Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $142,800–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 26 days ago
Closes: Nov 28, 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.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer

Role Posting Log in to save

As a principal engineer on Microsoft’s Edge Web Platform team, you will lead the development of core primitives for the web platform, focusing on advancing DOM, HTML, and emerging web APIs. Your responsibilities include driving high-quality API design through standards forums to enhance interoperability across browsers and contributing directly to Chromium projects that benefit multiple browser engines. You will collaborate with internal teams and external communities like WHATWG/W3C to deliver innovative features that improve browsing experiences for millions of users daily. This role requires deep expertise in browser architecture, particularly in DOM tree construction, eventing, and accessibility semantics, along with solid systems thinking and end-to-end ownership from prototyping to shipping. Proficiency in C++, Rust, or similar languages is essential, as well as experience with large-scale software engineering projects and the Chromium codebase.

Skills

C C++ Rust Chromium Web Standards DOM HTML CSS JavaScript CI/CD Git W3C WHATWG Browser Architecture Accessibility Semantics Eventing Form Controls Selection and Ranges

What you'll do

Drive high-quality API design for Microsoft Edge and Chromium-based browsers through standards forums.
Contribute directly to Chromium’s core components to enhance cross-browser compatibility.
Design and implement key browser engine features focusing on correctness, performance, and scalability.
Collaborate with the WHATWG/W3C community to advance web standards and interoperability.
Lead initiatives that improve browsing experience by shaping how web content is represented and interacted with.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience.
Proficient in programming languages such as C, C++, and Rust.
Experience contributing to large-scale software engineering projects.
Deep understanding of browser architecture and web standards.
Solid experience with the Chromium codebase and web standards development.
Strong design, coding, and debugging skills in C++.

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