Microsoft Principal Research Software Engineer

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Job Details

Posted date: Jan 23, 2026

There have been 8 jobs posted with the title of Principal Research Software Engineer all time at Microsoft.

Category: Software Engineering

Location: Redmond, WA

Estimated salary: $247,100
Range: $163,000 - $331,200

Employment type: Full-Time

Work location type: 3 days / week in-office

Role: Individual Contributor


Description

Overview

Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization working to create scientific knowledge and deliver innovation that leads to positive human impact at scale. To envision and build the future, we work with our scientific, engineering, academic and business partners to use Machine Learning and AI to impact economics, health and society.

The Microsoft Research Americas Engineering team supports several MSR labs (Redmond, New England, New York City, and Montreal) and seeks an innovative and experienced Engineering Leader and IC to drive and contribute to a variety of research projects in various stages of research and productization. You will collaborate with other engineers, researchers, and product teams to create innovative vision for high-impact and high-scale reach across all of Microsoft’s portfolio, from core models, health, social and economics, coding and development, vision and graphics, systems and networks, and more. You will also be able to shape our engineering culture, strategy, and execution, as well as modernize AI engineering practices all in support of accelerating our collective impact across Microsoft Research Americas, Microsoft and beyond.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we’re dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Join us and help shape the future of the world.

#Research

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with MSR Americas engineering leadership to define and execute on a cohesive engineering vision. Navigate ambiguity in a dynamic research environment, using tangible intermediate milestones to realize long-term vision.IC Development: Partner with teams to design, develop and implement MSR’s larger project investments, with a goal of transitioning MSR concepts to product, focusing across the MSR portfolio.Cross-Project Collaboration: Seek connections between MSR projects, design and develop “better together” systems, architectures, and implementations that align key research in support of facilitating new research as well as product transfers.Engineering Excellence: Establish best practices in processes to ensure quality engineering with high degree of security, privacy, safety, and accessibility across our highest impact projects.Cross-Organization Orchestration: Build strong partnerships across MSR labs and with product teams to align engineering efforts with research priorities and Microsoft’s broader innovation agenda and engineering best practices.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 10+ years technical engineering experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.

Preferred:

Master's Degree and/or Ph.d in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 14+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.Demonstrated experience on an engineering team within a research or innovation setting, with responsibilities spanning prototypes to production.Experience with Microsoft AI stack, including but not limited to Azure/AI Platform and Copilot based experiences and tools.Proven track record shipping AI products at scale Proven track record on v1 and early-stage product development.5+ years technical leadership experience, defining milestones and helping an engineering team execute on their deliverables

This role will be based in Redmond, WA and will need to adhere to the 3+ days in the office RTO policy.

Software Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $163,000 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $220,800 - $331,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.



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