Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Confirmed live today High trust

Hybrid

Quick summary

Work type: Hybrid
Location: —
Salary: $142,800–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 3 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Closes: Apr 21, 2027

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

View all roles at Microsoft

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer

Role Posting Log in to save

The Microsoft Azure team is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the development, debugging, and validation of next-generation firmware solutions for Microsoft AI accelerators and cloud silicon platforms. In this role, you will architect and develop silicon firmware libraries for Compute Domains and Accelerator Network Controllers. You will drive firmware strategy across multiple silicon programs, lead first-silicon bring-up activities, and perform root-cause analysis for hardware and performance issues. The position requires proficiency in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python, along with experience in SoC architecture, hardware/software co-design, and platform initialization. You will utilize tools such as JTAG, Lauterbach TRACE32, and emulation platforms like Zebu or Palladium to solve complex problems in high-performance compute subsystems and network controllers.

What does a Software Engineer earn?

Median $197400 from 2576 postings across 150 companies.

See salary data

Skills

C C++ Python Java JavaScript C# Firmware SoC Architecture Silicon Bring-up Hardware/Software Co-design JTAG Lauterbach TRACE32 FPGA Emulation Zebu HAPS Palladium Veloce ARM RISC Boot loader

What you'll do

Define and drive firmware architecture for ANC, Compute, and SoC infrastructure subsystems.
Develop silicon firmware libraries in C/C++ for Compute engines, ANC subsystems, and DMA engines.
Lead first-silicon bring-up activities and drive root-cause analysis for firmware and hardware issues.
Develop scalable and maintainable firmware frameworks and APIs.
Influence microarchitecture decisions by working closely with silicon architects during design phases.
Define firmware verification requirements and comprehensive test plans.
Establish engineering best practices, coding standards, and architectural review processes.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
6+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
Ability to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check.
12–15+ years of experience in firmware, embedded systems, or SoC development (preferred).
Experience as a technical lead for complex silicon or firmware programs (preferred).
Experience in CPU and accelerator architecture, ARM/RISC architectures, and On Chip Interconnect (preferred).
Experience in silicon bring-up using JTAG, Lauterbach TRACE32, and other debug tools (preferred).
Experience with AI accelerator silicon, confidential computing, or security firmware (preferred).

Similar roles

Firmware Engineer

Microsoft

12 days ago $102,100–$202,200

Firmware Engineering C C++ Python SoC Silicon Bring-up JTAG Lauterbach TRACE32 FPGA ZeBu HAPS Palladium Veloce Hardware/Software Co-design Bootloader RAS High Bandwidth Memory pre -silicon simulation Emulation

2+ yrs exp Hybrid

Save

Principal Firmware Development Engineer

Microsoft

3 days ago $142,800–$274,800

SystemC TLM-2.0 C++ Firmware SoC PCIe UEFI Windows Boot Virtual Platforms Emulation FPGA ZeBu HAPS Helium Palladium Protium Synopsys Virtualizer Arm Fast Models Pre-silicon Development Root-cause Analysis

8+ yrs exp Hybrid

Save

Senior Firmware Engineer

Microsoft

4 days ago $119,800–$234,700

SoC Architecture Firmware Development Silicon Design Bring-Up JTAG Arm TrustZone x86 Arm FPGA ZeBu Palladium Lauterbach TRACE32 Arm Development Studio Linux Windows Driver Development RTL Pre-silicon Validation Post-silicon Validation ATE

5+ yrs exp Hybrid

Save