Overview
Microsoft 365 Copilot is a groundbreaking productivity experience powered by large language models, Microsoft Graph, user data, and the web. At the heart of this innovation is the M365 Copilot Platform, which designs and operates the agent runtime and shared platform capabilities that enable Copilot experiences to scale consistently across M365 spanning Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Our team is building a modular, event‑driven platform that raises the bar for agility, reliability, and composability across every Copilot experience.
We are looking for a Principal Software Engineering Manager to help lead the delivery of the next generation of the M365 Copilot Platform. In this role, you will own the technical direction and execution of critical platform investments, including core runtime capabilities, real‑time multimodal orchestration, long‑running task durability, and self‑serve partner tooling that unlocks safe, rapid innovation across the Copilot ecosystem.
As a Principal Software Engineering Manager, you will lead and grow a team of engineers while remaining deeply engaged in technical decision‑making. You will set architectural direction, drive design reviews, and ensure high‑quality execution across platform services that other agents and teams depend on. You will partner closely with PM and cross‑functional stakeholders to translate platform strategy into clear roadmaps, deliverables, and outcomes that scale across first‑party, flagship, and third‑party agents.
In this role, you are expected to bring a deep understanding of distributed systems and platform design, and apply those principles to build high‑quality, observable, and resilient services. You will ensure the platform adheres to M365 Core engineering standards, is delivered with the right guardrails, and continuously earns customer trust through reliability and correctness.
This role offers the opportunity to operate at the** **core of M365, where your leadership directly shapes how Copilot agents are built, deployed, and scaled across the ecosystem. The problem space spans runtime and orchestration, real‑time multimodal systems, API and protocol design, and developer experience—at a scale where your decisions have broad and lasting 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
- Collaborate with engineers, product managers, designers, and partner teams to deliver a set of features with the right overall design and architecture.
- Drive cross-org alignment through partnerships and co-development following the “One Microsoft” philosophy.
- Ensure the output of your team with an emphasis on quality, performance, simplicity, durability, scalability, and maintainability.
- Build, grow, and retain a team of high-performance Software Engineers by delivering on the Model, Coach, and Care core priority for Managers at Microsoft.
- Foster a culture where everyone can bring their full and authentic self to do our best work and thrive.
Qualifications
**Required Qualifications: **
Bachelor'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 Python
- 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 Qualification:
1+ years developing AI-powered applications or integrating AI/ML features into product features.
4+ years experience as an engineering manager, or a technical lead with a passion for coaching and mentoring others.
Experience in building web applications using React, TypeScript, GraphQL, or Relay.
Experience leveraging AI to increase engineering velocity and quality.
Proven ability to manage cross-functional and cross-org partnerships with product, research, design, and eng teams.
Demonstrated ability to balance short-term execution with long-term technical vision.
Proven ability to cultivate a collaborative and inclusive org culture, fostering knowledge sharing and growth within the team.
Passion for staying updated with the latest advancements in Generative AI and cloud technologies.
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 Python
- OR 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 Python
- OR equivalent experience.
Software Engineering M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $165,600 - $296,400 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 $220,800 - $331,200 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
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.**