The Principal Engineer - Windows Cloud role focuses on leading the architecture, design, and development of large-scale client applications that enhance remote desktop experiences for millions of users. The team is dedicated to redefining the intersection of local and cloud computing, ensuring high performance, security, and reliability. This position emphasizes the use of modern technologies such as C#, C++, TypeScript, and AI-assisted development tools. The engineer will collaborate with various teams to translate customer needs into robust engineering solutions.

• 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.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
• 9+ years of experience designing, building, and shipping large-scale software products, client platforms, or cloud-connected services.
• 8+ years of object-oriented development experience with deep proficiency in one or more languages such as C++, C#, or Java.
• Proven expertise designing and developing high-performance client applications or distributed systems.
• Strong software architecture and systems design skills.
• Experience building or contributing to remote computing, desktop virtualization, or VDI platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical direction across multiple engineers or teams.
• Passion for mentoring and growing engineers.
• Ability to create clarity in ambiguous technical spaces.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to quickly ramp up on complex systems.
• Expertise in Windows platform development, including technologies such as COM, WinRT, and core Windows OS APIs.
• Experience building hybrid desktop applications that combine native and web technologies.
• Familiarity with telemetry-driven development and data-informed engineering practices.
• Experience working with large-scale enterprise products that serve millions of users.

• Lead the architecture, design, and development of large-scale client applications for remote desktop experiences.
• Define the long-term technical direction for the client platform using modern technologies.
• Drive innovation in client experiences that bridge local and remote computing environments.
• Partner with Product Management, Design, and platform teams to translate customer scenarios into engineering solutions.
• Lead complex cross-team initiatives spanning Windows OS integration, networking, identity, and cloud services.
• Establish engineering best practices around performance, reliability, accessibility, and security.
• Champion AI-assisted software development for coding, debugging, testing, and design.
• Guide the team in adopting emerging AI-powered developer workflows.
• Own critical areas of client architecture and ensure reliability through telemetry-driven development.
• Mentor engineers and technical leaders across the organization.

• Employees at Microsoft are often offered comprehensive, “world-class” benefits—including health and mental-wellness programs, competitive pay with bonuses and stock awards, and retirement/savings options. Time-off and flexibility are common, with generous vacation and holidays, parental and caregiver leave, and flexible work schedules, alongside learning support, employee resource groups, product discounts, and matching-gifts/volunteering programs. Specific benefits can vary by region.