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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Data Engineer - **Company:** Microsoft - **Location:** Redmond, WA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $142,800.0 - $274,800.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Training Data, Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Online Services, C Sharp (Programming Language), Code Review, Computer Engineering, Continuous Delivery, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Security, Graph Database, Python (Programming Language), Knowledge-Based Systems, Performance Tuning, Site Reliability Engineering Practices, Microsoft Copilot, Scala (Programming Language), Search Technologies, Software Engineering, Azure Data Factory, Spring Cloud, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Large Language Models, Multi-Agent Systems, Prompt Engineering, Model Validation, Generative AI, Backend, Build Management, Microsoft Fabric, AI Platforms, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Machine Learning Operations, Front End Software Development, Virtual Agents, Programming Languages - **Published:** October 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.techcareers.com/job.asp?id=3472107543&tx=KL6767FFJ&pt=1&aff=0B19D771-A501-4A5E-8338-2A822B784D54&utm_source=Job%20Feed&utm_medium=textkernel&utm_campaign=DE&utm_term=0B19D771-A501-4A5E-8338-2A822B784D54 ## About the Role * Master's Degree in Computer Science, Math, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years experience in business analytics, data science, software development, data modeling, or data engineering * OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Math, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in business analytics, data science, software development, data modeling, or data engineering * 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., * Master's Degree in Computer Science, Math, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years experience in business analytics, data science, software development, data modeling, or data engineering * OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Math, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years experience in business analytics, data science, software development, data modeling, or data engineering * OR equivalent experience. * 3+ years working with data governance, compliance, and/or data security. * 5+ years working in data-intensive Azure environments, translating business requirements into scalable data and AI solutions using technologies such as Microsoft Fabric, Azure AI Foundry, Azure Data Platform, Synapse Analytics, and Azure App Service. * Proficiency developing solutions with Python and/or modern programming languages such as C#, Java, Scala, or equivalent. * Demonstrated ability to design and implement Generative AI and enterprise AI solutions, including LLMs, RAG, semantic search, vector databases, Copilots, intelligent agents, and multi-agent systems. * Knowledge of AI platform engineering and production AI practices, including LLM orchestration, knowledge graphs, prompt engineering, model tuning, evaluation frameworks, MLOps/LLMOps, observability, and model governance. * Background leading enterprise-scale cloud, data, analytics, and AI transformation initiatives, including architecture decisions, engineering strategy, and cross-functional execution. * Ability to develop cloud-scale services using modern software engineering and SRE practices while mentoring engineers, fostering innovation, and advancing engineering practices across complex organizations. Data 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 * Lead end-to-end development of cloud-native applications, APIs, and platform services, applying full-stack engineering principles across frontend, backend, integration, security, observability, testing, and continuous delivery disciplines. * Architect and deliver next-generation AI platforms, copilots, agentic systems, and intelligent applications powered by Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and advanced reasoning capabilities. * Design and build AI-ready data platforms and knowledge systems, scalable AI services, APIs, and orchestration frameworks that power autonomous agents, intelligent automation, and enterprise-scale workflows. * Drive the technical strategy and architecture for Applied AI solutions, partnering across engineering, data science, product, and business teams to accelerate AI innovation and adoption. * Create reusable AI frameworks, SDKs, and platform services that improve developer productivity, model performance, scalability, governance, and reliability. * Establish best practices for Responsible AI, AI governance, model evaluation, security, compliance, observability, and operational excellence. * Provide hands-on technical leadership through architecture reviews, code reviews, mentoring, and direct contribution to software, data, and AI solutions. * Partner with business and technology leaders to identify and deliver transformational AI opportunities that enhance productivity, decision-making, and customer experiences. * Champion customer-zero innovation by turning emerging AI technologies into scalable platforms, reusable services, and enterprise-wide solutions.