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Job Details
Posted date: Jan 30, 2026
There have been 2434 jobs posted with the title of Principal Software Engineer all time at Microsoft.There have been 2434 Principal Software Engineer jobs posted in the last month.
Category: Software Engineering
Location: Multiple Locations, Multiple Locations
Estimated salary: $222,050
Range: $139,900 - $304,200
Employment type: Full-Time
Work location type: 0 days / week in-office – remote
Role: Individual Contributor
Description
OverviewIn Base Operating System (Base OS), the team is responsible for the operating systems that power Azure, Microsoft’s Linux operating system (OS), the platforms for Windows Client and Xbox, and the Windows Server ecosystem. Through these technologies, the team supports all Microsoft cloud businesses and billions of customers worldwide. In an era of ubiquitous computing, excellence in systems software is essential. High‑quality, high‑efficiency operating systems and platform components are foundational to improving system reliability, increasing competitiveness by reducing Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), and delivering new features and capabilities that enhance customer experiences.
The team works across the lowest layers of the Windows operating system (OS), contributing to silicon enablement technologies such as operating system power management, device enumeration, resource arbitration, and management of core system resources including timers and interrupt controllers. Team members have opportunities to work on products and features that highlight the strengths of Windows and Microsoft technologies. Positioned at the intersection of hardware platforms and system software, the team offers significant opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
The team partners with a wide range of dependent groups across Windows, Microsoft, and the broader industry, enabling collaboration with diverse individuals and technical domains. For systems developers, the team provides a unique environment to work on foundational technologies that influence the performance, reliability, and capabilities of Microsoft platforms.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and maintain features across a variety of hardware, ranging from Azure to IoT(Internet of things), which will be leveraged by the rest of the OS or platform firmware.  You will have the opportunity to develop strong design skills as you drive innovation in the hardware platform. You will work closely with internal and external partners to ensure that software abstractions are flexible while remaining simple.You will improve and monitor telemetry to assess the health of the product in both pre-release as well as released software, using this data to drive improvements into the quality of the product.Excellent communication and cross group collaboration skills will be needed to find solutions that are favorable to multiple teams.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or PythonOR equivalent experience.
Other Requirements
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
Preferred QualificationsMaster's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or PythonOR Bachelor's Degree 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 PythonOR equivalent experience.4+ years of industry experience with multithreaded programming, operating systems and/or firmware.4+ years of experience in hardware architecture internals.4+ years of experience with hardware and software debugging.4+ years of experience demonstrating strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.4+ years of experience demonstrating strong technical curiosity and the aptitude to learn low-level system and platform details.
#azurecorejobs
Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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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