Principal Software Engineer

We are seeking a highly experienced engineer to define and drive the architecture strategy for compliant computation and storage across the Search platform. This leader will shape the long-term technical vision for how Bing processes, stores, governs, and protects data while enabling innovation, AI-powered experiences, and global scale.

The role sits at the intersection of large-scale distributed systems, data governance, privacy, security, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will partner across Search, AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Security, Privacy, and Legal organizations to build architectures that ensure compliance requirements are embedded into the platform by design rather than treated as downstream controls.

As a senior technical leader, you will drive strategic platform investments to power high-scale search traffic and growth, establish architectural standards for compliant data handling, and drive adoption of next-generation storage and computation frameworks that balance performance, cost, resilience, and regulatory obligations.

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, Microsoft AI (MAI) 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.

• Define the end-to-end architecture vision for compliant computation and storage services supporting the Bing Search ecosystem.
• Establish platform-wide design principles for privacy, security, data residency, retention, governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive architectural strategy for large-scale distributed storage and data processing systems handling petabyte-scale workloads.
• Partner with Privacy, Security, Legal, and Compliance teams to translate regulatory requirements into scalable technical capabilities.
• Lead cross-organizational initiatives to modernize data access, governance, lineage, auditing, retention, and deletion frameworks.
• Influence architectural decisions across multiple engineering teams and organizations through technical leadership and executive communication.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to enhance compliance posture while improving developer productivity and platform efficiency.
• Mentor senior engineers and architects, raising the overall technical excellence of the organization.
• Develop multi-year roadmaps that align business objectives, compliance requirements, and platform evolution.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor'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.

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.
• Proven experience architecting hyperscale distributed systems, data platforms, or cloud services.
• Deep expertise in storage systems, large-scale computation frameworks, and data lifecycle management.
• Solid understanding of privacy, security, compliance, and governance requirements in global cloud and data environments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive architectural alignment across large, complex organizations.
• Exceptional communication and executive influence skills, with a track record of driving strategic technical decisions.
• Experience establishing platform standards and technical direction across multiple products or business units.

#MicrosoftAI 

Software Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $165,600 - $296,400 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 $220,800 - $331,200 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.