Principal Software Engineer | Microsoft Careers

Microsoft

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: WA
Salary: $139,900–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 30 days ago
Closes: Nov 4, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $193k

This role $207k

$124k most similar roles pay here $291k

This role pays more than 58% of similar roles. Most pay $174,200–$211,775 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $207k versus about $193k 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 717 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 655 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineer | Microsoft Careers

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As a Principal Software Engineer on the Windows team, you will lead the development of cutting-edge tools and workflows that enhance developer productivity through AI integration. Your day-to-day responsibilities include defining the technical vision for Windows as a premier developer platform, designing intelligent code assistance features, and improving end-to-end developer journeys from setup to deployment. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to align on platform investments and mentor senior engineers while engaging with external communities to gather feedback and advocate for developer needs. The role requires expertise in C++ or C#, experience with Windows Subsystem for Linux, and a track record of delivering large-scale platform improvements. Your contributions will significantly impact the Windows ecosystem by fostering innovation and improving developer experiences at scale.

Skills

C++ C# Windows Subsystem for Linux AI/ML CI/CD Python PostgreSQL Kubernetes AWS GitHub Visual Studio Azure DevOps Docker Terraform

What you'll do

Define and drive the technical vision for Windows as a premier developer platform.
Lead design and implementation of AI-infused developer tools and intelligent code assistance.
Improve end-to-end developer experience, from setup to deployment, by removing friction points.
Drive architectural decisions and establish engineering best practices for large-scale components.
Mentor senior engineers and foster innovation within the team.
Represent the team externally at conferences and engage with open-source communities.
Incorporate developer feedback into platform strategy and advocate for their needs.

What we're looking for

10+ years of software engineering experience in systems or platform development.
Proven track record of delivering large-scale platform investments.
Strong expertise in C++, C#, or similar systems languages.
Experience building developer tools, SDKs, and enhancing workflows.
Hands-on experience with AI/ML and AI-assisted development.
Familiarity with Windows developer tools and frameworks.