Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

6d

About The Position

Are you a Principal Software Engineer passionate about empowering developers to build intelligent AI agents and applications? Join Microsoft’s Developer Division team to shape the future of AI development tooling. We are building innovative tools that support the full lifecycle of AI agent development—from ideation to production—leveraging Microsoft AI Foundry, Azure, and Microsoft 365 platforms.
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the design and delivery of high-impact developer experiences, mentor engineering talent, and drive technical strategy across global teams. Your work will directly influence how developers build AI-powered solutions used by millions worldwide.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Deep understanding of AI technologies and cloud platforms (Azure preferred). Familiarity with AI agent frameworks, LLM orchestration, or prompt engineering.
• Expertise in one or more major programming languages (e.g., Python, Node.js, C#, Java).
• Proven track record of designing and delivering developer tools, platforms, or services at scale.
• Experience developing Visual Studio Code extensions or similar developer tooling.
• Excellent architectural skills and experience driving complex technical decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-team initiatives and influence product strategy.
• Experience contributing to open-source projects or engaging with developer communities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across global teams.

Responsibilities

• Architect and deliver scalable, reliable tools and frameworks that accelerate AI agent development.
• Lead cross-functional technical initiatives and collaborate with product, design, and engineering teams across geographies.
• Drive innovation by integrating emerging technologies, including generative AI, into developer workflows.
• Champion engineering excellence through code quality, testing, and operational best practices.
• Mentor and grow engineering talent, fostering a culture of inclusion, learning, and impact.
• Engage with internal stakeholders and the broader developer ecosystem to understand needs and shape product direction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal