Software Engineer II

Become an integral member of the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) team, dedicated to protecting consumers and enterprises alike from cyber-attacks. Our mission is to safeguard every user with innovative proactive protection, detection, and response technologies, aiming to stay ahead of malicious actors and anticipating the threats of the future.

We are looking for a highly driven and motivated Software Engineer II to design and build the next generation of endpoint protection, optimizing for the latest silicon innovations and Windows OS enhancements. This includes championing fundamentals such as performance and reliability, scaling platforms big and small, and driving foundational changes throughout the entire Defender stack.

This position provides the potential for tremendous personal and career growth across many dimensions. You’ll have the opportunity to work across divisional boundaries and develop a broad understanding of Microsoft’s business while making a meaningful impact on society.

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.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

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++, or Rust
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ years of experience with systems programming or low-level development

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:

• 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++, or Rust
  • 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++, or Rust
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to debugging and performance optimization
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in agile teams and leading technical discussions

Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $100,600 - $199,000 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 $131,400 - $215,400 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 10, 2025. 

• Write high-quality, maintainable code, and review contributions from engineers
• Contribute to technical design and architecture discussions
• Mentor engineers, providing guidance and oversight on complex projects
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, ensuring knowledge sharing and best practices
• Explore emerging technologies and trends, assessing their impact on our distributed systems and services
• Contribute to proof-of-concept projects, demonstrate innovative solutions and technical expertise
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, design, and operations
• Communicate technical vision and roadmap to stakeholders, both technical and non-technical
• Partner with multiple teams across Microsoft, architecting and implementing solutions deeply integrated into the Defender stack
• Embody our Culture and Values