Principal Software Engineer

The Microsoft Windows & Devices (W+D) team is on a journey to deliver iconic experiences across hardware, software, and services that people love and use every day. A core part of the W+D strategy is delivering devices with excellent Fundamentals and delightful AI experiences that blend the power of the Edge with the scale of the cloud. 

We are seeking a self-driven Principal Software Engineer to help shape the next wave of AI innovations on Windows devices. As we pursue key advances in the areas of AI, silicon and software, we remain laser-focused on establishing Fundamentals as a delighter for the Copilot+ PC brand.  If you love the pursuit of excellence and are inspired by the challenge of driving innovations that impact how the world lives, works and plays, then we invite you to an exciting opportunity to innovate, influence, transform, inspire and grow within the W+D Silicon and Fundamentals Team. 

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

As a Principal Software Engineer in the Windows Silicon and Fundamentals team, you will mentor engineers and architects, helping them deepen their technical expertise and communication skills. You will work closely with organizational leaders and collaborate with a global network of architects across disciplines, driving alignment and innovation across Windows platforms. 

In this role, you will shape the business and technical vision by defining the “architectural how” for building scalable, reliable systems with strong fundamentals—optimizing for performance, power efficiency, and engineering rigor. 

Key Responsibilities include: 

• Define and evolve architectural strategies for AI workloads and silicon integration in Windows. 
• Lead initiatives to enhance performance, power efficiency, and reliability across diverse hardware.
• Mentor engineers and architects, fostering technical depth and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with global teams and hardware partners to align platform goals and co-engineering efforts. 
• Drive architectural reviews and contribute to long-term planning for scalable infrastructure and lab capabilities.
• Champion engineering excellence through rigorous design, profiling, and validation practices. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 15+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
• Experience collaborating/ability to collaborate with teams across different time zones and geographies.
• Understanding of the Windows operating system and OS architecture.
• Solid problem solving and debugging skills for modern-day multiprocessor systems (able to write/debug code, use debuggers and diagnostics tools).
• Leverage performance profiling and log analysis to understand system behavior.
• Experience designing secure and scalable services on Azure or other cloud technologies.
• Ability to resolve ambiguities effectively, prioritize and drive projects to completion, prioritize between multiple needs and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Deliver clear written communication of technical designs and solutions.
• Experience with AI models and tools.
• OR equivalent experience.

#W+Djobs

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.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.