Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft's Azure Core team is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join their rapidly growing and highly profitable cloud computing division. This role is central to Azure's infrastructure, working on systems that power major services like Teams, Bing, Exchange, Xbox, and SQL Azure, as well as supporting large enterprise customers including Accenture, Adobe, Walgreens, and Walmart.

The position focuses on solving complex technical challenges in Software Defined Networking (SDN) and host networking areas, requiring expertise in C/C++ programming, distributed systems, and network virtualization. As a Principal Engineer, you'll be at the forefront of cloud computing, designing and operating cloud-scale systems that form the foundation of Azure, Microsoft's World's Computer.

The role combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering, requiring both deep technical expertise and the ability to mentor team members. You'll work with cutting-edge technologies, collaborate across global teams, and drive innovation through thought leadership. The position offers significant impact potential, working on infrastructure that supports Microsoft's mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more.

Key responsibilities include resolving complex technical problems, staying current with industry developments, collaborating across teams, mentoring junior engineers, and maintaining high quality standards. The ideal candidate will have 6+ years of technical engineering experience, strong coding skills, and excellent leadership and communication abilities.

This is an opportunity to work with a passionate team that takes pride in pushing boundaries and delivering next-generation cloud architecture improvements. The role offers comprehensive benefits, including industry-leading healthcare, educational resources, and work-life balance support, all while working in a remote-friendly environment with up to 100% work from home flexibility.