Software Engineer II

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Join us in shaping the future of containerized computing, where efficiency meets scalability. You'll help build a next-generation container platform that optimizes how we run workloads—from AI-driven applications to high-performance databases and lightweight functions. By harnessing the power of the containerd runtime, we're expanding the reach of containers across Microsoft’s cloud and edge ecosystems. If you thrive on learning, have a passion for system software development, and enjoy collaborating with a dynamic team, we'd love to have you onboard.

As a Software Engineer II in Core OS, you’ll develop foundational technologies that power Microsoft’s platforms. You'll build expertise in virtualization, system software, and distributed systems, driving performance and scalability improvements. This role offers the opportunity to accelerate your career growth, tackle complex technical challenges, and collaborate with industry-leading professionals. You’ll also have the option to work from home up to 50 percent of the time.

In Core OS, we are responsible for the Operating Systems that power Azure, Microsoft's Linux OS, the platforms for Windows Client and Xbox, and our Windows Server ecosystem – through all of these, we support every one of our cloud businesses and billions of customers around the world. In this era of ubiquitous computing, systems software excellence has never been more important for Microsoft. High quality, high-efficiency operating systems and platform components underpin everything we do as a company, from making our systems more reliable for our customers, to increasing our competitiveness by reducing COGS, to delivering new features and capabilities to delight customers – that’s all us!

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.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 2+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
  o OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ year experience building operating system, virtualization, or container related features.

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.

• 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++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python

  o OR Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND
  2+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages
  including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python

  o OR equivalent experience.

• Experience with networking, storage and security
• Experience with Go or Rust.

Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $98,300 - $193,200 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 $127,200 - $208,800 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until May 23, 2025.

#CoreOS

• Works with appropriate stakeholders to determine requirements for a feature.
• Supports identification of dependencies, and the development of design documents for a product feature with oversight.
• With guidance, learns to create and implement code for a product, service, or feature reusing code as applicable.
• Assists and learns about breaking down work items into tasks and provides estimation.
• Acts as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) in monitoring system/product feature/service for degradation, downtime, or interruptions for simple problems, and recommends actions to restore system/product/service by following the playbook.
• Reviews current developments and proactively seeks new knowledge that will improve the availability, reliability, efficiency, observability, and performance of products while also driving consistency in monitoring and operations at scale.
• Develops features to enhance workload isolation using containers and lightweight virtual machines in Windows and Linux.
• Contributes to container-related open-source communities, driving innovation and industry collaboration.