**The W+D Fundamentals team** is responsible for the reliability, performance, battery life and sustainability of Windows devices. Our work touches the full stack of hardware and OEM partners, the operating system as well as the application layers in order to protect, manage and improve the Fundamentals of the Windows ecosystem. We are seeking a self-driven **_Principal Software Engineer_** to help us shape the next wave of innovations as we pursue key advances in the areas of AI, silicon and software and usher the new Copilot+ PCs era. This role offers the opportunity to contribute as a mentor and leader across assorted business functions within the organization. If you love the pursuit of excellence and are inspired by the challenge of driving innovations that impact how the world lives, works and plays, then we invite you to an exciting opportunity to innovate, influence, transform, inspire and grow within the W+D Fundamentals Team. 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. In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. **Responsibilities** As a _Principal Software Engineer_ in the Windows Fundamentals team, you will work with partners from across the company to drive optimizations to the Windows device ecosystem. You will mentor members of the team and help them grow their technical expertise and communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with organization leaders, and work across a supportive group of like-minded architects across Windows to drive a culture of quality and Fundamentals in the organization. You will contribute your leadership and collaboration skills to help define or refine our overall business and technical vision, including the “architectural how” of building scalable architectures that achieve both great fundamentals and high engineering rigor. As the _Principal Software Engineer_ , you will also embody Microsoft Culture (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/corporate-values) and Values (https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/culture) . **Qualifications** **Required/Minimum Qualifications** + Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python + OR equivalent experience. + 5+ years of experience writing, debugging or analyzing system-level production software. **Additional or Preferred Qualifications** + 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 Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 10+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python + OR equivalent experience. + Experience working across multiple layers of the development stack, including kernel and user-mode development + Experience designing secure and scalable services on Azure or other cloud technologies + Ability to resolve ambiguities effectively, prioritize and drive projects to completion, prioritize between multiple needs and adapt to changing circumstances + Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to influence outcomes and drive technical content to general audiences + Strong coding, problem solving and debugging skills with great attention to detail + Experience collaborating/ability to collaborate with teams across different time zones and geographies Software Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $161,600 - $286,200 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 $209,600 - $314,400 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 Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 23, 2024. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .