Principal Software Engineer

The Windows Ecosystem and Commercial Engagement team (WECE) is where Microsoft’s Windows vision meets the energy, scale, and innovation of a global ecosystem. We connect partners, customers, and engineering teams to turn strategic priorities into breakthrough experiences that reach people on every Windows device. Within WECE, Hardware Engineering Enablement (HEE) helps bring modern hardware innovation to life on Windows PCs—delivering the tools, guidance, insights, and engineering partnership that elevate device quality, performance, efficiency, and user delight across the ecosystem.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will shape the future of Windows PCs as a hands-on technical leader and individual contributor at the intersection of platform quality, emerging hardware technologies, AI, telemetry, and ecosystem scale. You will architect and build next-generation engineering tools and extensible automation frameworks that apply AI to accelerate validation, diagnostics, root-cause analysis, and issue resolution across diverse Windows devices. Using product telemetry and engineering signals, you will identify systemic quality opportunities, translate insights into durable platform and tooling improvements, and drive measurable gains in reliability, performance, and engineering efficiency. You will collaborate with OEMs, ODMs, IHVs, silicon partners, and cross-functional teams across Microsoft to influence technical direction, solve complex system-level challenges, and scale high-quality engineering practices across the Windows ecosystem.

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. 

• Architect, design, and build next-generation engineering tools and extensible automation frameworks that improve Windows device validation, diagnostics, and ecosystem engineering efficiency.
• Apply AI and machine learning techniques to automate analysis, accelerate root-cause identification, improve issue resolution, and deliver actionable engineering recommendations.
• Use product telemetry, validation results, and engineering signals to identify systemic quality opportunities and drive measurable improvements in reliability, performance, and user experience.
• Define scalable architectures, technical standards, APIs, and reusable components that enable consistent tooling and automation across hardware platforms, device generations, and partner scenarios.
• Lead complex system-level investigations through hands-on coding, debugging, prototyping, and data analysis, translating findings into durable product and tooling improvements.
• Collaborate with OEMs, ODMs, IHVs, silicon partners, and cross-functional engineering teams to validate solutions, unblock integration, share technical knowledge, and scale engineering insights.

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.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, collaborate, and deliver presentations effectively in both Mandarin and English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, plus 7+ years of professional software development experience, or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in C++ and/or C#, with scripting experience in PowerShell or Python for test automation.
• 4+ years Windows development and debugging experiences.
• Proven record for shipping successful software projects or services.
• Proven record for AI and data driven applications and adoptions.
• Experience working across teams within a shared ownership model, influencing outcomes for customers and partners.
• Ability to establish relationships and credibility with multiple area leaders, with a proven ability to navigate cross team ownership, unblock integration, and drive changes to ship through other teams.
• Prior collaboration with OEM/IHV partners.

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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.