Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft$142K — $274K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, plus 6+ years of engineering experience in programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
  • 10+ years of experience designing and building cryptographic systems, with knowledge of cryptographic primitives and protocols.
  • 15+ years of hands-on experience in security and systems programming, applying security principles like threat modeling and secure design.
  • Expert-level coding expertise in C/C++ with strong problem-solving and engineering skills.
  • Experience in building and operating cloud-scale distributed services.
  • Familiarity with Linux and open-source software technologies.
  • Knowledge of Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) like Intel SGX or AMD SEV.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the architecture and technical strategy for Azure Key Management services.
  • Drive the design and implementation process for secure hardware and networking boundaries.
  • Enhance post-quantum cryptography readiness through service architecture development.
  • Collaborate with Azure, Microsoft Security, and HSM vendors to deliver integrated platform solutions.
  • Boost platform availability and resiliency via focused engineering practices.
  • Offer mentorship and architectural guidance to elevate the system's quality and maintainability.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan with company matching contribution.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday policies.
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
  • Access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities
  • Lead architecture and technical strategy for Azure Key Management, including scalable, secure, and reliable services for external customers and internal Azure services.
  • Drive end-to-end design, hands-on implementation, coding quality, and operational readiness across control plane, data plane, secure hardware, and networking boundaries.
  • Advance post-quantum cryptography readiness by shaping service architecture, integration patterns, and implementing engineering execution plans.
  • Partner across Azure, Microsoft Security, and the HSM vendor ecosystem to deliver cohesive platform solutions for regulated and mission-critical workloads.
  • Improve platform availability, resiliency, scalability, and diagnosability through production-focused architecture and engineering excellence.
  • Provide technical mentorship and architectural guidance while raising the quality, maintainability, and long-term extensibility of the engineering system.


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:

Candidates must be able 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:
  • BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 10+ years of experience designing and building cryptographic systems, including deep understanding of cryptographic primitives, protocols (e.g., TLS, PKI), and their application in real-world systems.
  • 15+ years of hands-on experience in security and systems programming, with demonstrated application of security principles such as threat modeling, secure design, and vulnerability analysis.
  • Expert-level experience coding in C/C++ with strong programming, design, problem-solving, quality, and engineering excellence skills.
  • Proven experience building and operating cloud-scale, distributed services.
  • Experience working with Linux and Open-Source Software (OSS) technologies.
  • Experience with Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) such as Intel SGX, AMD SEV, or similar enclave-based technologies.


#PostQuantumCryptography #QuantumSafe #PQC #AzureSecurity

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.

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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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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