Principal Software Engineer - Architect

Microsoft's Substrate team is seeking a Principal Software Engineer - Architect to join their Directory team, which is crucial to Microsoft 365 cloud business offerings. This role focuses on directory services that enable user access and inter-machine communication within Substrate, working closely with Azure Active Directory. The position offers an opportunity to work on planetary-scale distributed services that impact thousands of businesses and millions of users worldwide.

The role combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering, requiring expertise in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and microservices architecture. You'll be responsible for driving critical objectives across multiple teams, mentoring other engineers, and making key architectural decisions that shape the future of Substrate's directory services.

The compensation is highly competitive, with base pay ranging from $161,600 to $314,400 depending on location, particularly higher in the San Francisco Bay area and New York City. Microsoft offers comprehensive benefits including healthcare, educational resources, and parental leave.

This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges at scale, values customer success, and can thrive in a collaborative, global environment. The role requires both technical excellence and leadership skills, as you'll be instrumental in replacing core technology while ensuring continuous service delivery.

Working at Microsoft means joining a company with a growth mindset and a mission to empower others. The position offers the flexibility of up to 100% remote work, with some travel required (0-25%). You'll be part of a culture that values inclusion, respect, and innovation, working on technology that impacts millions of users globally.