Principal Software Engineering Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 26, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 14, 2026. Microsoft scores B on the Alion truth index.
The Microsoft Security organization’s mission of making the world a safer place has never been more important. As threats become more frequent and sophisticated, we drive improvements into our security products that keep our customers, applications, and devices safe. Security is one of the fastest growing, highly collaborative teams with an entrepreneurial mindset within Microsoft.
The Microsoft Defender family offers comprehensive threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities for everyone - from individuals looking to protect their family to the world’s largest enterprises. Linux servers run highly business-critical workloads for our customers and are increasingly targeted by attackers seeking to disrupt those workloads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides a security solution to help protect Linux servers with high performance, quality, and innovative security capabilities. We are hiring a Group Engineering Manager for this product area. Our work provides peace of mind to customers by helping them protect their critical assets.
Our team includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds, previous work experiences, and life journeys, and we are eager to maintain and grow that diversity. We are passionate about learning on the job, collaborating with other teams, and staying deeply focused on customer needs. Join us to build easy-to-use cybersecurity products that positively impact over a billion users from all walks of life.
Responsibilities
As an Engineering Manager, you will lead, mentor, and grow a talented and diverse team of engineers focused on delivering products that create deep customer value. You will partner with other Engineering Managers, Architects, and cross-functional leaders to build a sustainable, high-performing team and foster an engineering culture focused on delivering products our customers love.
You will collaborate across teams to develop innovative solutions that protect Linux servers through Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and contribute to the growth of the business. You will provide strong technical and people leadership, establish engineering rigor, foster a data- and results-driven culture, and build an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and trust.
You will also help drive the adoption and impact of Microsoft Security products while enabling your team to deliver high-quality solutions at scale.
If you are passionate about Linux, cybersecurity, engineering excellence, and building high-performing teams, this role offers an exciting opportunity to bring those passions together.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in software engineering, with experience building enterprise software and a proven track record of shipping commercially successful software products and services.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, nurture, and grow engineering talent.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams comprising Software Engineers, Program Managers, Security Researchers, and Data Scientists.
- 3+ years of experience leading and building engineering teams.
- 7+ years of experience designing and developing applications and systems on Linux.
- 7+ years of experience applying software development principles, design patterns, and engineering best practices.
- Strong understanding of Linux internals and experience building Linux-based products.
- Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Familiarity with secure software development lifecycle (SDL) practices.
- Experience with software development tools and systems, including source control systems such as Git, automated build systems, compilers, software validation systems, project tracking tools, and lifecycle management systems.
- Ability to work independently and drive complex technical and architectural decisions and dependencies.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience building Linux kernel modules.
- Contributions to Linux open-source projects, particularly in the kernel space.
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.