Principal Architect-UI Platforms

Overview

Architect, UI Platforms, Windows Platform & Developer (WPD) Organization

Would you like to help shape the UI platform that powers Windows experiences used by millions of developers and customers every day? The Windows Platform & Developer (WPD) Organization team builds and evolves the UI frameworks and APIs that first‑ and third‑party developers rely on to create high‑quality desktop and enterprise line-of-business (LOB) applications.

We are looking for a Principal Architect to help guide the next phase of Windows UI Platform’s evolution (including WinUI3) —modernizing the platform, improving fundamentals such as performance and reliability, and ensuring the developer experience meets the expectations of today’s desktop and enterprise app builders. This role blends strategic thinking with hands‑on technical leadership and offers the opportunity to influence a widely used platform while staying close to real developer scenarios.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

As a Windows UI Platform Principal Architect, you will provide technical leadership across the Windows UI platform and work closely with engineering, program management, and partner teams.

Platform architecture and technical leadership

• Define and evolve the architectural direction for WinUI and related Windows UI components, ensuring designs are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with long‑term platform goals.
• Review and guide architecture and design proposals across multiple teams, helping ensure consistency and technical quality.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor and sounding board for senior engineers and leaders working across UI, shell, graphics, input, and app model areas.
  
  

Modernization and quality of fundamentals

• Drive improvements in core platform fundamentals that matter to real desktop and LOB apps, including startup performance, memory usage, responsiveness, reliability, accessibility, and theming.
• Help identify and address common friction points that developers encounter when building or modernizing Windows desktop applications.
  
  

Developer Experience And Adoption

• Influence API design patterns, lifecycle models, diagnostics, and tooling to make the platform easier and more predictable to build on.
• Partner with PM and engineering teams to improve guidance and reduce friction for teams adopting newer UI technologies.
• Engage constructively with the developer community (including open‑source communities where appropriate) to incorporate feedback and improve trust in the platform.
  
  

Mentorship and architecture culture

• Mentor senior ICs and aspiring architects, raising the overall bar for technical decision‑making and design quality.
• Promote clear written specs, design reviews, and thoughtful technical storytelling across the organization.
  
  

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors 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 equivalent experience.
• Significant hands‑on experience building desktop or rich‑client applications, with a strong focus on UX quality and system fundamentals.
• Depth in one or more UI frameworks for desktop or cross‑platform development, such as WinForms, WPF, WinUI, SwiftUI, UIKit/AppKit, .NET MAUI, Avalonia UI, Qt, Uno Platform, Flutter, or Electron in strongly desired.
• Proficiency in C++ and/or C# (or comparable systems languages), with the ability to reason across framework, runtime, and OS layers.
• Experience navigating UI architecture tradeoffs involving performance, memory, rendering, input, threading, accessibility, and app lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction beyond your immediate team through design reviews, architectural guidance, or technical leadership.
  

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

• Masters 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 Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 15+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
• OR equivalent experience.
• Experience modernizing or evolving an existing UI framework or large application platform.
• Experience designing developer‑facing APIs or frameworks consumed by external teams or customers.
• Engagement with developer communities or open‑source projects.
• Familiarity with Windows app models, interop scenarios, or graphics/composition pipelines.
  

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This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

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