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Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Microsoft

Principal Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer , you will shape the end-to-end developer experience on Windows ... Lead the design and implementation of AI-infused developer tools and experiences - including ...

Pipe17

Junior Tools Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

... and maintain internal tools, develop APIs, and leverage AI tooling to enhance developer ... Qualifications : Required : • 0-2 years of experience in software or system engineering. • ...

Helion Energy

Software Engineer, Plant Control

Everett, WA · On-site

$185K - $240K/yr

What You Will Be Doing As a Software Engineer on the Plant Control team, you will help design ... Experience building operator interfaces, internal engineering tools, dashboards, or data-rich GUIs

SpaceX

Software Engineer (Platform Team)

Redmond, WA · On-site

Preferred : • Experience building internal developer platforms, AI gateways, or secure proxy ... tools, documentation, shared assets, or training that drives company-wide adoption • ...

Microsoft AI

Senior Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will design and optimize SDK components, collaborate globally ... developer tools for large-scale platforms. • Familiarity with ad-serving technologies and ...

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All JobsInternal Developer Tools Software Engineer JobsInternal Developer Tools Software Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$33.6K

$114.1K

$274.8K

How much do internal developer tools software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for internal developer tools software engineer in Seattle, WA is $114,105.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,300.00 and $120,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Internal Developer Tools Software Engineers typically interact with other development teams within the company?

Internal Developer Tools Software Engineers work closely with a variety of engineering teams to understand their workflows, gather feedback, and identify pain points in the development process. Communication is key, as these engineers often facilitate onboarding, provide training for new tools, and respond to support requests. Collaboration usually involves participating in cross-team meetings, collecting requirements, and iterating on tools based on real-world usage. This close partnership ensures that the tools developed genuinely improve productivity and address the practical needs of their colleagues.

What is the difference between Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer vs Software Engineer?

AspectInternal Developer Tools Software EngineerSoftware Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping and maintaining internal tools to improve developer productivityBuilding applications, systems, or features for end-users or clients
Work EnvironmentTypically within tech companies, collaborating with internal teamsVaries across industries, often with direct customer interaction
Required SkillsStrong programming, understanding of developer workflows, internal tool developmentBroad software development skills, depending on domain
Industry UsagePrimarily in tech companies, startups, and large enterprises with internal toolsAcross all industries including tech, finance, healthcare, etc.

In summary, Internal Developer Tools Software Engineers focus on creating tools that enhance internal developer efficiency, whereas Software Engineers develop a wide range of applications for external users. Both roles require strong programming skills but differ in their primary objectives and work environments.

What are Internal Developer Tools Software Engineers?

Internal Developer Tools Software Engineers are specialists who design, build, and maintain software tools that improve the productivity of other developers within an organization. Their work often includes creating build systems, continuous integration pipelines, testing frameworks, and deployment tools. These engineers collaborate closely with development teams to understand their workflows and challenges, then develop solutions that streamline processes, reduce manual work, and enhance code quality. By focusing on internal tooling, they help the whole engineering organization move faster and deliver higher-quality products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (often in languages like Python, Java, or Go), expertise in software development processes, and experience with building scalable infrastructure, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with CI/CD systems, containerization tools (like Docker and Kubernetes), version control (such as Git), and cloud platforms is usually required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and proactive communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for designing efficient tools that improve developer productivity, streamline workflows, and support organizational engineering goals.
What are popular job titles related to Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? For Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer job openings:
Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internal Developer Tools Software Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Internship, and 57% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,105 per year, or $54.9 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Microsoft

Redmond, WA • On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 hours ago

Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 188 rated software companies

Job description

Overview
We're building Windows into the best place in the world for developers to build, run, and ship applications-now enhanced by AI and agent-driven workflows.
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will shape the end-to-end developer experience on Windows-from platform capabilities and frameworks to tools, workflows, and AI-powered experiences. You will identify friction across real-world developer journeys and lead system-level improvements that make developers more productive, faster, and more successful on Windows.
This is a large scoped, individual contributor role with broad influence across Windows, developer platforms, frameworks, and AI tooling.
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
  • Developer Platform Strategy: Define and drive the technical vision for Windows as a world-class developer platform, ensuring the OS, SDK, and toolchain deliver seamless, modern, and performant development workflows.
  • AI-Powered Developer Experiences: Lead the design and implementation of AI-infused developer tools and experiences - including intelligent code assistance, automated diagnostics, smart build/test pipelines, and context-aware productivity features - that set Windows apart as the premier platform for software development.
  • End-to-End Developer Journey: Own and improve the developer experience holistically - from environment setup and inner-loop development, through debugging, testing, and deployment - removing friction and delighting developers at every step.
  • Cross-Team Technical Leadership: Partner with teams across Microsoft to align platform investments, unify developer surfaces, and deliver cohesive experiences that span the Microsoft developer ecosystem.
  • Architecture & Engineering Excellence: Drive architectural decisions for large-scale platform components, establish engineering best practices, and raise the quality bar across the team through code reviews, design reviews, and mentorship.
  • Community & Ecosystem Engagement: Represent the team externally at conferences, in open-source communities, and with key developer partners. Incorporate developer feedback into platform strategy and advocate for the needs of the developer community.
  • Technical Mentorship: Mentor and grow senior engineers across the organization. Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning within the team.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • 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.

Preferred Qualification:
  • 10+ years of software engineering experience with deep systems or platform expertise.
  • Proven track record of delivering large-scale platform or developer-facing investments.
  • Strong experience in C++, C#, or comparable systems languages.
  • Experience building developer tools, SDKs, or improving developer workflows.
  • Experience with Windows Subsystem for Linux.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-team technical initiatives and influence direction.
  • Experience with developer platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, cloud dev environments).
  • Hands-on experience with AI/ML or AI-assisted development workflows.
  • Familiarity with Windows developer tools and frameworks (or cross-platform tooling).
  • Experience improving performance, reliability, or diagnosability at system level.
  • Passion for developer productivity and ecosystem health.

#W+DJOBS
Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $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.

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About Microsoft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

Social media

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