Principal Software Engineer - MAI Security and Privacy, Microsoft AI

As Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI, we are on the lookout for passionate individuals to work with us on the most interesting and challenging AI questions of our time. Our vision is bold and broad — to build systems that have true artificial intelligence across agents, applications, services, and infrastructure.   

Security Engineering for Copilot is focused on building and securing systems that accelerate this process by making it easy and safe to incorporate more data and functionality that would otherwise be too scary/risky to do.   

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to identify areas of risk and opportunity, then design and build solutions in Copilot, making the product and its platform more secure. This can include everything from secure coding standards, to API design, to infrastructure, sandboxing, automated testing/fuzzing, application security and intrusion detection. A key skill is the judgment to make the right risk vs velocity and value decisions. 

You will possess a methodical approach to problem-solving, proficiency in backend technologies, and the ability to architect solutions that stand the test of time. You will be skilled is the ability  

You will possess a methodical approach to problem-solving, proficiency in backend technologies, a familiarity with applied AI and its unique security challenges, and the ability to architect solutions that stand the test of time. Many problems in this space have not been solved before! The right candidate is hands-on and enjoys building world-class consumer experiences and products in a fast-paced environment.   

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

• Build secure and performant AI Platform services that power Copilot. 

• Solve novel security and privacy problems at the frontier of applied AI and agential systems. 

• Work collaboratively with other Platform, infrastructure, application engineers as well as AI Researchers to build next generation AI products and services.  

• Ship high-quality, well-tested, secure, and maintainable code.   

• Find a path to get things done despite roadblocks to get your work into the hands of users quickly and iteratively.   

• Enjoy working in a fast-paced, design-driven, product development cycle.  

• Embody our Culture and Values.   

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, or related technical discipline AND 6+ years technical engineering experience building systems with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, C#, C++, Golang, Rust, Java  
  • OR equivalent experience.  
• 6+ years' experience building scalable services and/or securing applications and infrastructure on top of public cloud infrastructure like Azure, AWS, or GCP. Extensive use datastores like RDBMS, key-value stores, etc.  
• 6+ years' experience building distributed systems at scale and extensive systems knowledge that spans bare-metal hosts to containers to networking.   
• Familiarity with novel classes of attacks on AI-powered systems 

• Experience working with AI platforms, frameworks, and APIs.   
• Staying up to date with the latest research into attacks and defenses for AI-powered systems. 
• Experience using Machine Learning frameworks, including experience using, deploying, and scaling language learning models, either personally or professionally.   
• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical issues, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and user experience.  
• Dedication to writing clean, maintainable, and well-documented code with a focus on application quality, performance, and security.  
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and other engineers.   
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.  
• Passion for learning new technologies and staying up to date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in web development and AI.  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing requirements and deadlines.  
• Proven ability to collaborate and contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment, fostering knowledge sharing and growth within the team. 

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 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 $180,400 - $294,000 per year.

Software Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $161,600 - $286,200 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 $209,600 - $314,400 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 and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.