Principal Software Engineer

** Overview*
* The Microsoft Content team powers AI-driven experiences for more than 1B users across Copilot, Bing, Edge, Windows, and Xbox. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to define and lead the technical direction for the next generation of intelligent, large-scale content platforms.

In this role you will be responsible for shaping multi-year technical strategy, driving architectural coherence across organizations, and building systems that serve as foundational platforms for multiple product surfaces.

You will lead the design and evolution of distributed backend systems, cloud-native infrastructure, and data platforms that operate at global scale with strict requirements for availability, latency, security, and cost efficiency. These systems form the backbone for intelligent user experiences and must be designed for long-term extensibility and operational excellence.

Building on this foundation, you will guide the integration of LLM-powered capabilities into production systems-defining patterns for retrieval, orchestration, evaluation, and responsible AI. You will ensure these capabilities are not isolated features, but deeply embedded, reliable, and scalable parts of the platform.

This role requires exceptional technical judgment, the ability to operate in highly ambiguous spaces, and a track record of influencing across teams and organizations. You will work closely with engineering leaders, product leaders, and applied scientists to align technical investments with long-term business outcomes.

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.  

Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

** Responsibilities*
* + Technical Strategy & Architecture Leadership

+ Define and drive long-term technical strategy for large-scale distributed systems and platforms spanning multiple teams and organizations.

+ Establish architectural principles, patterns, and standards that ensure consistency, scalability, and maintainability across services.

+ Lead the design of system-of-systems architectures, integrating services, data, and AI capabilities into cohesive platforms.

+ Make high-impact technical decisions that balance innovation, risk, cost, and long-term sustainability.

+ Platform & Systems Ownership

+ Architect and evolve backend services, APIs, data infrastructure, and platform capabilities that operate at global scale.

+ Ensure systems meet stringent requirements for availability, latency, throughput, security, privacy, and cost efficiency.

+ Drive operational excellence through observability, resiliency design, incident management, and continuous improvement.

+ Identify and eliminate systemic inefficiencies across services, infrastructure, and development workflows.

+ AI Systems Integration & Evolution

+ Define how LLMs and intelligent systems are integrated into core platform architecture (not as isolated features).

+ Establish patterns for retrieval, grounding, orchestration, memory, and tool use in production systems.

+ Lead the design of evaluation frameworks for quality, safety, latency, reliability, and business impact.

+ Ensure responsible AI practices, including safety, privacy, and governance, are embedded into system design.

+ Cross-Org Influence & Execution

+ Influence technical direction across teams, organizations, and partner groups without direct authority.

+ Drive alignment between engineering, product, and applied science on platform strategy and execution.

+ Lead complex, multi-team initiatives from concept through delivery, ensuring clarity, momentum, and results.

+ Represent…