Microsoft

Principal Software Engineering 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 field AND 6+ years of technical engineering experience with languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
  • Master's Degree in Computer Science or related field AND 8+ years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's Degree with 12+ years of experience.
  • 4+ years of experience in people management.
  • 4+ years of Azure services expertise.
  • In-depth understanding of modern AI technologies and application in real-world engineering.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the enhancement of AI tools in the software development lifecycle, promoting Responsible AI practices.
  • Review architecture and design decisions for high-scale systems to ensure compliance with performance and security standards.
  • Produce high-quality code that is maintainable and secure while leveraging AI assistance.
  • Guide teams to implement comprehensive validation strategies, improving test automation and reliability.
  • Establish best practices for secure design and integrate telemetry for system monitoring.
  • Coordinate across teams to manage dependencies, resolve conflicts, and align on project milestones.
  • Mentor team members to develop technical skills and promote a culture of innovation and learning.

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule with the expectation of at least 3 in-office days.
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Inclusive workplace culture promoting innovation.
  • Access to leading-edge technologies and AI tools.
  • Participation in high-impact, enterprise-level projects.
Full Job Description
Overview

As a Principal Software Engineering Manager in the M365 platform team you will manager a team of very highly motivated engineers with a wide variety of experience and background. Your job is to help them achieve their best, increase our AI adoption and agentic dev loops, and maximize our impact. We have a presence in data centers globally, and that reach means 24/7 on-call service.

This position is based in Redmond, Washington and requires the employee be in the office a minimum of 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

  • Lead disciplined use and improvement of artificial intelligence (AI) tools throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring Responsible AI practices and guiding experimentation to improve AI capabilities and adoption and fully agentic loops.
  • Guide and review complex architecture and design decisions for high-scale systems, ensuring solutions meet performance, scalability, resiliency, security, and cost requirements, while leveraging open-source and managed services.
  • Lead efforts to produce extensible, maintainable, secure, well-tested, and performant code; continuously improve code quality, performance, and reliability at scale, incorporating AI-assisted coding where appropriate.
  • Coach and lead teams in creating and executing comprehensive validation strategies including security testing, leveraging AI for test automation and improving test suite reliability and scalability.
  • Drive engineering excellence by establishing and sharing best practices for secure design principles, scaling customer requirements, and proactively integrating telemetry for monitoring system health and security.
  • Lead collaboration across teams to identify and manage dependencies, coordinate schedules, resolve conflicts, and align on delivery milestones ensuring seamless integration and operation at scale.
  • Mentor and develop team members to ensure their technical skills remain current, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and adherence to engineering health metrics.


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.
  • 4+ years people management experience.
  • 4+ years of Azure services expertise.
  • Understanding of modern AI technologies, including generative AI, foundation models, and AI-powered systems, with the ability to apply AI concepts to real-world engineering challenges.
  • Experience designing or building agentic systems and agentic loops, including systems that can reason, plan, take actions, use tools, and iteratively respond to results.
  • Experience managing teams of 10+ engineers, including providing technical direction, developing engineering talent, and driving execution across complex initiatives.


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.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Microsoft Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Get tailored content that aligns with your career preferences and discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Microsoft.

SEARCH MICROSOFT JOBS

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

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Microsoft

More Enterprise Technology Jobs

Find similar Principal Software Engineering Manager jobs:

NationwideRedmond, WA