Software Engineer II

Overview

Come build community, explore your passions and do your best at Microsoft. This opportunity will allow you to bring your aspirations, talent, potential and excitement for the journey ahead.

Windows Servicing & Delivery Team (WSD) is responsible for building and publishing all security and quality updates for all versions of the Windows Operating System across all platforms (PC, Server, IoT, Xbox, Azure etc.) for all types of customers globally. WSD team builds solutions and services (Autopatch, Windows Update for Business etc.) to help commercial customers deploy these updates and manage their estates. On a monthly basis, our team keeps more than 1.6 billion endpoints protected and productive.

As a Software Engineer II, you will play a crucial role in shaping Windows networking components like Windows Domain Name System (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server and Client, Web Protocols, and Software Defined Networking (SDN). You will write and review high-quality code, drive testing and debugging, and improve the reliability, security, and performance of experiences used by customers across Windows devices.

You will collaborate with multiple teams, contribute to technical direction, and deliver high-quality experiences. Expand your expertise, deepen your domain knowledge, and sharpen your core competencies with the WSD family – a place where innovation thrives and wide-ranging opportunities await!

At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.

Responsibilities

You will build and contribute to the Windows platform, advancing Windows networking capabilities that deliver secure, reliable, and seamless experiences for customers.

You will design, implement, test, validate, and release new capabilities, security fixes, and reliability improvements for Windows platform components.

You will write secure, maintainable, and well-tested code and participate in code reviews to ensure changes meet Windows engineering quality standards.

You will use debuggers, automated tests, logs, traces, telemetry, and other diagnostic techniques to validate assumptions, identify risks early, perform root-cause analysis, and prevent customer-impacting issues.

You will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered development tools to accelerate implementation, testing, debugging, and documentation while applying sound engineering judgment and maintaining high standards for security and quality.

You will apply insights from design reviews, incident investigations, reliability exercises, and team debriefs to improve the development, operation, and long-term health of Windows platform components.

You will collaborate with engineers across Windows and partner teams to review designs, resolve complex technical issues, share technical knowledge, and maintain high standards for code quality and maintainability.

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.
• 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 Qualifications

• Experience with Windows Debugging using WinDbg and/or Visual Studio Debugger.
• Proven coding skills in C/C++, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in systematic problem-solving, debugging, and root-cause analysis.
• Demonstrated design and development skills.
• AI technology adoption experience in development.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks competently.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and apply core computer science principles.

#W+DJOBS

#WSDJOBS

#WSDTSX

Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 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 $133,800 - $219,200 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.

Insights from previous hires

Top skills: Cascading Style Sheets (Css), Algorithms, Science, Cloud Computing, Automation, Technical Support, Software Development, SQL, Management, LLM

Common previous titles: Software Engineer, Software Engineer II, Software Engineer 2, Cloud Solution Architect, Senior Architect, Solution Engineer, Product Manager, Manager Research, Member of Technical Staff