As Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI we are on the lookout for passionate individuals to work with us on the most interesting and challenging AI questions of our time. Our vision is to enable users to get more done in their existing workflows by maximally leveraging agentic workflows. It’s also inclusive: we make AI accessible to all — consumers, businesses, developers — so that everyone can realize its benefits.
Our AI Experiences, Copilot Engineering team is at the forefront of redefining how AI enhance everyday computing on Copilot. We build the full stack from working with data and models to user experiences with native tools and quality feedback loops. We’re shipping consumer-scale services that are transforming how users interact with their PCs. Whether it’s designing intelligent prompts, engineering robust backends to interface with models, or developing native Copilot platform and UX features, this team does it all.
As a Principal Software Engineer on the team, you will work at the intersection of distributed systems, AI, and agent-driven development to build systems that can reason, plan, and execute tasks—powering the next generation of AI-assisted and agentic computing experiences.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Starting January 26, 2026, AI Experiences employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.
By applying to this U.S. Redmond, WA position, you are required to be local to the greater Seattle area and in office 4 days a week.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Design and develop next generation products and features for Copilot experiences on Windows, Mac, and mobile.
- Design and develop secure and performant platform services that support Copilot experiences on Windows, Mac, and mobile.
- Work collaboratively with platform, infrastructure, application engineers and researchers to build next generation AI products and services.
- Ship high-quality, well-tested, secure, and maintainable code.
- Overcome obstacles to deliver work quickly and iteratively to users
- Enjoy working in a fast-paced, design-driven, product development cycle.
- Embody our Culture and Values.
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.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master'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 Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 15+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
- OR equivalent experience.
- Extensive hands-on experience using modern AI coding agents (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, Github Copilot, or similar tools), with a track record of:
- Acting as a team expert or go-to resource for AI-assisted/agentic development workflows
- Driving adoption of agentic coding tools to improve engineering velocity and code quality
- Defining best practices for prompt design, tool usage, and human-in-the-loop systems
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.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field OR equivalent experience
- 6+ years technical engineering experience (coding in languages including C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python)
- Local to the greater Seattle area and able to work in office at least four days per week
- Experience designing and developing distributed systems, secure and performant platform services, and production-quality code
- Master's Degree in Computer Science and 12+ years experience OR Bachelor's Degree and 15+ years experience
- Extensive hands-on experience using modern AI coding agents (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, GitHub Copilot) and driving agentic development workflows
- Track record as a team expert for AI-assisted development, defining prompt best practices and human-in-the-loop systems
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.
