The Azure Kubernetes Service team is creating a world-class container management and orchestration services for the cloud and beyond. We are the team working on container solutions for Azure on both Linux and Windows.
Our charter is to define the next generation of cloud-native infrastructure on Azure. We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer who is excited about containers, and container orchestration with Kubernetes, and also has an interest in building DevOps tools that make it easier for people to build, deploy and scale their software on the Azure cloud.
As artificial intelligence transforms how applications are built and operated, AKS is also pioneering the next generation of AI-native infrastructure. Our mission includes enabling developers and enterprises to efficiently run, manage, and scale AI and machine learning workloads across cloud and edge environments. From GPU and accelerator orchestration, AI model deployment and inference, intelligent platform operations, and agent-based application architectures, we are building the foundational platform that powers the future of AI on Azure.
The team is seeking a Principal Software Engineer who is interested in distributed systems, Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure, and AI platform innovation. You will work at the intersection of cloud-native technologies and AI, helping shape the experiences that allow customers to deploy, secure, monitor, and optimize both traditional containerized applications and next-generation AI workloads at global scale.
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.
Responsibilities
- Advance the capabilities of Kubernetes and auxiliary components on Azure
- Improve quality of service for Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service
- Accelerate development velocity for all engineers
- Balance pragmatism with vision; deliver continuous improvements to the team’s process and codebase
- Build automation to prevent and/or remediate service problems from becoming production incidents
- Leverage and integrate AI tools into workflow
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.
- 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.
- At least 8 years of experience in commercial software development
- Experience in building, shipping and operating reliable, distributed solutions
- Experience with containers and Kubernetes
- Experience in the following: Golang, Linux,GitHub Copilot or other AI agent in design and implementation workflow
- Ability to engage in site-reliability engineering practices
#azurecorejobs
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 field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience coding in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python (or equivalent experience)
- Ability to pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check and meet Microsoft/customer security screening requirements
- Experience in commercial software development (building, shipping, operating reliable distributed solutions)
- Experience with containers and Kubernetes (AKS) and container orchestration
- Experience with Golang and Linux
- Experience using AI agents/tools in design and implementation workflows (e.g., GitHub Copilot)
- Ability to engage in site-reliability engineering practices and build automation to reduce incidents
- Master's degree in CS and 8+ years, or Bachelor's and 12+ years (alternative preferred experience levels)
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.
