Principal Software Architect

Senior • Hybrid • On-site

$163,000 - $296,400/yr

Redmond, WA

Overview

Join the Microsoft Excel team which powers the world’s productivity! Excel is more than just a spreadsheet - it’s a global platform relied upon by millions of users every day, from students and scientists to business leaders and innovators. As we embark on the next chapter of intelligent agentic experiences, you have the opportunity to shape the future of how people work, analyze, and create with Excel.

As Principal Software Architect for Excel Agent, you will set the technical vision for agentic experiences that will transform how users interact with one of the world’s most iconic productivity tools. This is a rare opportunity to lead innovation at a massive scale—defining architectural standards, driving breakthrough solutions, and ensuring Excel remains at the forefront of intelligent, user-centric technology. You will leverage the latest advancements in large language models to deliver seamless, intuitive, and powerful agentic features that empower users everywhere. You will be a core member of the leadership team, playing a pivotal role in shaping strategy and driving excellence across the organization.

As a key influencer and mentor, you’ll work side-by-side with organization leaders, product managers, scientists, and engineers to align technical strategy with bold business goals. You’ll help foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence—guiding talented teams to push boundaries and deliver experiences that redefine what’s possible in Excel. Your leadership will inspire others to think big, experiment fearlessly, and build solutions that make a real difference for millions of users worldwide. You’ll also benefit from ongoing opportunities for professional growth, learning, and mentorship.

This role requires you to be onsite 3 days a week in Microsoft's offices in Redmond, WA.

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 field AND 8+ 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:

Technical experience with large language models, including understanding model architecture and training techniques.
Demonstrated ability to set technical vision and drive execution in complex, cross-functional environments.
Experience as a software architect or in a similar senior technical leadership role for large-scale software products.

Software Engineering IC6 - 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 8, 2025.

Responsibilities

Define and oversee the technical strategy for agentic experiences in Excel, covering both front-end and back-end architecture.
Lead the technical design and implementation ensuring seamless integration with Excel core capabilities.
Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools to support agentic experiences.
Establish and maintain architectural standards, best practices, and guidelines for scalable, secure, and high-performance solutions.
Collaborate with engineering, product, and science teams to align technical direction with business objectives.
Continuously explore and master the latest advancements in LLMs and technologies shaping industry-leading LLM-based solutions.
Mentor and guide engineering teams to elevate technical standards and develop deep expertise in LLM technologies.

Microsoft

Microsoft is a global technology company that focuses on empowering every person and organization to achieve more. With a mission to deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's online businesses, including Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Teams, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform, the company is dedicated to powering the 'Intelligent Cloud' mission. Microsoft values respect, integrity, and accountability, and fosters a culture of inclusion where employees can thrive. The company is committed to continuous improvement and collaboration to drive innovation and provide high-quality results to customers. With a diverse and inclusive workforce, Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer.