Do you see software development as both a craft and an art? Are you the kind of engineer who looks at a problem, sees a path forward, and wants to build it, fast, thoughtfully, and with quality? If so, keep reading…
We're looking for Senior Software Engineers who want to make a meaningful impact and move quickly alongside a collaborative team, building innovative agentic and software-security solutions, including Microsoft MDASH.
Here’s what you’ll be working on:
On one end of the development spectrum sits source code, the human-readable logic developers create, review, and commit. On the other end sits the runtime: compiled binaries, running processes, and applications executing in production.
Today, these worlds are largely disconnected. Security teams can identify vulnerabilities in running applications without a clear or fast path back to the code that caused them. Developers often lack real-time insight into how their code behaves under attack. Closing that gap is one of the most important unsolved challenges in security.
We’re a new team forming now, building natively on Microsoft’s tech stack, with deep integration across the tools developers already use and rely on, including GitHub, Visual Studio, Azure, and more. MDASH is our first step. There’s much more ahead.
And to be clear, while we’re helping shape the future of AI and security, this job description isn’t AI-generated. It was written intentionally, because this work is about people. Great software is built by people, and it’s people who make Microsoft a great place to work.
There are very few places where an individual engineer’s code can directly impact customers. Defender is one of them.
If you enjoy building, care about solving meaningful problems, and want to work with people who are equally passionate, let’s talk.
Responsibilities
- Design and build scalable backend services and data platforms that support high-impact security scenarios
- Translate ambiguous problem spaces into clear, practical, and inclusive technical designs
- Own key components end-to-end, including design, implementation, and ongoing operational excellence
- Make thoughtful architectural decisions that balance correctness, scalability, latency, and maintainability
- Strengthen system reliability through monitoring, alerting, automation, and continuous improvement practices
- Collaborate with diverse partner teams across MDE and the broader Microsoft Security ecosystem
- Contribute to an inclusive engineering culture by participating in design reviews and knowledge sharing
- Uphold high standards through code reviews, testing practices, and continuous quality improvements
- Mentor and support engineers at all levels, fostering growth and a culture of learning
- Proactively identify opportunities to simplify systems, improve performance, and deliver better outcomes for customers
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, 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Master'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 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.
- 3+ years of experience in building and delivering backend services or data platforms
- 3+ years of experience in designing and owning scalable, reliable distributed systems
- 3+ years of experience in applying system design, data modeling, and service architecture principles
- 3+ years of experience in working with Azure or other large-scale cloud environments
- 3+ years of experience in navigating ambiguity, driving execution, and contributing to areas such as security, platform engineering, or AI-driven systems
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 technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience coding in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire and every two years
- Experience building and delivering backend services or data platforms (3+ years)
- Experience designing and owning scalable, reliable distributed systems (3+ years)
- Experience in system design, data modeling, and service architecture principles (3+ years)
- Experience working with Azure or other large-scale cloud environments (3+ years)
- Experience navigating ambiguity and contributing to security, platform engineering, or AI-driven systems (3+ years)
- Master's Degree in Computer Science with 6+ years experience OR Bachelor's with 8+ years experience (or equivalent)
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.
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