Principal Software Engineer--M365 Storage Team

AI-Native Systems, Storage & Data Platform Architecture We are seeking a highly technical Principal Software Engineer to drive the next generation of AI-native architecture across critical storage, database, and distributed system components. This role will lead the modernization and transformation of foundational platform technologies that power large-scale cloud services and AI workloads. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in systems programming, storage architecture, distributed databases, and high-performance service design. They combine strong critical thinking with an AI-native mindset, leveraging AI not only as a productivity tool, but as a catalyst to fundamentally rethink system architecture, engineering workflows, performance optimization, reliability, and operational excellence. This role requires both hands-on technical depth and strategic influence, shaping technologies that operate at hyperscale while delivering industry-leading reliability, scalability, efficiency, and latency characteristics. 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.

System Architecture & Platform Leadership Lead the architecture, design, and evolution of large-scale distributed storage, database, and data platform systems. Drive modernization of critical platform components to support next-generation AI and Copilot workloads. Re-architect legacy services and infrastructure using AI-native design principles. Define long-term technical strategy and architectural direction across multiple services and teams. Identify and eliminate architectural bottlenecks impacting scalability, reliability, performance, and operational efficiency. Systems Programming & Performance Engineering Design and implement highly efficient systems-level software in languages such as C++, Rust, C#, Go, or similar. Drive end-to-end performance optimization across storage engines, networking, caching, concurrency control, and data access layers. Solve complex challenges involving high concurrency, low latency, throughput optimization, and resource efficiency. Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of difficult production issues involving distributed systems and storage infrastructure. Establish engineering standards and best practices for performance-critical software development. Storage & Database Innovation Design and optimize storage engines, database architectures, replication technologies, indexing systems, and data management frameworks. Lead innovation in areas such as: High availability and disaster recovery Data durability and consistency Replication and synchronization Metadata management Query optimization Storage efficiency and cost optimization Intelligent caching and tiering Drive architectural improvements that enable large-scale AI and retrieval-driven workloads. AI-Native Transformation Champion AI-native engineering practices across architecture, development, testing, and operations. Apply AI-assisted approaches to system design, performance analysis, reliability engineering, and operational automation. Identify opportunities to redesign products and platforms around emerging AI capabilities instead of incrementally enhancing legacy models. Build frameworks and workflows that integrate AI into engineering decision-making and operational management. Influence the organization's AI transformation strategy through thought leadership and technical innovation.

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, C++, C#, Java,