New

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft
$142,800.00 - $274,800.00 / yr
United States, Washington, Redmond
Aug 12, 2026
Overview Windows is no longer bound to a physical PC. Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop are redefining personal computing by making a complete, secure Windows experience available across devices and wherever work happens. Windows App brings that vision to life, serving millions of people each month as their gateway to Cloud PCs, virtual desktops, applications, and remote Windows experiences. We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer who will shape how this product comes together as a whole. Windows App depends on technologies and teams across Windows, Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Identity, Security, Management, Graphics/Media, and Networking. This engineer will establish a coherent technical vision, make architectural and product trade-offs clear, align teams around shared decisions, and drive the work across organizational boundaries until the complete experience reaches customers. This is a role for a product-minded engineering leader who combines technical depth with judgment, clarity, and relentless ownership. Their impact will not be measured by the volume of code they write, but by the quality of the decisions they enable, the engineering standard they establish, and their ability to turn broad ambition into a cohesive product worthy of Windows. At Microsoft, our mission-to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more-guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress-people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what's next for everyone. Responsibilities Partners with customers, product managers, designers, support teams, and Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop stakeholders to define priority Windows App scenarios and translate customer needs into clear engineering requirements and measurable experience outcomes. Leads the identification and alignment of dependencies across Windows App and partner teams, producing end-to-end designs that clarify architecture, interfaces, ownership, sequencing, quality requirements, and technical trade-offs. Establishes engineering excellence standards across approximately 80 developers and multiple teams, mentoring engineers and technical leaders to produce secure, extensible, maintainable code supported by effective reviews, test automation, and disciplined technical-debt management. Applies deep client-engineering and product expertise to drive coordinated execution, partnering with engineering and program leaders to connect architecture and dependencies to project plans, release criteria, milestones, and work items across teams. Serves as the engineering Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for critical Windows App initiatives and product health, driving issues from investigation through resolution and ensuring teams can detect, diagnose, mitigate, and prevent reliability, performance, and customer-experience regressions. Advances Windows App's engineering systems and practices, adopting modern tools and techniques for automated testing, performance measurement, regression detection, diagnostics, monitoring, observability, and release quality while driving consistent adoption across 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 Python OR 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 Qualifications Experience leading the engineering architecture, design and delivery of complex client applications or services across multiple engineering teams, including establishing engineering excellence practices for code quality, automated testing, performance, security, reliability, diagnostics, and release readiness. Experience designing and developing desktop and/or mobile application architectures. Demonstrated ability to create clarity from ambiguity and drive decisions across organizational boundaries, communicating technical and product trade-offs effectively with engineers, product leaders, and partner teams while influencing without direct authority. Passion for delivering exceptional end-user experiences, with demonstrated examples of driving customer-centric outcomes. #W+DJOBS Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $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.