Senior Security Engineer and Principal Security Engineer (Services)- Multiple Positions
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 14, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 30, 2026. Microsoft scores B on the Alion truth index.
The Microsoft Windows Security team is looking for a learn-it-all security engineer that will help secure Microsoft Windows products and services, with focus on offensive security, security engineering, and mitigations for online services.
The Windows Security team is responsible for securing the services that build and power Windows, used by billions of customers every day and in businesses worldwide. This team performs security design reviews, code reviews, penetration testing, vulnerability research and driving systematic mitigations to security risks on Windows to make sure they meet the highest possible security standards and proactively defend cybersecurity threats. This role is hands-on, technically demanding, and central to strengthening the security posture of Windows online presence.
In this Senior Security Engineer and Principal Security Engineer (Services)- Multiple Positons Windows Security role, you will uncover novel attack vectors, develop proof-of-concept mitigations, and partner directly with Windows product engineering teams to design durable & scalable defense. The candidate will have hands-on experience with penetration testing (code audit, using tools, finding creative ways to break assumptions), a clear understanding of security fundamentals, solid computer science skills, and a passion for keeping Microsoft customers safe.
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.
Responsibilities
- Lead and participate in security reviews to identify and mitigate risk in Microsoft services, including design review, code reviews, and penetration testing.
- Build reusable agents and tools to expedite and improve the consistency and quality of security reviews.
- Review deployments and code for security defects and architectural risk using agents and automated tools built by you and others.
- Safely demonstrate the real-world impact of security flaws to aid in prioritization and fix validation.
- Be the security contact for teams building new innovative products and services that will be deployed and used by billions.
- Apply an adversary mindset to creatively bypass security controls.
- Leverage a broad and current understanding of security to devise new protections.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to improve security and articulate the value of security investments.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field AND 4+ years experience in security or related field.
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field AND 6+ years experience in security or related field.
- OR equivalent experience.
Additional or preferred qualifications
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:
- 2+ years identifying vulnerabilities in online services, deployment misconfigurations.
- 5+ years of experience in software engineering or security-related engineering.
- Public track record of relevant security research, especially around vulnerability discovery.
#W+DJOBS
Penetration Testing IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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
Penetration Testing IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $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
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.