Microsoft

Microsoft

Posted via Microsoft Careers

Principal Software Engineer

Posted Oct 22, 2026

Role at a glance

Job function
Software Engineering & IT Software Engineering
Salary
$188K – $304.2K/yr
Location
Multiple Locations, United States United States
Work arrangement
On-site
Employment
Full-time
Education
Required Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience...

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Role Summary

AI-generated

The Principal Software Engineer will lead architecture and technical strategy for Windows ML compiler technologies, execution runtimes, and hardware acceleration across CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs. The role focuses on advancing AI workload execution and platform capabilities on Windows.

What You'll Do

  • Define the technical vision, architecture, and roadmap for components of the Windows ML compiler stack.
  • Lead cross-team initiatives to improve AI workload performance, scalability, and efficiency across CPU, GPU, and NPU hardware.
  • Drive NPU enablement strategy and optimization techniques for next-generation AI processors.
  • Partner with hardware vendors and internal platform teams to influence future AI hardware and software capabilities.
  • Design and develop compiler infrastructure, execution engines, and developer tooling; address systems challenges including scheduling,...
  • Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across projects and organizations, while shaping strategy for on-device and generative...

Generated from the employer's posting. Verify important details before applying.

View full posting

Qualifications

Required: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience coding in listed programming languages, or equivalent experience.

Preferred

  • Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages...
  • 6+ years of experience working at low levels of software stack, device driver development, and/or integration of hardware and software
  • Deep knowledge with hands-on experience in ML compiler, tool, and platform technology.
  • 10+ years of experience delivering world-class system software.
  • In-depth experience and knowledge in operating system development in either user-mode or kernel-mode driver development.
  • A proven track record of significant technical leadership in research and development of AI platforms or frameworks technology.
  • Prior experience in the design and development of ML hardware microarchitecture in real-world products.
  • Proficient communication/customer interfacing skills and the ability to deal with ambiguity and prioritize issues.

Original job description

Content provided by the employer
View on company site
Overview
 
The Compute Graph Compiler (CGC) team within DirectX is building core compiler and execution technologies that power the Windows Machine Learning Platform. Our mission is to make Windows the best platform for AI development and deployment, enabling efficient execution of machine learning workloads across CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs from a broad ecosystem of silicon partners. CGC sits at the heart of the Windows ML ecosystem, powering experiences used by millions of developers and customers worldwide.
 
Our technologies enable computer vision, audio, video, gaming, and generative AI workloads across the Windows platform, including emerging AI-first experiences and next-generation Copilot+ PC capabilities. As AI becomes a fundamental platform shift, CGC is responsible for the compiler infrastructure, optimization frameworks, execution engines, and hardware abstractions that unlock the performance and efficiency of modern AI accelerators. We work closely with Microsoft AI platform teams, hardware partners, and operating system components to define the future of AI execution on Windows. 
 
We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help define and drive the next generation of AI compute infrastructure for Windows. In this role, you will lead architecture and technical strategy across compiler technologies, execution runtimes, and hardware acceleration platforms spanning CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs. You will influence the direction of Microsoft's AI platform, collaborate with industry-leading silicon partners, and drive innovations that enable efficient execution of increasingly complex AI workloads. This role is ideal for engineers who are energized by large-scale platform engineering, deep systems work, and the opportunity to shape technology that impacts millions of users and developers.
 
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
A successful candidate for this position will be one who: 
  • Define and drive the technical vision, architecture, and roadmap for key components of the Windows ML compiler stack.
  • Lead cross-team initiatives that improve AI workload performance, scalability, and efficiency across CPU, GPU, and NPU hardware.
  • Drive NPU enablement strategy and advanced optimization techniques for next-generation AI processors.
  • Partner with hardware vendors and internal platform teams to influence future AI hardware and software capabilities.
  • Design and develop high-performance compiler infrastructure, execution engines, and developer tooling.
  • Identify and solve complex systems challenges involving scheduling, memory management, code generation, graph optimization, and hardware abstraction.
  • Mentor and support engineers across experience levels and provide technical leadership across multiple projects and organizations.
  • Help shape Microsoft's long-term strategy for on-device AI and generative AI execution on Windows. 


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 Qualification:

  • Master'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++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
    • OR equivalent experience. 
  • 6+ years of experience working at low levels of software stack, device driver development, and/or integration of hardware and software
  • Deep knowledge with hands-on experience in ML compiler, tool, and platform technology.
  • 10+ years of experience delivering world-class system software.
  • In-depth experience and knowledge in operating system development in either user-mode or kernel-mode driver development.
  • A proven track record of significant technical leadership in research and development of AI platforms or frameworks technology.
  • Prior experience in the design and development of ML hardware microarchitecture in real-world products.
  • Proficient communication/customer interfacing skills and the ability to deal with ambiguity and prioritize issues.
#W+DJOBS 
#MLCompilers, #MLPlatform, #Runtime, #Kerneloptimizations

 



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.

Microsoft

About the company

Microsoft

Large Enterprise

Microsoft is a global technology leader that empowers individuals and organizations to achieve more through innovative software, services, and devices. Founded in 1975, the company is best known for its flagship products like the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite. In addition to personal computing, Microsoft is a leader in cloud computing with its Azure platform, providing a range of solutions for businesses to enhance productivity and efficiency. With a strong commitment to sustainability and accessibility, Microsoft continues to drive technological advancements that shape the future of work and learning.

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