Principal Software Engineer

The Security Copilot Base Platform Team at Microsoft Security is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help build the foundational elements of a world-class security platform. In this role, you will define architectural direction and lead execution on key projects that enable internal and external engineers to build faster and more securely on our platform. You’ll collaborate across teams to align goals, drive scalable solutions, and tackle complex engineering and security challenges at the core of our AI-powered systems.

Security Copilot is an integral part of this mission. It leverages generative AI to help defenders detect hidden patterns, harden defenses, and respond to threats faster. But with this new frontier comes a new set of challenges: hallucinations, prompt injection, and securing the AI systems themselves. Our team is leading the charge in addressing both the opportunities and risks that generative AI introduces to cybersecurity.

At Microsoft, our culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and accountability. We embrace a growth mindset, encourage innovation, and empower teams to deliver life-changing products that impact billions of lives around the world. As part of the Security Copilot Base Platform Team, you’ll join a collaborative and mission-driven group of engineers working to redefine what’s possible in security through AI.

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline 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.
• 6+ years of industry experience in building large scale distributed systems.
• 5+ years of experience working with .NET, C#, Azure or similar technologies.

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/Additional Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities and arrive at creative solutions.
• Design, problem solving and communication skills
• Understanding of first party and third party security products and services

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 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 $180,400 - $294,000 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until April 3rd, 2025

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

• Lead the design and development of our enterprise-based platform, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements and drive the implementation of innovative solutions that are required for Microsoft Security services to deliver copilot experiences.
• Implement best practices for engineering systems, observability, deployment process, automatic rollbacks, building microservices etc.
• Mentor and guide engineers, influence engineering managers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with product management to prioritize features and roadmap initiatives based on customer needs and market trends.
• Ensure adherence to coding standards, software quality, and best practices for software development lifecycle management.
• Develop the material needed to empower others to build on top of Security Copilot Platform.