Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft$139K — $274K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
  • 4+ years of design and problem-solving experience with system performance and scalability.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and architecture of features in the Analysis Services engine and its integration with Power BI.
  • Drive end-to-end project execution, including technical planning, coordination, delivery, and quality assurance.
  • Collaborate with product management and partner teams to align technical direction with business goals.
  • Mentor and guide engineers to foster technical growth and a culture of excellence.
  • Contribute to the evolution of a cloud-scale analytics platform focusing on performance and reliability.
  • Champion engineering best practices, participating in reviews and technical deep dives.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness programs.
  • Flexible work arrangements including remote work.
  • Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
  • Access to a vast network of global employees and collaborative teams.
  • Generous vacation and paid time-off policies.
Full Job Description
Microsoft is a company where passionate innovators come to collaborate, envision what can be and take their careers further. This is a world of more possibilities, more innovation, more openness, and ambitious engineering ideas in a cloud-enabled world.

Microsoft's Azure Data engineering team is leading the transformation of analytics in the world of data with products like databases, data integration, big data analytics, messaging & real-time analytics, and business intelligence. The products in our portfolio include Microsoft Fabric, Azure SQL DB, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure PostgreSQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Service Bus, Azure Event Grid, and Power BI. Our mission is to build the data platform for the age of AI, powering a new class of data-first applications and driving a data culture.

Within Azure Data, the business intelligence team builds the Power BI platform which is the undisputed leader in BI tool in the industry today and serves as the bridge between data professionals & Office users. Power BI's core value proposition is to enable end users to get answers & insights from their data through data visualization.

We are the Analysis Services (AS) Engine team, the core data processing engine powering Power BI and other Microsoft BI systems. Our engine is central to delivering fast, scalable, and intelligent analytics experiences across Microsoft's data platform.

As the adoption of Power BI continues to grow, the AS engine is evolving to meet new performance, scalability, and integration demands. Our team is responsible for both the engine itself and the components that integrate it into cloud-scale services.

We're a collaborative, high-impact team where engineers have the opportunity to work across the full stack - from engine internals and query processing to service infrastructure, cloud scalability, and reliability. We foster a culture of transparency, continuous feedback, and shared ownership. If you're passionate about building world-class analytics systems and thrive in a supportive, fast-paced environment, we'd love to meet you.

We do not just value differences or different perspectives. We seek them out and invite them in so we can tap into the collective power of everyone in the company. As a result, our customers are better served.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design and architecture of key features in the Analysis Services (AS) engine and its integration with Power BI and Azure Analysis Services.
  • Drive end-to-end project execution-from technical planning and cross-team coordination to delivery and quality assurance.
  • Collaborate closely with product management and partner teams to align technical direction with business goals.
  • Mentor and guide engineers across the team, fostering technical growth and a culture of excellence.
  • Contribute to the evolution of our cloud-scale analytics platform, with a focus on performance, scalability, and reliability.
  • Champion engineering best practices, including code quality, testing, observability, and operational readiness and actively participate in design reviews, code reviews, and technical deep dives across the stack.
Embody our culture and values

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.
  • 4+ years of design and problem-solving experience, with a deep understanding of system performance, scalability, and engineering best practices.
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/Additional Qualifications
  • Deep understanding of distributed systems, including high-performance storage, distributed databases, and networking across global-scale infrastructures.
  • Experience with database internals such as indexing(e.g., B+ trees), query optimization, and execution engines.
  • Familiarity with compiler internals or query compilers (e.g., MySQL/PostgreSQL, C++, .NET) and their application in large-scale data systems.
  • Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives that span multiple teams and disciplines.
  • Track record of delivering scalable, reliable, and performant systems in production environments.
  • Curiosity-driven mindset with a willingness to challenge assumptions and explore new ideas.
  • Customer-obsessed approach to problem solving, with empathy and a drive to deliver impactful solutions.
  • Demonstrated experience in building high-quality, reliable systems at scale.
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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until July 30, 2025.

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.

#azdat

#azuredata

#powerbi

#databases

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.

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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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Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ

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