Principal Engineering Manager
1/31/2026
The Principal Engineering Manager will build and lead a high-performing engineering team focused on foundational capabilities for agentic compute. They will drive the architecture and implementation of core components enabling reliable computer-use agents on Windows and Linux.
Salary
163000 - 296400 USD
Working Hours
40 hours/week
Company Size
10,001+ employees
Language
English
Visa Sponsorship
No
Windows 365 for Agents is redefining how AI agents use Windows and Linux to perform complex, end‑to‑end tasks on behalf of users and organizations. As the world moves toward agentic computing at scale, we are building the foundational runtime, orchestration, identity, and policy infrastructure that allows Computer‑Use Agents (CUAs) to operate reliably, securely, and efficiently across the cloud and edge.
We are looking for a Principal Engineering Manager to build and lead a new team driving the core engineering needed to make agentic computer use scale seamlessly across Windows and Linux. This role will partner across Azure, Entra, M365 Co-pilot, Agent 365 and Windows, and external ecosystem partners to define and deliver the foundational layer that powers these next‑generation AI workflows.
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
Team Leadership & People Management
- Build, lead, and grow a high‑performing engineering team focused on foundational capabilities for agentic compute.
- Inspire engineering excellence, accountability, and a culture of curiosity, innovation, and inclusive collaboration.
- Coach engineers through complex technical challenges across OS, cloud architecture, distributed systems, and agent‑runtime design.
Technical & Architectural Leadership
- Drive the architecture and implementation of core components enabling reliable computer‑use agents on Windows and Linux—including environment provisioning, stability, sandboxing, orchestration, streaming interfaces, and agent–machine interaction layers.
- Partner closely with Windows, Linux, Azure Compute, Entra, Agent 365, M365 and ecosystem teams to design cross‑platform capabilities, set standards, and define the long‑term vision for agentic compute.
- Lead engineering efforts to ensure scalability, resilience, observability, and strong security primitives for automated agent actions.
Program & Delivery Leadership
- Establish technical roadmaps and execution plans aligned with strategic priorities for Windows 365 for Agents and the broader Agentic OS ecosystem.
- Collaborate with partner teams and external ISVs to define integration points, platform surfaces, tooling, and developer experiences.
- Oversee delivery of features from incubation to GA, ensuring quality, performance, and operational excellence.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- 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.
- 6+ years of experience building large‑scale distributed systems, OS‑level components, cloud platforms, or similar compute‑intensive technologies.
- 5+ years of people management experience leading senior or principal‑level engineers.
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:
- 10+ years of experience building large‑scale distributed systems, OS‑level components, cloud platforms, or similar compute‑intensive technologies.
- Strong proficiency in systems programming, cloud compute architecture, virtualization, or OS internals (Windows and/or Linux).
- Experience driving cross‑team technical initiatives with multiple partners and stakeholders.
- Experience building or integrating AI agent runtimes, automation frameworks, orchestration systems, or remote/virtualized computing environments.
- Deep understanding of Azure Compute, Entra Identity, OS internals or agentic identity/security models.
- Proven success in bootstrapping new teams, defining new engineering areas, or delivering v1 platform technologies.
- Ability to navigate ambiguous problem spaces and convert vision into clear, actionable engineering plans.
#W+DJOBS
Software Engineering M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $163,000 - $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.
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