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Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer

full-timePosted: Aug 26, 2026Updated: Aug 27, 2026Redmond, WA, US

Job Description

OverviewMicrosoft is a company where passionate innovators come to collaborate, envision what can be and take their careers further. This is a world of more possibilities, more innovation, more openness, and the sky is the limit thinking in a cloud-enabled world. Microsoft’s Azure Data engineering team is leading the transformation of analytics in the world of data with products like databases, data integration, big data analytics, messaging & real-time analytics, and business intelligence. The products our portfolio include Microsoft Fabric, Azure SQL DB, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure PostgreSQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Service Bus, Azure Event Grid, and Power BI. Our mission is to build the data platform for the age of AI, powering a new class of data-first applications and driving a data culture. Within Azure Data, the databases team builds and maintains Microsoft's operational Database systems. We store and manage data in a structured way to enable multitude of applications across various industries. We are on a journey to enable developer friendly, mission-critical, AI enabled operational Databases across relational, non-relational and OSS offerings. We are hiring a Principal Software Engineer to join the Azure PostgreSQL Horizon DB storage team. The HorizonDB Storage team builds and operates the core durable storage layer for Azure HorizonDB, Microsoft’s next‑generation cloud‑native PostgreSQL service. This team is responsible for ensuring data durability, correctness, performance, scalability, and cost efficiency across a disaggregated compute‑storage architecture that operates at scale. We do not just value differences or different perspectives. We seek them out and invite them in so we can tap into the collective power of everyone in the company. As a result, our customers are better served. ResponsibilitiesOversees overall system architecture for a critically important and high-impact space such as a connection with deep technical domains or a broad set of products or services at critical junctures (e.g., early in development, urgent time horizon). Creates a strategic roadmap for the system architecture by considering how related systems will evolve in the near future. Ensures architecture design is appropriately authored, documented, and reviewed. Establishes, influences, and ensures policies and procedures for developing extensible, reusable, and maintainable code, identifying and addressing coding issues, and conducting effective code reviews for a critically important and high-impact space such as those with deep technical domains connections or a broad set of products or services at critical junctures (e.g., early in development, urgent time horizon). Writes proof of concept code as needed and may develop code directly as needed. Maintain operations of live service as issues arise on a rotational, on-call basis. Embody our culture and values QualificationsRequired/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. Job Requirements: Other & Additional 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 8+ years of experience in developing and shipping system level features in an enterprise production backend server system. 2+ years of experience building and supporting distributed cloud services with production grade. Experience with internals of PostgreSQL or similar Enterprise Database Management system, including Query processing, Storage Engine and High Availability. Experience building Distributed Systems with strong guarantees. Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems. Solve problems by always leading with deep passion and empathy for customers. Have a deep desire to work collaboratively, solve problems with groups, find win/win solutions and celebrate successes. #azdat #azuredata #HorizonDB #postgresql 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-payThis 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.

Locations

  • Redmond, WA, US

Salary

142,800 - 274,800 USD / yearly

Skills Required

  • coding in languages includingintermediate
  • developingintermediate
  • internals of PostgreSQLintermediate
  • Distributed Systems with strong guaranteesintermediate

Required 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. (experience, 6 years)
  • 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. (experience, 6 years)
  • 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: (experience)
  • This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. (experience)
  • This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. (experience)

Preferred Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in developing and shipping system level features in an enterprise production backend server system. (experience, 8 years)
  • 2+ years of experience building and supporting distributed cloud services with production grade. (experience, 2 years)
  • 8+ years of experience in developing and shipping system level features in an enterprise production backend server system. (experience, 8 years)
  • Experience with internals of PostgreSQL or similar Enterprise Database Management system, including Query processing, Storage Engine and High Availability. (experience)
  • Experience with internals of PostgreSQL or similar Enterprise Database Management system, including Query processing, Storage Engine and High Availability. (experience)
  • Experience building Distributed Systems with strong guarantees. (experience)
  • Experience building Distributed Systems with strong guarantees. (experience)
  • Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems. (experience)
  • Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems. (experience)
  • Solve problems by always leading with deep passion and empathy for customers. (experience)
  • Solve problems by always leading with deep passion and empathy for customers. (experience)
  • Have a deep desire to work collaboratively, solve problems with groups, find win/win solutions and celebrate successes. (experience)
  • Have a deep desire to work collaboratively, solve problems with groups, find win/win solutions and celebrate successes. (experience)
  • #azdat #azuredata #HorizonDB #postgresql (experience)
  • 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. (experience)
  • 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 (experience)
  • This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Oversees overall system architecture for a critically important and high-impact space such as a connection with deep technical domains or a broad set of products or services at critical junctures (e.g., early in development, urgent time horizon).
  • Oversees overall system architecture for a critically important and high-impact space such as a connection with deep technical domains or a broad set of products or services at critical junctures (e.g., early in development, urgent time horizon).
  • Creates a strategic roadmap for the system architecture by considering how related systems will evolve in the near future. Ensures architecture design is appropriately authored, documented, and reviewed.
  • Creates a strategic roadmap for the system architecture by considering how related systems will evolve in the near future. Ensures architecture design is appropriately authored, documented, and reviewed.
  • Establishes, influences, and ensures policies and procedures for developing extensible, reusable, and maintainable code, identifying and addressing coding issues, and conducting effective code reviews for a critically important and high-impact space such as those with deep technical domains connections or a broad set of products or services at critical junctures (e.g., early in development, urgent time horizon). Writes proof of concept code as needed and may develop code directly as needed.
  • Establishes, influences, and ensures policies and procedures for developing extensible, reusable, and maintainable code, identifying and addressing coding issues, and conducting effective code reviews for a critically important and high-impact space such as those with deep technical domains connections or a broad set of products or services at critical junctures (e.g., early in development, urgent time horizon). Writes proof of concept code as needed and may develop code directly as needed.
  • Maintain operations of live service as issues arise on a rotational, on-call basis.
  • Maintain operations of live service as issues arise on a rotational, on-call basis.
  • Embody our culture and values

Benefits

  • general: Flexibility: Balance what matters—your work, your life, and your team—through trust, autonomy, and shared accountability
  • general: Growth: Stretch your skills, expand your impact, and grow with support that meets you where you are
  • general: Wellbeing: Support for your body, mind, and financial future—so you can stay energized and do your best work
  • general: Community PCS: Find your people, build your network, and feel supported every step of the way

Travel Requirements

Less than 25%

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