Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $142,800–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 50 days ago
Closes: Nov 4, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $177k

This role $209k

$124k most similar roles pay here $291k

This role pays more than 79% of similar roles. Most pay $145,343–$208,800 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $209k versus about $177k for comparable roles.

Based on 239 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 622 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 559 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at Microsoft

At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer

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As a Senior Developer Platform Strategist on the Windows team, you will define and drive the technical vision for Windows as a premier developer platform, focusing on seamless development workflows through AI-powered tools and intelligent code assistance. Your day-to-day responsibilities include leading the design of smart build/test pipelines, debugging features, and improving overall developer experience from setup to deployment. You will work with C++, C#, or similar languages, and have hands-on experience with Windows Subsystem for Linux and AI/ML technologies. This role requires a deep understanding of large-scale platform components and engineering best practices, as well as the ability to mentor senior engineers and engage with external developer communities to incorporate feedback into strategic initiatives.

Skills

C++ C# Windows Subsystem for Linux AI/ML CI/CD Python Docker Kubernetes AWS GitHub Visual Studio PostgreSQL Redis Git Jenkins Terraform Ansible Prometheus Grafana

What you'll do

Define and drive the technical vision for Windows as a premier developer platform.
Design and implement AI-infused developer tools to enhance code assistance and diagnostics.
Improve the end-to-end developer experience from setup through deployment, reducing friction.
Drive architectural decisions and establish engineering best practices for large-scale components.
Represent the team externally at conferences and in open-source communities to engage developers.
Mentor senior engineers and foster a culture of innovation within the organization.

What we're looking for

10+ years of software engineering experience in systems or platform development.
Proven track record of leading large-scale technical initiatives and delivering platforms.
Expertise in C++, C#, or similar systems programming languages.
Experience building developer tools, SDKs, and enhancing developer workflows.
Hands-on knowledge with AI/ML technologies for developer productivity improvements.
Familiarity with Windows developer tools, frameworks, and cross-platform tooling.
Strong background in improving system performance, reliability, and diagnosability.

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