The M365 Enterprise Search team is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to help build and operate the search engine that powers Microsoft 365 Copilot. Our platform enables fast, reliable retrieval and delivers the grounding data that fuels Copilot experiences across the entire Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
We design and implement core components of a high‑scale, distributed search system that operates at true global scale. Our mission is to deliver enterprise‑grade search across documents, email, calendar events, contacts, and connectors with high precision and low latency, meeting the demands of the AI era.
To achieve this, our team brings together expertise in workflow orchestration, distributed systems, machine learning, and advanced algorithmic optimization. We ship new capabilities continuously, with an emphasis on operational excellence, resilience, and measurable impact.
Join us to design and deliver the next generation of enterprise search for Microsoft 365 Copilot - shaping how hundreds of millions of users discover and interact with information every day.
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
Independently uses appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) tools and practices across the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in a disciplined manner. Takes responsibility for the content of their AI-generated requirements, design documents, code, and other assets, assisting other members of the team to do the same. Uses SDLC and engineering health measures (e.g., Accelerate, SPACE framework, Engineering System Success Playbook [ESSP]) to improve processes and practices, especially those involving AI. Experiments with AI tools and practices to improve their own capabilities.
Drive architecture and implementation of search services with a focus on performance, safety, and concurrency.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality and Platform teams to deliver a highly scalable, high performance search stack
Foster developer agility through tooling investments (e.g., F5 debugging, Dev UI, mock-based testing) and AI-assisted engineering practices.
Acts as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) working on-call to monitor system/product feature/service for degradation, downtime, or interruptions and gains approval to restore system/product/service for simple problems.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to 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.
Preferred Qualification:
- Demonstrated problem solving and debugging skills.
- 4+ years of experience in distributed systems and agile development environment.
- Excellent communications and cross-group collaboration skills which facilitate interactions across.
- 4+ years of C++/C#/Java/Rust software engineering and product development experience.
Software Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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 OR equivalent experience
- 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages such as C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements (Microsoft Cloud Background Check)
- Demonstrated problem solving and debugging skills
- 4+ years experience in distributed systems and agile development environments
- 4+ years C++, C#, Java, or Rust software engineering and product development experience
- Excellent communication and cross-group collaboration skills
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.
