New

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft
$139,900.00 - $274,800.00 / yr
United States, Texas, Irving
7000 State Highway 161 (Show on map)
Jan 14, 2026
Overview Microsoft Azure is developing one of the fastest networks in the public cloud. We are looking for individuals with a interest in kernel technologies, software development, and network systems who enjoy taking ideas from concept to production. The Azure Host Software-Defined Accelerated Networking (SDAN) team builds the host platform that enables Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controllers to perform packet manipulation and virtualization at high speeds. This includes developing platform drivers and managing the underlying hardware to support network acceleration as speeds scale from 40 gigabits per second to 400 gigabits per second and beyond. As a Principal Software Engineer on the Azure Host Networking team, you will deliver software-defined networking capabilities using technologies such as Single Root Input/Output Virtualization (SRIOV), Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK), Linux network acceleration, Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), and containers. You will work with state-of-the-art hardware acceleration to build reliable, high-performance, cloud-scale SDN solutions that support diverse scenarios across industries including finance and artificial intelligence. Collaboration with other Microsoft teams, hardware partners, and Linux distribution communities will be essential. This role offers opportunities for technical leadership and innovation in a fast-paced environment. You will contribute to the evolution of cloud networking and help shape the future of infrastructure at scale. 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 Partners with appropriate stakeholders to determine user requirements for a set of scenarios. Leads identification of dependencies and the development of design documents for a product, application, service, or platform. Leads by example and mentors others to produce extensible and maintainable code used across products.Leverages subject-matter expertise of cross-product features with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., project managers) to drive multiple group's project plans, release plans, and work items. Holds accountability as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI), mentoring engineers across products/solutions, working on-call to monitor system/product/service for degradation, downtime, or interruptions. Proactively seeks new knowledge and adapts to new trends, technical solutions, and patterns that will improve the availability, reliability, efficiency, observability, and performance of products while also driving consistency in monitoring and operations at scale and shares knowledge with other engineers. 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 or C++ OR equivalent experience. 5+ years experience with Windows Server OS or Linux networking stack internals. 5+ years experience with performance optimization of systems software. Other Qualifications: 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 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C or C++ 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 or C++ OR equivalent experience. 5+ years experience with Hyper-V and network virtualization subsystems. #azurecorejobs 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 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.