OverviewThe Azure Storage Data Access team is seeking a talented and highly motivated Senior Software Engineer to help design, build, and operate the next generation of Azure Blob Storage's secure, globally accessible data plane and backend. Azure Storage is a highly available, scalable, and globally distributed storage system that hosts exabytes of customer data across the world. The Data Access team owns the foundational capabilities that enable customers, services, AI applications, and intelligent agents to access data securely, reliably, and efficiently. The Data Access team is responsible for core data access and security technologies, including but not limited to, authentication, authorization, network security, and encryption.We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer who is passionate about building foundational systems at cloud scale and transforming Azure Storage's security capabilities to meet the evolving needs of AI-driven and mission-critical enterprise workloads. In this role, you will work on some of the most challenging problems in cloud computing, helping make Azure Storage secure by default, performance-adaptive, operationally transparent, and ready for the next generation of AI applications. Your contributions will directly shape the future of secure data access by enabling customers to protect and access data consistently across regions, optimize performance for diverse workloads, and operate with predictable reliability at global scale. You will help build platform capabilities that support modern enterprise applications as well as next-generation AI application, including training, inferencing, checkpointing, agentic workflows, and globally distributed data processing.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.ResponsibilitiesTake full end-to-end ownership of security features that enable efficient, highly secure access patterns to Azure StorageLeverage AI-assisted engineering tools to improve productivity, code quality, troubleshooting effectiveness, test coverage, and operational efficiencyCollaborate with engineers, product managers, and external and internal stakeholders to define and deliver new functionalityLead the design, implementation, testing, and deployment of cloud-scale servicesAct as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) and contribute to operational excellence and service healthContinuously improve service availability, observability, scalability, and performanceQualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, or C# OR equivalent experienceOther 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 thereafterPreferred Qualifications:Master'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++, or C# OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, or C# OR equivalent experienceExperience with cloud storage systems, object storage, distributed file systems, or high-scale data plane servicesExperience with authentication, authorization, identity systems, RBAC (role-based access control), ABAC (attribute-based access control), token-based authentication, network security, encryption, or policy enforcementExperience with performance-sensitive backend services, including low-latency request paths, caching, concurrency, scale-out architectures, and high-throughput systemsExperience building highly available services with strong observability, diagnostics, automated mitigation, deployment safety, and operational excellenceExperience using AI-assisted engineering tools to improve development velocity, code quality, debugging, testing, and service operations #azurecorejobs Software Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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-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.