Principal Software Engineer

Overview

Microsoft and OpenAI have formed one of the most successful tech partnerships in the industry to advance artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly and make its benefits broadly accessible. As part of this partnership, the Office of the CTO (OCTO) within Microsoft is responsible for the technical strategy for the use of OpenAI technology across Microsoft. More broadly, OCTO leads investments in emerging technical bets, provides technical insights, and drives high-priority company-wide AI initiatives, while partnering closely with engineering, research, and product teams.

The Principal Software Engineer within OCTO will build AI-based systems to accelerate the deployment of OpenAI technology across Microsoft. They will collaborate with key technical teams, both at Microsoft and OpenAI, to create the technical foundation underpinning the successful partnership.

By applying to this position, you acknowledge that the role is in‑office at least 3 days per week in either the Redmond, WA or Mountain View, CA offices.

At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.

Responsibilities

• Building and shipping robust and reliable AI products.
• Leading system design, including collaborating with technical partners to facilitate integration with other software systems.
• Understanding and navigating various business requirements and technical constraints to deliver exceptional software systems.
• Partnering closely with various technical teams to execute on building various components of a complex system on a fast cadence.
• Ensuring system reliability, observability, and security in production environment.
• Writing technical briefs to inform stakeholders and leadership of technical design and decisions.
• Delivering software on schedule and escalating or surfacing risks and blockers when needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 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.

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.
• Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations.  As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their U.S. permanent residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 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
• 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 equivalent experience.
• Experience building and shipping AI products and services.
• Experience building and launching net new software services.
• Ability to handle high ambiguity, ability to drive clarity through oral and written communication, and identify/prioritize issues and opportunities.
• Experience working through complex business requirements and technical constraints to deliver exceptional software systems.
• Ability to earn trust with stakeholders and influence across organizations.
  

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $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.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

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.