This role pays more than
62%
of similar roles. Most pay
$169,550–$221,537
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$196k
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
598 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 586 roles with salary data.
Principal Software Engineer - Windows App and Windows Platform joins the Windows Cloud Experiences team to build the unified client for connecting to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and remote PCs. This role involves defining long-term architecture and technical strategy for the native Windows platform while leading the design of high-impact scenarios involving connection setup, session lifecycle, authentication, and OS integration. The engineer will solve complex challenges in networking, performance, reliability, and security across multi-process systems. Key technologies include modern C++, C#, Win32, WinRT, COM, and Windows services. Candidates must navigate intricate problems regarding concurrency, memory, and latency while mentoring other technical leaders. The role focuses on creating secure, responsive remote experiences by integrating native Windows capabilities with cloud-powered services across various devices and form factors to ensure seamless functionality for end users.
What does a Software Engineer earn in Washington?
Median $202800 from 326 postings across 28 companies.
Define and drive long-term architecture and technical strategy for Windows App using C++, C#, and Win32 APIs.
Lead the design of high-impact features including connection setup, session lifecycle, authentication, and OS integration.
Architect secure, scalable systems across processes, threads, services, and cloud-backed experiences.
Resolve complex engineering issues involving concurrency, memory, networking, and latency using debuggers and telemetry.
Drive multi-team execution from initial design through implementation, validation, and live-site operation.
Establish engineering standards for performance, reliability, accessibility, security, and long-term maintainability.
Mentor senior engineers and provide guidance on architecture reviews and technical leadership.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience in languages like C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
Ability to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check.
Deep expertise in Windows systems technologies including Win32, WinRT, COM, RPC, and core Windows APIs (preferred).
Expertise in remote desktop, virtualization, or virtual desktop infrastructure technologies such as RDP, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Citrix (preferred).
Experience setting architecture for networking, authentication, and identity in Windows clients using Microsoft Entra ID, MSAL, or Web Account Manager (preferred).
Experience leading the design and debugging of multi-process, multi-threaded, performance-critical native systems (preferred).
Experience influencing the architecture of Windows App SDK, WinUI, XAML, WebView2, MSIX, or related technologies (preferred).
Experience building secure, accessible client software at enterprise scale using telemetry and live-site insights (preferred).
C++
C#
Win32
WinRT
COM
Windows Services
Microsoft Entra ID
MSAL
Web Account Manager
Windows App SDK
WinUI
XAML
WebView2
MSIX
Python
Java
JavaScript
RPC
Telemetry
C
C++
C#
Java
JavaScript
Python
Azure Virtual Desktop
Windows 365
client-engineering
Test Automation
Performance Measurement
Observability
Monitoring
Diagnostics
Dynamics 365
Azure
Python
C#
Java
JavaScript
C++
C
CI/CD
GitHub Copilot
Claude
WebSockets
gRPC
Azure Service Fabric
Distributed Systems
Generative AI
Telemetry
Windows OS
C
C++
C#
Python
Kernel
ARM Architecture
SoC
Hypervisor
UEFI
ACPI
BIOS
Power Management
Security
DevOps
System Architecture
Firmware
BSP
WHQL Certification