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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer - **Company:** Microsoft - **Location:** Aliso Viejo, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $142,800.0 - $274,800.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C (Programming Language), Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Online Services, C Sharp (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Data Warehousing, Distributed Systems, Fault Tolerance, Python (Programming Language), Performance Tuning, Software Engineering, Concurrency, Microsoft Fabric, Information Technology, Data Management - **Published:** September 23, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.jobmonkeyjobs.com/career/28044824/Principal-Software-Engineer-California-Aliso-Viejo-1210 ## About the Role * 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. Additional 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., * 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. * Strong distributed systems experience and understanding of scale, resiliency, and reliability patterns. * Strong AI-first mindset and growth orientation, with a passion for exploring new technologies and ways of working to improve engineering effectiveness and customer outcomes. #azdat #azuredata #analytics #distributedSystem Software Engineering IC5 - 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. ## Description * Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture for the Fabric Data Warehouse Distributed Query Processing (DQP) platform, ensuring scalability, reliability, performance, and operational excellence at cloud scale. * Lead the design and evolution of core query processing technologies, including distributed execution, scheduling, resource management, workload isolation, and performance optimization. * Partner closely with engineering, product management, design, data science, and partner teams across Microsoft to deliver end-to-end solutions that connect customer needs with measurable business outcomes. * Identify and solve fundamental distributed systems problems involving scale, concurrency, fault tolerance, elasticity, efficiency, and service reliability. * Establish architectural standards, engineering best practices, and technical governance processes through design reviews, technical mentoring, and cross-team collaboration. * Influence the long-term platform strategy for personalized and collaborative analytics experiences, balancing customer value, scalability, security, and maintainability. * Mentor and develop senior engineers and technical leaders, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and customer obsession. * Lead complex cross-organizational initiatives, aligning stakeholders across multiple teams to deliver strategic capabilities that advance the Microsoft Fabric analytics platform. * Champion the use of AI-driven development practices, automation, and intelligent observability to improve engineering productivity, accelerate problem resolution, and enhance the health, reliability, and operational efficiency of the platform. ## Related Videos - [Concurrency with Go](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/191-concurrency-with-go) - [It's all about the Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/425-it-s-all-about-the-data) - [System Resilience: Surviving the Software Storm](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/874-system-resilience-surviving-the-software-storm) - [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) - [Structured Concurrency in Practice: CoroutineScope vs StructuredTaskScope](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100349-structured-concurrency-in-practice-coroutinescope-vs-structuredtaskscope) - [Your next 10x engineer isn't in your city. Refactor accordingly.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100103-your-next-10x-engineer-isn-t-in-your-city-refactor-accordingly) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How Much Does a Software Engineer Make? Realistic Software Engineering Salaries](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/425-how-much-does-a-software-engineer-make-realistic-software-engineering-salaries) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers)