Join a dynamic team focused on enhancing the core of Windows devices. We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to spearhead the technical vision for critical data and service capabilities within Windows Fundamentals. This role is pivotal in shaping architecture across backend services, telemetry, data pipelines, and diagnostic workflows, tackling the most complex technical challenges and driving significant improvements in Windows health at a massive scale. Ideal candidates possess deep technical leadership, expertise in distributed systems and data platforms, strong product judgment, and a passion for hands-on problem-solving, with the ability to inspire and align engineering teams across diverse organizational boundaries. Microsoft is committed to empowering every individual and organization, fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and inclusion where collaboration and accountability drive shared success.

Define the technical strategy and architecture for Windows Fundamentals' backend services, telemetry, data pipelines, and diagnostic capabilities. Lead the design and implementation of scalable systems for telemetry ingestion, transformation, and analysis. Establish technical standards for service reliability, security, privacy, and operational excellence. Conduct complex investigations involving large-scale telemetry and systems debugging. Drive architectural simplifications and automation, including AI-assisted capabilities, to proactively detect and resolve issues, and enhance engineering efficiency. Utilize data and customer insights to frame ambiguous problems, manage technical risks, and deliver measurable outcomes. Act as a technical authority, mentor senior engineers, lead design reviews, and influence stakeholders across Windows engineering, data science, and partner organizations.

A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field, coupled with at least 10 years of technical engineering experience, including proficiency in languages like C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Extensive experience architecting and deploying backend services, distributed systems, data pipelines, and large-scale telemetry platforms is essential. Demonstrated success in leading complex, multi-team technical initiatives and delivering highly reliable production systems at scale. Possess deep technical judgment in service architecture, systems design, data engineering, security, reliability, debugging, and engineering trade-offs. Strong programming and hands-on problem-solving skills are required, enabling effective contribution across architecture, implementation, investigation, and operational response. The ability to set technical strategy, navigate ambiguity, prioritize investments, and influence decisions across organizational boundaries without direct authority is crucial. Deep expertise in cloud services, distributed systems, data engineering, telemetry platforms, or business-critical production operations is expected. Familiarity with Windows Fundamentals, Windows internals, reliability engineering, performance analysis, or system-level diagnostics is beneficial. Experience designing secure, compliant services with robust observability, deployment controls, and data quality practices is a plus. Proven track record of influencing architecture and product strategy, applying automation or AI to engineering workflows, mentoring senior engineers, and collaborating effectively with executive and senior technical stakeholders.