Principal Software Engineer

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As a Principal Software Engineer on the Azure Kubernetes Service team, you will help shape the future of container management and orchestration services for the cloud and beyond. This team is responsible for the autoscaling technologies that support Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), enabling customers to run applications efficiently and reliably at any scale.

You will lead efforts to define the next generation of cloud-native infrastructure on Microsoft Azure, with a focus on elasticity, efficiency, and scalability. Your expertise will drive innovation in Kubernetes cluster autoscaling, using tools such as Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler, Karpenter, and Kubernetes-based Event Driven Autoscaling (KEDA). This role is ideal for individuals who are interested in solving large-scale distributed systems challenges and building autoscaling systems that simplify dynamic, scalable workloads in the cloud.

As a technical leader, you will collaborate across teams to deliver robust solutions, mentor engineers, and influence architectural decisions that improve the reliability and performance of Azure Kubernetes Service. Your contributions will help shape the future of cloud infrastructure and empower customers worldwide.

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.

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, Java Script or Python.
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience working with Kubernetes.
• 4+ years of experience working with Linux.

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 Qualifications:

• Bachelor'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++, Golang or Rust
  • OR 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++, Golang or Rust
  • OR equivalent experience.

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 10, 2025

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• Advance the capabilities of Kubernetes and auxiliary components on Azure.
• Improve quality of service for Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service.
• Accelerate development velocity for all engineers.
• Balance pragmatism with vision; deliver continuous improvements to the team’s process and codebase.
• Build automation to prevent and/or remediate service problems from becoming production incidents.