principal Software engineer

Overview

Azure Core is the foundation of Azure - our global cloud platform that runs Microsoft and customer workloads at massive scale. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to help build the next generation of Azure Core Compute platform services that power this infrastructure.In this role, you will design and deliver highly available, resilient, and efficient distributed systems that operate at cloud scale. You will work on complex, ambiguous problems and apply data-driven and intelligent approaches to push the limits of reliability and performance across the compute stack.You will lead architecture and technical direction across multiple layers of the compute platform, influencing platform-wide design decisions and long-term strategy. This role requires a strong balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, including system design, coding, and operational ownership. You will collaborate closely with partner teams across Azure, mentor engineers, and help raise the technical bar as you shape the future of Azure’s core infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Architecture: Provide technical leadership across Azure Core Compute platform areas. Define architecture for large-scale distributed systems and set technical direction to improve Azure’s core reliability, resiliency, and efficiency.
• Build Scalable & Resilient Systems: Design and deliver cloud-scale services and features that meet stringent availability, performance, and operability requirements. Build systems that gracefully handle failures, optimize resource usage, and achieve high availability.
• Hands-on Development & Engineering Excellence: Remain hands-on through design reviews, critical-path coding, and code reviews. Set a high engineering bar by driving best practices in code quality, testing, automation, performance tuning, and live-site readiness.
• Mentorship & Technical Bar Raising: Mentor and guide engineers to elevate technical capability across the team. Foster a culture of excellence through thoughtful design feedback, knowledge sharing, and leading by example.
• Collaboration & Platform Influence: Partner closely with engineering teams across Azure and Product Management to deliver end-to-end platform improvements. Influence platform-wide technical decisions and drive initiatives that improve Azure’s reliability and customer experience.
  
  

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

• Bachelors 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.
• Proven experience designing and operating reliable, distributed systems at scale.
• Hands-on experience through design reviews, coding, and code review
  
  

Additional Or Preferred Qualifications

• Masters 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 Bachelors 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.
  
  

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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