Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Software Engineering

Overview

In the Microsoft Frontier Company Engineering team, you won’t just build software; you’ll deliver real outcomes for some of the world’s most complex organizations.

We are a global team of world-class engineers who have been working in a Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) model for more than a decade, embedding directly within customer teams to solve their toughest challenges, side-by-side, and shipping production-ready solutions in days, not months.

As a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Software Engineering, you will be a customer embedded engineer to serve as the primary technical leader aligned to a strategic account, driving business outcomes through hands on execution and multidisciplinary expertise. In this role, you will build and ship production grade solutions, work directly with customers to translate business needs into clear technical approaches, and operate with speed in complex, fast moving environments. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring strong technical depth, credibility with senior stakeholders, industry context, and an entrepreneurial approach to navigating ambiguity and delivering sustained impact over time.

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

• Drive customer outcomes by shaping opportunities and translating business needs into clear, actionable technical approaches

• Build and deliver production-grade solutions in customer environments, demonstrating strong engineering execution and end-to-end ownership

• Accelerate time to value by operating effectively in ambiguity and delivering iterative, high-impact solutions

• Engage and influence senior stakeholders to build trust, align priorities, and guide technical and business decision-making

• Apply industry and customer context to tailor solutions and move beyond generic approaches

• Prepare and transition work to FDE crews with clear scope and strong technical direction, maintaining continuity across the engagement lifecycle

• Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset to navigate complex account dynamics, set boundaries, and drive urgency and accountability.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications (RQs/MQs)

• 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 OR equivalent experience.

Other Requirements

• Microsoft is unable to sponsor a work visa for this role due to the nature of the role’s job duties.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications (PQs)

• 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.

• Hands-on AI solution delivery experience, including building and deploying LLM-based systems, ensuring model quality and performance, and partnering with stakeholders to deliver end-to-end solutions using modern cloud AI platforms
• Experience partnering directly with customers or internal stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.

• Enjoy travel and are comfortable with travel up to 25%

#FDE

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:
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.