About this role

Overview The Microsoft 365 Copilot team is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help shape the next generation of long-running agentic capabilities and multi-model experiences in Microsoft 365 Copilot. You will build systems that enable agents to carry out complex, multi-step tasks and power multi-model experiences such as Critique and Council. Your work will enable models to review each other’s outputs and bring different perspectives together, helping people reach well-grounded conclusions.The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer and self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment and brings solid technical judgment, a data-driven mindset, and a passion for engineering excellence. You will take ideas from architecture to production, building scalable, reliable backend services that make long-running agents and multi-model experiences useful and dependable. Working with frontier models and collaborating closely with teams across Microsoft—including Microsoft Research, Azure, and MAI—you will turn emerging AI capabilities into meaningful customer experiences. You will own implementation, evaluations, shipping, and production reliability, pairing rapid iteration with rigorous engineering to deliver lasting customer impact.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 <div dir="ltr"><ul><li>Define technical strategy and architecture for long-running agentic capabilities and multi-model experiences in Microsoft 365 Copilot, translating direction into executable plans and measurable outcomes.</li><li>Build and own scalable distributed backend services powering experiences such as Critique and Council, remaining hands-on from design and implementation through shipping and production operation.</li><li>Define rigorous evaluation methodologies, offline benchmarks, and online experimentation frameworks to measure model and product performance, establish a high bar for quality, and guide data-driven iteration and release decisions.</li><li>Turn emerging AI capabilities into meaningful customer experiences, partnering across disciplines to clarify requirements, navigate ambiguity, and make sound technical tradeoffs.</li><li>Lead complex initiatives across teams and organizations, aligning stakeholders, defining interfaces and resolving dependencies, and balancing competing priorities.</li><li>Bring engineering best practices through mentoring, architecture and code reviews, reusable patterns, and maintainable software.</li><li>Champion responsible AI-assisted and agentic engineering, to improve dev agility, quality, learning, and speed.</li><li>Embody Microsoft’s culture and values, fostering inclusion, constructive collaboration, shared accountability, and continuous learning.</li></ul></div> Qualifications Required Qualifications:<ul><li>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, JavaScript, or Python <ul><li>OR equivalent experience.</li></ul></li></ul>Other Requirements: Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.Preferred Qualifications:<ul><li>Master’s degree in computer science or related technical field AND 6+ years or bachelor’s degree in computer science AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python <ul><li>OR equivalent experience.</li></ul></li><li>Experience designing, building, shipping, and operating large-scale distributed systems, cloud services, or complex production platforms.</li><li>Experience building production AI systems using large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, agent orchestration, tool integration, or model gateways.</li><li>Experience with AI evaluation and prompt management for production applications.</li><li>Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical initiatives, influence architectural decisions, drive engineering standards, and align teams across organizational boundaries through clear written and verbal communication.</li><li>Knowledge of Responsible AI and AI safety practices, including privacy, security, compliance, and data-governance requirements for enterprise AI systems.</li><li>Experience with modern AI and agentic engineering practices, including workflow automation and AI-assisted development.</li></ul>#CAP #Copilot Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: <a href="https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay">https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay</a> This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. <hr> Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about <a href="https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html">requesting accommodations.</a>