Senior Software Engineer - C++

Job ID: 200052126Posted: 2026-09-11Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: USD $119,800 - $234,700 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Software EngineeringDiscipline: Software EngineeringCompany: MicrosoftOverviewSecurity represents the most critical priorities for our customers in a world awash in digital threats, regulatory scrutiny, and estate complexity. Microsoft Security aspires to make the world a safer place for all. We want to reshape security and empower every user, customer, and developer with a security cloud that protects them with end to end, simplified solutions. The Microsoft Security organization accelerates Microsoft’s mission and bold ambitions to ensure that our company and industry is securing digital technology platforms, devices, and clouds in our customers’ heterogeneous environments, as well as ensuring the security of our own internal estate. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world.We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer with proficient system-programming, operating-system, and networking expertise. In the role, you will lead complex endpoint initiatives and gain broad experience across user-mode services, kernel-mode components, and cloud-connected security systems to join to the Global Secure Access Client team.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.ResponsibilitiesLead the design and development of secure, reliable, and performance Global Secure Access endpoint components, using C/C++ or Rust. Own complex, ambiguous problem areas spinning operating-systems internals, kernel-mode development, user-mode services, computer networking and cloud integration. Use proficient networking knowledge to design secure traffic-handling solutions and lead investigations of complex connectivity issues across the networking stack. Make architectural tradeoffs involving security, performance, compatibility, maintainability, observability, and safe deployment across diverse customer environments. Collaborate with endpoint, identity, security, and cloud-service teams to define interfaces, align technical direction, and deliver cohesive end-to-end experiences. Raise engineering standards through design and code reviews, threat modeling, automated testing, production diagnostics, and mentoring other engineers. Embody our culture and valuesQualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, 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:3+ years of experience with computer networking, including protocols such as IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, or TLS. 3+ years of experience developing software involving Windows internals, kernel-mode components, device drivers, or low-level operating-system APIs. 3+ years of experience developing or debugging systems software using C, C++, or Rust, including applying secure development, concurrency, memory-management, and performance principles.Experience leading the design and delivery of complex systems software across multiple components or engineering teams. Experience developing Windows kernel-mode drivers or networking components using technologies such as Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) or Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS). Experience diagnosing complex production issues using debuggers, crash dumps, traces, packet captures, and telemetry. Experience designing endpoint software for large enterprise deployments, including compatibility, performance, reliability, observability, and safe rollout considerations.#MSFTSecurity GSAClientSoftware Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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.