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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer - **Company:** Microsoft - **Location:** Redmond, WA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C (Programming Language), Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, C Sharp (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Computing, Continuous Integration, Programming Tools, Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), Information Technology - **Published:** September 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/usbc02d159cb9faa784c5c795d726ac865/eaa ## About the Role validate it with real engineering teams, and scale, redirect, or stop the work based on measurable results. Identify, incubate, and evolve common foundations and platform capabilities that improve engineering workflows across the organization, then help scale and operate the resulting services and tools. Own production outcomes for the capabilities you lead, including operational readiness, observability, security, reliability, performance, cost, incident response, and continuous improvement. Influence technical direction across engineering organizations, resolve cross-system dependencies, and align senior stakeholders through clear technical reasoning and demonstrated results. Model AI-native engineering in your own work, mentor engineers, raise the quality bar for design and implementation, and help teams adopt effective practices through working software and practical guidance. Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years of technical engineering experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience. Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 10+ years of technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience. Proven success leading the architecture and delivery of complex production systems or developer platforms across multiple teams and technical domains. Hands-on experience using current generative AI models, coding agents, and engineering platforms to build production software, with demonstrated judgment about evaluation, reliability, security, and human oversight. Experience improving engineering execution at organizational scale through developer workflows, engineering systems, operating practices, or developer experience, with measurable outcomes. Deep technical expertise in one or more areas such as cloud platforms, distributed systems, developer tooling, identity and security, observability, CI/CD, testing infrastructure, or safe deployment, with working knowledge across adjacent areas. Experience building and operating products for developers, AI-enabled engineering workflows, internal developer platforms, paved roads, developer tooling, or cloud infrastructure in complex brownfield environments. Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, make sound architecture and engineering tradeoffs, and take capabilities from 0*1 through production operation and broad adoption. Demonstrated ability to simplify complex technical problems, align senior stakeholders, mentor engineers, and drive durable change across a matrixed organization without direct authority. ## Related Videos - [AI Won't Fix Your Engineering Culture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100266-ai-won-t-fix-your-engineering-culture) - [Green Cloud Computing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/592-green-cloud-computing) - [AI Pair Programming with GitHub Copilot at SAP: Looking Back, Looking Forward!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1546-ai-pair-programming-with-github-copilot-at-sap-looking-back-looking-forward) - [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process) - [The Software Engineer 2030: From Coder To AI Orchestrator? - Patrick Schnell](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1825-the-software-engineer-2030-from-coder-to-ai-orchestrator-patrick-schnell) - [WebAssembly: The Next Frontier of Cloud Computing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/972-webassembly-the-next-frontier-of-cloud-computing) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [What is Software Engineering in the Age of AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/640-what-is-software-engineering-in-the-age-of-ai) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer)