July 31, 2025

Principal Software Engineering Manager - Azure Core

Senior • Hybrid • On-site

$139,900 - $274,800/yr

Redmond, WA

Overview

Microsoft Azure is building the fastest network in the public cloud. We are seeking candidates who are deeply familiar with operating system kernels, passionate about coding, and experienced in building network systems and services from concept to production. The Azure Host Software-Defined Access Network (SDAN) team is where the rubber meets the road for Software-Defined Networking (SDN). We create the host platform that enables SDN controllers to perform arbitrary packet manipulations and virtualization at extremely high speeds. Our team builds the platform drivers and owns the underlying hardware platform on the host, which allows us to accelerate SDN as the network evolves from 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) to 400 Gbps and beyond.
 
As a Software Engineering Manager in Azure Host Networking, you will be responsible for leading teams that deliver software-defined networking capabilities on Azure using technologies such as Single Root Input/Output Virtualization (SR-IOV), Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) for network appliances, Linux network acceleration, Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), and container-based environments. You will drive cross-team projects involving other groups within Microsoft, our hardware partners, and various Linux distributions.
 
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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline AND 6+ years  technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++
    • OR equivalent experience. 
  • 4+ years people management experience.  
  • 4+ years of experience in systems software development and knowledge of computer networking protocols such as TCP/IP.
Other Qualifications: 
  • 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: 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science 
    • OR related technical field AND 10+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++
    • OR 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++
    • OR equivalent experience. 

Software Engineering M5 - 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 August 13, 2025.

 

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Responsibilities

  • Guides partnership with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., project manager, technical lead) to determine user requirements within and across teams.
  • Guides teams and leads identification of dependencies and the development of design documents for a product, application, service, or platform.
  • Optimizes, debugs, refactors, and reuses code to improve performance and maintainability, effectiveness, and return on investment (ROI).
  • Guides team to drive multiple group's project plans, release plans, and work items in coordination with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., project managers).
  • Guides team and acts as an expert for Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) and monitors other engineers across product lines, working on call to monitor system/product/service for degradation, downtime, or interruptions.
  • Leads product development and scaling to customer requirements and applies best practices for meeting scaling needs and performance expectations and holds accountability for products that do not meet expectations.