The Network Driver Platform team is looking for a Software Engineer II focused on two core areas: HLK network test framework support and DPDK open-source software maintenance for Windows.
In this role, you will help improve the quality, reliability, and compatibility of Windows networking by supporting HLK network device tests used for driver certification and partner validation. You will also contribute to the maintenance and evolution of DPDK support on Windows, including compatibility, debugging, validation, and engagement with the open-source community.
This position requires collaboration with internal teams, IHVs, and external partners to diagnose issues, improve test coverage, support driver certification scenarios, and ensure high-performance networking technologies work well across Windows client, server, and virtualized environments.
We are seeking a developer with solid systems software fundamentals, debugging skills, and interest in networking, drivers, test infrastructure, and open-source development.and much more.
In Core OS, we are responsible for the Operating Systems that power Azure, Microsoft's Linux OS, the platforms for Windows Client and Xbox, and our Windows Server ecosystem – through all of these, we support every one of our cloud businesses and billions of customers around the world. In this era of ubiquitous computing, systems software excellence has never been more important for Microsoft. High quality, high-efficiency operating systems and platform components underpin everything we do as a company, from making our systems more reliable for our customers, to increasing our competitiveness by reducing COGS, to delivering new features and capabilities to delight customers – that’s all us!
To deliver on our vision, we are looking for a Software Engineer II who is excited about the prospect of learning and driving innovation across our networking stack, across our partnering teams and across the industry. This is an opportunity that will improve your knowledge of networking, system architecture, distributed systems and will provide ample opportunities for industry wide impact.
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
You will be responsible for design, architecture, and execution in your areas of responsibility, producing and operating high-quality scalable services, and collaboration with partners. We are looking for a Software Engineer II who takes pride in their craft, works pragmatically and with enthusiasm to motivate and energize others. Core responsibilities include:
- Influence architecture requirements and portability of software across varied platforms and implement functionality using the latest software development life cycle techniques and tools.
- Ship quality code whether it is in kernel or in user mode and ensure it has diagnosability and observability built into it for production level usage.
- Demonstrate deep empathy for the customer and support them from day 0 to day 100+.
- Foster and participate in an inclusive and collaborative team culture.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to identify requirements, trends and opportunities.
- Participate and influence a culture with a focus on making customers successful and improving developer productivity.
Other:
- Embody our Culture and Values.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum 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 thereafter.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with multi-threaded software development.
- Experience with software debugging.
- Understanding of networking, Ethernet/Wi-Fi network hardware and driver ecosystems.
- Solid communication and collaboration skills.
- Experienced understanding of systems software and experience in systems programming developing APIs and services.
- Architectural skills backed up by implementation experience.
- Experienced coding, debugging, testing, and problem-solving skills.
- A track record of solid results across multiple ship cycles.
- Experience with networking concepts and architecture.
- Understanding of modern computer architectures found in desktop PCs and servers, including networking.
Valued:
- Has proficient skills with AI to drive for self-learning and completing engineering objectives.
- Understanding of WDM, HLK, PNP, PCIe/USB.
- Network protocol analyzers and packet wire format bit-level structures.
- Familiarity with Linux and Windows Operating Systems internals.
- Open-Source software contributor experience.
#W+DJOBS
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 or equivalent experience
- 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding
- Proficiency coding in C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
- Solid systems software fundamentals and software debugging skills
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements and pass Microsoft Cloud background check
- Experience with multi-threaded software development
- Understanding of networking, Ethernet/Wi-Fi hardware and driver ecosystems
- Experience in systems programming, developing kernel and user-mode code, APIs and services
- Familiarity with DPDK, HLK, WDM, PNP, PCIe/USB
- Familiarity with Windows and Linux internals and open-source contribution experience
- Architectural design experience and track record across multiple ship cycles
- Experience with network protocol analyzers and packet-level formats
- Proficient AI usage for self-learning and engineering objectives
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.







