Software Engineer (VS Code team)

Visual Studio Code, Microsoft's lightweight, cross-platform AI code editor used by millions of developers globally, is seeking a research engineer to join their team. This role focuses primarily on AI features, specifically working on prompts and models while also developing product features.

The position requires expertise in Python, model fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and performance optimization of LLM calls. You'll be working with the VS Code team that develops both the core product and significant extensions like Python, Remote-SSH, Dev Containers, and WSL.

Key responsibilities include improving prompts to enhance response quality and reduce Time To First Token (TTFT), identifying opportunities for custom model implementation, creating datasets for fine-tuning, improving engineering processes around data collection and cleaning, and engaging with the developer community through GitHub, social channels, and conference presentations.

The ideal candidate should have an MS in Computer Science or related field, 3+ years of experience, excellent Python skills, and demonstrated expertise in production model fine-tuning. You should be passionate about developer tools, self-motivated, and innovation-driven.

Working at Microsoft offers comprehensive benefits including healthcare, educational resources, savings and investments, parental leave, and opportunities for professional growth. The position is based in Zürich, Switzerland, requiring on-site presence, and offers the chance to work with cutting-edge AI technology in a fast-paced, supportive environment.