The Principal Software Engineer role at VS Code involves tackling complex product and platform challenges to enhance the developer environment. The team operates openly, integrating feedback from developers and extension authors while collaborating with engineers, designers, and product leaders across Microsoft and GitHub. The focus is on evolving VS Code and GitHub Copilot by addressing architectural bottlenecks, defining APIs, and improving engineering processes. This position emphasizes hands-on technical leadership and mentorship to drive significant product opportunities and systemic engineering solutions.

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, or Rust.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience with a track record of architecting and delivering complex production software.
• Demonstrated technical leadership across multiple teams.
• Hands-on coding and design skills in large TypeScript and Rust codebases.
• Experience designing shared platforms, APIs, or large application architectures.
• Clear communication skills for explaining complex technical decisions.

• Identify significant product opportunities and systemic engineering problems.
• Prove approaches through prototypes and critical implementation.
• Lead cross-team delivery across Microsoft and GitHub.
• Own outcomes beyond release using adoption and user feedback.
• Improve engineering effectiveness across teams through shared design patterns and tools.
• Lead technical discussions in the open and investigate community-reported issues.
• Mentor senior engineers and technical leaders.

• 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.