Senior Software Engineer
Microsoft
Azure Core Compute hosts are the foundation of Microsoft’s cloud. This role operates at a security‑critical boundary spanning the control plane, host operating system (OS), system on a chip (SoC) and baseboard management controller (BMC), and tenant workloads. The position carries direct responsibility for reducing blast radius, eliminating ungoverned execution, and delivering high‑precision detections that reflect real attacker behavior.
As a Software Engineer IC3 on the Node and Host Security team, you will design, build, and operate production‑grade security controls that govern what can run on Azure hosts, harden privileged boundaries, and detect compromise early. The role also focuses on improving incident routing quality and strengthening operational response through practical, deployable solutions.
This is a hands‑on engineering role rather than a policy‑only or advisory position. You will ship code, own detections, close security risks, and operate the systems you build, with accountability for outcomes in production environments.
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
- Design, build, and operate security features for Azure Compute hosts, focused on protecting privileged execution and reducing blast radius.
- Develop high-signal security detections for abnormal process, network, and system behavior, and continuously improve their accuracy and reliability.
- Replace ad-hoc or script-based privileged actions with secure, audited, and well-defined APIs and workflows.
- Strengthen security boundaries between cloud control systems and host machines by enforcing authorization, validation, and auditing.
- Improve the security of secrets and certificates, including safer provisioning and rotation practices.
- Diagnose and fix production security issues, participate in on-call rotations, and apply lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
- Partner with engineers across platform, infrastructure, and security teams to deliver end-to-end security improvements.Create and maintain clear technical documentation for designs, operations, and security reviews.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, Go, or Rust
- OR equivalent experience.
- 2+ years of experience building or operating distributed or platform-level systems.
- 2+years of experience with security, reliability, or production diagnostics.
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
- Master'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 Bachelor'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 equivalent experience.
- 2+ years Experience working with system telemetry, monitoring, or detections.
#azurecorejobs
Software Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $158,400 - $258,000 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.