Principal Software Engineer - Web Platform

Job ID: 200050196Posted: 2026-08-21Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: USD $142,800 - $274,800 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 4 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Software EngineeringDiscipline: Software EngineeringCompany: MicrosoftOverviewSoftware engineers on the Microsoft AI Experiences - Edge Web Platform team build foundational technologies that shape how hundreds of millions of people experience the web and AI-powered computing. Edge operates at massive scale and extends beyond a traditional browser as a gateway to Microsoft's products and AI ecosystem. This role offers the opportunity to shape a widely used web platform by advancing its capabilities, performance, security, accessibility, and user experience. As a principal engineer on the Edge Web Platform team, you will help define and deliver foundational browser technologies and web platform capabilities spanning areas such as networking and navigation; media and storage; rendering and layout; web APIs and the JavaScript engine; privacy, security, and identity; and developer and application platforms. You will help drive web standards, collaborate with the broader standards and open-source communities, and deliver interoperable implementations that improve the web across Microsoft Edge and Chromium. You will work on initiatives central to Edge's web platform strategy, collaborating with standards bodies, open-source communities, other browser vendors, and teams across Microsoft to bring new capabilities to the platform. Success in this role requires depth in browser, runtime, or systems engineering; strong systems thinking; the ability to establish technical direction across organizational boundaries; and end-to-end ownership from exploration and prototyping through standardization and shipping. 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. Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50-mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction. ResponsibilitiesSet technical direction and drive high-quality architecture and API design across Edge, Chromium, and the broader web ecosystem. Deliver foundational web platform innovations grounded in customer, developer, and ecosystem needs, with a focus on correctness, performance, security, accessibility, and compatibility. Contribute directly to Chromium in areas that benefit Chromium-based browsers and the broader web community. Partner with standards bodies, open-source communities, browser vendors, and internal teams to advance interoperable web capabilities. Provide technical leadership and mentorship, raising the bar for engineering quality, design, and cross-team execution on complex and ambiguous problems. QualificationsRequired 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++ and/or Rust OR equivalent experience.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:Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or PythonOR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or PythonOR equivalent experience.Experience contributing to large-scale software engineering projects. Experience designing or implementing browser, runtime, operating-system, or other performance-critical systems. Experience with the Chromium codebase and web standards, or with comparable browser or runtime systems. Demonstrated technical leadership across teams or organizations on complex, cross-cutting initiatives. Strong design, coding, debugging, and performance-analysis skills in C++ or a comparable systems-programming language. #MicrosoftAI 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:This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.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 requesting accommodations.