[Skip to main content](#main-content) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) [Hiring report](/reports/hiring/) · [All Microsoft jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/) · [Search jobs](/search/) Microsoft # Principal Software Engineer - Windows App and Windows Platform United States, Washington, Redmond Senior individual contributor Software Engineering Listed on Microsoft’s official careers site. Posted October 8, 2026. Check that it is still open and apply there. [Apply on Microsoft’s careers site →](https://apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job/1970393556958279) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) / [Microsoft](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/) / Principal Software Engineer - Windows App and Windows Platform ## Job description Define and drive the long-term architecture and technical strategy for major areas of Windows App and its native Windows platform, using modern C++ and C# where appropriate and integrating deeply with Win32, WinRT, COM, Windows services, and operating-system APIs. Lead the design and delivery of high-impact, cross-cutting scenarios spanning connection setup, session lifecycle, authentication, OS integration, reliability, performance, and security. Architect secure, scalable, and maintainable systems that span processes, threads, services, client applications, SDK boundaries, and cloud-backed experiences. Lead investigations of the most complex engineering issues using debuggers, dumps, traces, logs, and telemetry, including problems involving concurrency, memory, networking, latency, compatibility, and operating-system integration. Drive multi-team execution from customer and business outcomes through architecture, design, implementation, validation, deployment, experimentation, monitoring, and live-site response; identify risks and make clear technical tradeoffs. Build alignment across Windows, Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, identity, security, design, and product teams, influencing partner roadmaps, interfaces, and end-to-end engineering decisions. Establish and evolve engineering standards for performance, reliability, accessibility, security, testability, operational excellence, and long-term maintainability across the client platform. Develop technical leaders, mentor senior engineers, lead architecture and design reviews, and create clarity in ambiguous or cross-organization problem spaces. Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python. OR equivalent experience. Deep expertise in Windows systems technologies such as Win32, WinRT, COM, RPC, Windows services, inter-process communication, and core Windows APIs. Expertise in remote desktop, virtualization, or virtual desktop infrastructure technologies such as RDP, Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Citrix, VMware Horizon, HDX, or ICA. Experience leading the design and debugging of multi-process, multi-threaded, performance-critical native systems, including memory, concurrency, latency, compatibility, and reliability concerns. Experience influencing the architecture of Windows App SDK, WinUI, XAML, WebView2, MSIX, or related Windows client technologies. Experience building and operating secure, accessible client software at enterprise scale, using telemetry and live-site insights to guide architectural investments. Experience with device, input, display, audio/video, or peripheral integration for remote or virtualized scenarios. Experience using AI-assisted engineering tools responsibly to improve development, testing, debugging, or engineering productivity. ## At a glance - Posted by the employer: Oct 8, 2026 - First seen by OpenNash: Aug 21, 2026 - Last checked: Oct 18, 2026 - Listed for: 58 days - Location: United States, Washington, Redmond[Apply on Microsoft’s careers site →](https://apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers/job/1970393556958279) ## More jobs at Microsoft ### [Member of Technical Staff, Microsoft Robotics](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/jobs/116074aea50f3d2ae2ec/) United States, Washington, Redmond ### [Member of Technical Staff, Microsoft Robotics (Software Systems)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/jobs/844ba3de52d8ce588d33/) United States, Washington, Redmond ### [Multiple Positions (Senior & Principal) - Windows in the Cloud](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/jobs/e304f2ab9e110fb71021/) United States, Washington, Redmond ### [Principal Program Manager, Partner Developer Relations - Minecraft](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/jobs/eac1bae51a99fda335c8/) United States, Washington, Redmond ### [Principal Quantum Applications Architect - Cryptography](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/microsoft/jobs/ef79a97e841a1e899a9b/) United States, Washington, Redmond ## Similar jobs at other companies ### [Software Engineer - Windows on Snapdragon](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/qualcomm/jobs/f684be849873aaef589e/) Qualcomm · Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico ### [Principal Software Engineer (Medical Device Software/C#/C++,.NET, Windows)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/alcon/jobs/a2902e53e99014844e12/) Alcon · Lake Forest, California ### [Windows Systems Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/general-dynamics/jobs/5f9ffb8b277f4a5a3782/) General Dynamics · McLean, VA, US ### [Windows Engineer (Expert)](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/bae-systems/jobs/0e27d2cb932e495b6dc4/) BAE Systems · Herndon, Virginia, United States [Software Engineering jobs](/functions/software-engineering/) OpenNash lists jobs from employers’ own careers sites and does not handle applications. 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