Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Redmond, WA 98052In-Person
Information 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 with 6+ years coding experience in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python; or equivalent experience.
  • Master's Degree in Computer Science with 8+ years of relevant coding experience preferred.
  • 2+ years of experience working with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • Proven experience in end-to-end system design and MLOps exposure.
  • Knowledge of low-level GPU architecture and optimizations.

Responsibilities

  • Engage with partners to design and implement inferencing capabilities for deep learning models.
  • Build robust frameworks for experimentation and production use-cases.
  • Optimize GPU performance to deliver best-in-class inference.
  • Collaborate to identify improvements and solve technical problems in AI infrastructure.
  • Develop internal tools for AI lifecycle management and performance monitoring.
  • Foster an inclusive environment and support team growth.

Benefits

  • Work in a culture that prioritizes diversity and community engagement.
  • Access to cutting-edge hardware and software stacks.
  • Opportunities for technical leadership and mentorship.
  • Be part of a significant impact on AI innovations for major platforms.
Full Job Description
Overview

We are the team responsible for delivering efficient and innovative Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) techniques for Microsoft's online advertising platforms. The team's mission is to leverage advances in large language models (LLMs) and deep learning to improve efficiency and monetization of Microsoft's advertising business. To this end, we are responsible for adapting algorithms for retrieval, selection, ranking and classification for execution on GPUs under tight latency and throughput constraints. We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer who is excited to work on the end-to-end for stack with an emphasis on using GPUs for LLM use cases and beyond.

Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

Responsibilities
  • Engage directly with key partners to understand, design, and implement complex inferencing capabilities for state-of-the-art deep learning models, driving innovations in AI infrastructure.
  • Design and build robust, extensible and reusable frameworks that can support experimentation as well as production use-cases seamlessly.
  • Work with cutting-edge hardware and software stacks to deliver best-in-class inference performance while optimizing for cost, leveraging open-source projects to advance deep learning applications.
  • Collaborate with external and internal teams to identify new areas for improvement and contribute to innovations that enhance model performance and deployment. Discover/solve impactful technical problems, advance state-of-the-art technologies, and translate ideas into production.
  • Developing internal tools to support the AI lifecycle, including experiment tracking, model versioning, and performance monitoring.
  • Create deep connections within our communities, focus on increasing representation, retaining, and growing our current team members, while fostering awareness and growth through an inclusive environment.


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:
  • Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • 2+ years of experience working with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, OnnxRuntime, Tensorflow, vLLM, TensorRT-LLM).
  • Experience in end-to-end system design and development, with some familiarity with MLOps.
  • Experience with low-level GPU architecture, optimizations, kernel programming, model quantization.
  • Knowledge and experience with Docker, Kubernetes, High-performance application development.
  • Technical leadership skills and ability to mentor early-in-profession engineers.


#MicrosoftAI

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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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.

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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.

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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

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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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