Overview

Microsoft Rewards is Microsoft's loyalty platform that powers engagement experiences across Bing, Edge, Xbox, Microsoft Store, and other Microsoft products. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and evolution of full-stack experiences and platform capabilities that serve millions of customers worldwide.

In this role, you will drive the technical strategy and execution of highly scalable customer-facing applications, backend services, APIs, and supporting platform infrastructure. You will partner closely with product, design, and engineering teams to deliver innovative experiences that increase customer engagement, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate business growth.

As a Senior Technical Leader, you will own complex cross-organizational initiatives end-to-end, influence architectural direction across multiple systems, and establish engineering excellence through technical leadership, mentorship, and operational rigor. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise across modern web technologies, cloud services, distributed systems, and data-driven product development with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

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

Architect and deliver end-to-end solutions across frontend, backend, APIs, and cloud platforms.
Lead the development of highly scalable, reliable, secure, and accessible customer experiences.
Drive technical strategy and architecture for complex, cross-team initiatives.
Partner with product, design, and data teams to translate business goals into technical solutions.
Improve engineering velocity, service reliability, observability, and operational excellence.
Mentor engineers and raise the technical bar across the organization.
Champion modern engineering practices, security, privacy, accessibility, and AI-powered development.
Use experimentation and data insights to optimize customer engagement and product outcomes.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor'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 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:

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 10+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python

- OR equivalent experience.

Deep expertise in modern web technologies (React, TypeScript, Next.js or comparable frameworks).

Solid backend and distributed systems experience using cloud-native architectures.

Experience building large-scale consumer-facing products and services.

Proven ability to lead complex cross-organizational initiatives from concept through delivery.

Solid technical leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

#MicrosoftAI

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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.

About the company

Microsoft builds workplace software, operating systems and cloud infrastructure for consumers, businesses and government agencies, from small organizations to global enterprises. Microsoft 365 combines Word and Excel with Teams communication and Copilot AI features, while Windows runs PCs and Surface supplies the company's own computers. Azure rents computing capacity, storage and databases to build and run web applications. Microsoft also sells Xbox consoles and games, collecting revenue through software licenses, subscriptions, usage charges and product sales. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Redmond, Washington

Founded

1975

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

US corporate staff receive education support: eligible, approved graduate coursework qualifies for up to $10,000 annually.
Cloud demand expands: July 2026 results showed Azure and other cloud services revenue grew 43% year-over-year in fiscal Q4.
Investment has an earnings cushion: July 2026 results reported $155.2 billion consolidated operating profit for fiscal 2026.

What critics are saying

Performance reviews include security: every Microsoft employee must discuss their security contribution with their manager.
Office flexibility depends on the role: Microsoft's postings specify requirements ranging from fully remote to fully on-site.
Cloud capacity faces local limits: Microsoft describes power-grid delays and water constraints affecting US datacenter expansion.

What makes Microsoft unique

Hybrid customers stay within reach: Azure Arc manages servers across customer datacenters and competing clouds.
Developer reach extends beyond Azure: Microsoft's GitHub hosts code collaboration alongside AI coding tools.
Professional data widens its business: Microsoft owns LinkedIn's recruiting, advertising and workplace-learning network.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options

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Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer

About the job

About the company

Get referred to Microsoft

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

What critics are saying

What makes Microsoft unique

Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth