Principal Game Systems & Tools Engineer – Gaming AI

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Are you an experienced game engineer with a passion for building core systems and empowering creators? Do you thrive at the intersection of engine design, interactive tooling, and gameplay innovation?

At Xbox Gaming AI, we are exploring emerging technology trends to craft the next era of gaming. We are venturing beyond the horizon and charting a course forward with players and creators at the center. Our goal is to define the future of Xbox by advancing our mission of bringing joy and community to every player on the planet. If you value dynamic and agile teams that are proactively advocating for a diverse workforce, we have a great role for you.

We’re looking for a Principal Game Systems & Tools Engineer to design and implement foundational technology that supports new ways to build and customize interactive experiences. This role focuses on runtime systems, creative tooling, and infrastructure that empowers both creators and players. You’ll collaborate closely with engineers, designers, and researchers to develop deeply integrated, user-centric systems that scale across web and mobile platforms.

This is a unique opportunity to help define new categories of play and build experiences that blend creativity, technology, and community.

We Value

• Growth Mindset: You’re always evolving, learning from feedback, and open to new challenges.
• Be Brave. Be Bold: You’re excited to explore unconventional ideas and reimagine what’s possible.
• Collaborate: You work across disciplines and value diverse points of view.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: You help foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, and empowered.

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/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, TypeScript, JavaScript, or Python
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Experience shipping one or more games in a systems or tools engineering capacity.
• 5+ years experience with game engines, game runtime systems, tools, and content pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building content authoring tools, or asset pipelines.
• Proficiency with TypeScript and React, and experience building both runtime and editor-facing tools.
• Background in mobile-first or cross-platform game development.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted tooling or interest in how AI can transform creative workflows.
• A creator-first mindset focused on usability, extensibility, and long-term sustainability.

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until July 11, 2025.

• Architect and implement core runtime systems and extensible tooling using TypeScript, React, and related technologies.
• Develop infrastructure for simulation, scripting, asset management, content customization, and deployment.
• Design creator-focused workflows that are intuitive, performant, and flexible.
• Collaborate with teams across gameplay, AI, backend, and engine layers to ensure seamless system integration.
• Lead technical design efforts and define long-term architectural direction for game systems and tooling.
• Mentor engineers across the stack and contribute to a culture of engineering excellence.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies in tools, engines, and game development pipelines.