Principal Software Engineering Manager

Microsoft

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $142,800–$274,800 / yr
Posted: 3 days ago
Closes: Dec 26, 2026
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $201k

This role $209k

$127k most similar roles pay here $291k

This role pays more than 56% of similar roles. Most pay $178,837–$223,750 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $209k versus about $201k 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 368 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 347 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Software Engineering Manager

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The Principal Software Engineering Manager role within the Microsoft Security organization involves leading a major Frontier Security Engineering sub-organization, overseeing multiple teams and managers across various customer tracks. This position entails setting technical standards for advanced security capabilities and ensuring high-quality engagement from end-to-end. The candidate will build and lead a team of engineering managers and principal engineers, managing hiring, talent development, and fostering an inclusive culture. Key responsibilities include driving the operating model's scale, partnering with executive leaders to enhance product robustness, and addressing technical challenges such as defects and governance gaps. Ideal candidates have over 12 years of software engineering experience, including extensive leadership in large-scale security or cloud domains, and a proven track record in executive stakeholder management.

Skills

Python C# .NET Azure Kubernetes Docker CI/CD GitHub SQL PostgreSQL Linux Windows Server DevOps Scrum Agile

What you'll do

Lead multiple engineering teams and managers across various customer tracks in Frontier Security Engineering.
Set technical standards for advanced security capabilities reaching customers and integrating back into products.
Develop and execute strategy for a multi-team organization, ensuring high-quality engagement outcomes.
Hire, level, and manage succession for a team of engineering managers and principal engineers.
Ensure quality control by addressing defects and governance gaps in product requirements.
Partner with executive leaders to drive strategic initiatives and customer engagements.

What we're looking for

Over 12 years of software engineering experience.
At least 6 years of experience managing managers and leaders.
Proven track record leading large engineering organizations in security, cloud, or AI.
Strong executive stakeholder management skills.
Experience in delivering production-level security solutions.
Ability to build and lead a high-trust, inclusive culture within the team.

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