OverviewWe are looking to hire a Software Development Consultant to join Microsoft Federal.The Microsoft Federal organization was established to address the unique mission, legal/regulatory requirements, and procurement rules and processes of the United States Government (USG). Microsoft Federal is committed to ensuring its resources—including appropriately qualified, experienced, and certified personnel (with necessary security clearances or eligibility)—are available as needed to meet evolving USG needs.As a Software Development Consultant, you will work as part of a delivery team supporting federal customers by contributing to software development, integration, and modernization efforts.This role is intended for an early‑career engineer who is eager to learn, build hands‑on experience, and grow technical depth across cloud platforms, software development practices, and secure environments.This position provides exposure to real‑world customer scenarios, mentorship from senior engineers, and opportunities to develop foundational skills in cloud‑native development, DevOps, and secure application delivery. 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.ResponsibilitiesContribute as a Cloud Engineering or delivery team supporting Microsoft Federal customersAssist in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software components and servicesDevelop and enhance backend services or APIs using supported languages and frameworks under guidanceSupport integration with Azure services such as storage, messaging, and identity componentsParticipate in building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment processesAssist with troubleshooting and resolving development, build, or environment issuesFollow established secure coding standards and development best practicesParticipate in code reviews, sprint planning, and team ceremoniesLearn and apply cloud‑native and containerized development patterns over timeDocument work and contribute to team knowledge sharingGrowth & Development: You will receive coaching and mentorship from experienced engineers and have opportunities to deepen your skills in areas such as:Azure cloud development and servicesSecure software development for government environmentsDevOps and automationDistributed systems and cloud‑native architecturesEmbody our culture and values.QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, Business, or related field 1+ year(s) work experience in relevant area of business OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements Security Clearance Requirements: Candidates must be able 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: The successful candidate must have an active U.S. Government TOP SECRET/SCI Security Clearance.Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.Failure to maintain or obtain the appropriate clearance and/or customer screening requirements may result in employment action up to and including termination.Clearance Verification:This position requires successful verification of the stated security clearance to meet federal government customer requirements. You will be asked to provide clearance verification information prior to an offer of employment. Microsoft Cloud Background Check:This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of U.S. citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local United States government agency customer and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, citizenship will be verified via a valid passport, or other approved documents, or verified US government Clearance Preferred/Additional Qualifications:1–3 years of professional experience in software development, engineering, or a related technical disciplineBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)Familiarity with at least one modern programming language such as C#, Python, or JavaScript/TypeScriptBasic understanding of cloud concepts, preferably within Microsoft AzureExposure to source control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflowsWillingness to learn infrastructure‑as‑code concepts (e.g., Bicep, ARM, Terraform) under guidanceFamiliarity with REST APIs and service‑based application design conceptsInterest in DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software delivery practicesAbility to work effectively in a team environment and communicate clearly with peers and stakeholdersEligibility to work on U.S. Government projects (including the ability to obtain a security clearance, if required) Technology Consulting IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $77,900 - $156,200 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 $100,800 - $169,200 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.