar roles. Most pay $169,550–$220,800 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $209k versus about $195k 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 694 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 651 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer

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The Principal Software Engineer joins the AI Transformation team to build AI-native operating models and reusable solutions that redefine internal workflows. You will work within small, multidisciplinary teams to move from prototype to production, developing reliable applications, agents, integrations, and workflows that deliver measurable operational impact. Your core responsibilities include leading architecture design, mentoring engineers, overseeing testing strategies, and managing live service reliability as a Designated Responsible Individual. You will leverage coding languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python to produce maintainable code. The role focuses on solving complex business transformation problems by integrating AI agents and systems into end-to-end workflows, ensuring all solutions meet strict security, compliance, and performance requirements while utilizing telemetry data for continuous improvement and data-driven engineering decisions.

What does a Software Engineer earn in Washington?

Median $202800 from 409 postings across 38 companies.

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Skills

Python C# Java C++ JavaScript C AI Agentic Coding Telemetry Data Analytics Debugging Security Compliance SLA

What you'll do

Partner with stakeholders to determine user requirements and incorporate feedback into future designs.
Lead the architecture and design of products, ensuring they meet security and compliance requirements.
Develop extensible, maintainable code and mentor others on coding patterns, debugging, and validation strategies.
Break down long-term project visions into milestones and lead the implementation of deployment frameworks.
Maintain live services on a rotational basis and serve as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) for incidents.
Integrate telemetry and data analytics to monitor system performance, reliability, and usage patterns.
Create and maintain automated testing mechanisms to ensure high-quality, scalable, and reliable software solutions.
Coordinate with cross-team partners to resolve technical blockers and align on product goals.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related technical discipline.
6+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
10+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python (preferred).
Master's degree in computer science or a related technical field with 8+ years of technical engineering experience (preferred).
Experience leading software design, architecture, and engineering for large-scale, reliable applications.
Proficiency in developing, debugging, and refactoring extensible and maintainable code using telemetry and logs.
Experience leading cross-team communications and resolving technical conflicts to manage dependencies and integrations.
Ability to maintain live services on a rotational, on-call basis as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI).

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