Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer Manager

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Redmond, WA 98052In-Person
Enterprise Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field is required.
  • 6+ years of technical engineering experience in languages like C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python, or equivalent experience.
  • 4+ years of experience in a people management role is preferred.
  • 3+ years in delivering applications using Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform is desirable.
  • 8+ years of experience as a software engineer with a proven record of shipping successful software products is preferred.
  • 4+ years of experience in cloud development principles, particularly with micro-services and DevOps models are beneficial.
  • Experience with AI development tools like GitHub Copilot and Azure cloud services is advantageous.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and nurture a high-performing, diverse engineering team focused on AI-driven innovation.
  • Establish a unified vision and clear priorities for engineering teams to encourage cross-functional collaboration.
  • Define and share the team's technical and product strategy to align engineering efforts with customer needs and long-term goals.
  • Implement operational excellence through accountability, effective decision-making, and predictable delivery cycles.
  • Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and high ownership within the engineering team.
  • Drive the integration of AI-first development practices across the software lifecycle to enhance product quality.
  • Utilize customer insights to steer innovation and drive impactful improvements to the platform.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
  • A culture that emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and accountability.
  • Access to mentorship and career growth planning opportunities.
  • Potential for cross-functional collaboration across various teams.
  • Engagement in cutting-edge AI and technological advancements to improve community impact.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

  • Lead, inspire, and grow a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing engineering team, fostering an environment where individuals thrive and deliver their best work in an AI-driven world.


  • Drive clarity, alignment, and execution across engineering teams and partner organizations by establishing a shared vision, clear priorities, and strong cross-functional collaboration.


  • Define and communicate the technical and product strategy for the team, ensuring engineering investments align with customer needs, business outcomes, and long-term platform goals.


  • Create accountability and operational excellence through well-defined goals, effective decision-making frameworks, and execution rhythms that enable predictable, high-quality delivery.


  • Build a culture of ownership, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning by setting high standards, providing regular feedback, and investing in team growth and development.


  • Lead the adoption of AI-Native Engineering by embedding AI-first development practices, agentic workflows, and strong software engineering fundamentals across the software lifecycle to accelerate innovation, improve product quality, increase engineering productivity, and deliver greater customer impact.


  • Foster a customer-obsessed mindset by leveraging customer insights and developer feedback to drive innovation and deliver meaningful platform improvements.


  • Establish strong operational ownership through clear service accountability, live site excellence, proactive incident management, and continuous improvement practices.


  • Coach and develop engineers and leaders through mentorship, career growth planning, and a growth mindset culture that enables both individual and team success.


  • Anticipate risks, dependencies, and execution challenges, proactively removing blockers and driving cross-team alignment to ensure successful delivery against commitments.


  • Attract, retain, and develop top engineering talent while building organizational capability and leadership depth within the team.


  • Lead by example through hands-on technical engagement, architectural guidance, and sound engineering judgment while empowering teams to own execution and innovation.


  • Embody Microsoft's culture and values by fostering trust, inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning across the organization.


Qualifications

Required/minimum 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 Qualifications

Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of U.S citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local United States government agency customers and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, citizenship will be verified via a valid passport.

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
  • 4+ years of experience as a people manager.


  • 3+ Experience in delivering applications with Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform, especially Power Apps, Power Automate, and familiarity with PowerFX and component design.


  • 8+ years of experience as a software engineer building commercial software and proven track record of shipping successful software products & services.


  • 4+ years of experience in cloud development principles and patterns, particularly loosely coupled architectures and micro-services, DevOps model.


  • Demonstrated ability to harness next-generation AI development tools like GitHub Copilot, Copilot CLI/SDK, Claude CLI, or equivalents to transform the SDLC by building agents, plugins, skills, and MCP servers that drive automation and engineering excellence at scale.


  • Technical experience and knowledge in Enterprise-scale cloud infrastructure, architecture designs & proficiency in Azure PaaS services and cloud-native platforms, including:


  • App Platform & Compute: Web Apps, Function Apps, AKS, Azure Container Apps.


  • Data & Databases: Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Synapse, and NoSQL databases.


Software Engineering M5 - 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.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

Microsoft Careers

Join Microsoft today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity in its workforce. As a global leader in technology and digital transformation, Microsoft offers unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career to new heights.

Explore Career Opportunities at Microsoft

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a recent graduate eager to start your career, Microsoft has a position that suits your skills and ambitions. We are committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is supported in expanding their horizons.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Microsoft internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities in a supportive and dynamic environment. You'll work on real projects, learn from industry leaders, and gain the skills necessary for a successful career in technology.

Employment Benefits

Choosing a career at Microsoft means more than just a job. Our employees enjoy a range of benefits designed to empower them both professionally and personally. These include comprehensive health benefits, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement through professional development and diversity training.

Inclusive Culture and Diversity

At Microsoft, we believe that innovation comes from diversity of thought and inclusion. We are committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued and inspired. Our leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives lead to breakthrough innovations and a competitive edge.

Grow with Us

Career growth at Microsoft is about more than climbing the corporate ladder; it's about continuous learning, expanding your skills, and improving your capabilities. With access to various leadership and training programs, you can evolve as a professional and make a significant impact within the company and on the global stage.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to identify true potential. Starting with a review of your resume, followed by interviews that assess your problem-solving abilities and cultural fit, we ensure that all candidates have a fair chance to demonstrate their strengths and potential to contribute to our team.

Networking and Professional Development

Microsoft is a place where you can build a professional network that spans the globe. Our employees benefit from connections with top-tier professionals and industry leaders, which opens doors to innovative projects and collaborative opportunities that are second to none.

Join Our Team

If you're ready to take on exciting challenges and make a difference in the world of technology, explore the job opportunities at Microsoft. Search for open positions that match your skills and interests, and prepare to embark on a rewarding career path filled with innovation and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

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At Microsoft, your future is limitless. Join us in our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Your journey with Microsoft starts here.
Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ
MSFT
* Ladders Estimates

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