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# Software Engineering IC5

- **Company:** Microsoft
- **Location:** Redmond, WA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $142,800 - $274,800
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** C (Programming Language), Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Microsoft Online Services, C Sharp (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Computing, Software Quality, Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), Operational Data Store, Cloud Services, Software Engineering, Data Streaming, Information Technology
- **Published:** October 29, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.jobmonkeyjobs.com/career/28145674/Software-Engineering-Ic5-Washington-Redmond-1210

## About the Role

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience designing systems and coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python, OR equivalent experience.

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.

## Description

We are looking for a Principal Engineer with deep experience designing and operating high-throughput, multi-tenant cloud services, and a demonstrated ability to define end-to-end architectures across service, data, security, reliability, and operational boundaries. You will apply broad technical depth to make sound architectural trade-offs, establish durable engineering patterns, anticipate failure modes, and guide teams toward secure, scalable, diagnosable, and maintainable solutions. Responsibilities include: * Own the architecture and technical direction for large-scale distributed services, defining system boundaries, interfaces, data flows, and evolution strategies that support long-term business and platform needs. * Drive best-in-class engineering across services by establishing reusable patterns and ensuring components are modular, secure, reliable, diagnosable, actively monitored, and designed for independent evolution. * Apply broad technical depth across distributed systems,
cloud infrastructure, data, identity, security, and developer platforms to evaluate trade-offs and influence decisions that span multiple teams and technology layers. * Translate customer and partner needs, product signals, and operational data into coherent technical strategies, architecture roadmaps, and pragmatic investment priorities. * Lead the resolution of complex cross-service and LiveSite issues, identify systemic failure modes, and drive architectural improvements in automation, resiliency, scalability, observability, and cost efficiency. * Serve as a technical leader across the organization by mentoring engineers, raising design and code quality, leading rigorous architecture reviews, aligning stakeholders, and influencing engineering direction beyond the immediate team.