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Microsoft Computer Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience. Screening Requirements * The ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security ...

Principal Design Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$188K - $304.20K/yr

... Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements: * Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security ...

Principal Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$188K - $304.20K/yr

This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Preferred Qualifications: * Master's Degree in Computer Science or ...

Microsoft AI is at the forefront of AI-powered search, creating intelligent systems and interfaces ... Required : • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 2+ years ...

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Microsoft Computer Science information

See California salary details

$55.8K

$82K

$96.7K

How much do microsoft computer science jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for microsoft computer science in California is $82,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $92,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Microsoft Computer Scientist, and why are they important?

To excel as a Microsoft Computer Scientist, you need a solid background in computer science fundamentals, programming languages like C#, C++, or Python, and at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with Microsoft's development tools (such as Visual Studio), cloud platforms like Azure, and relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert) is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you contribute to complex projects and collaborate across diverse teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for innovating, building scalable solutions, and driving success within Microsoft's dynamic technology environment.

What are the typical collaborative projects a Microsoft Computer Science professional might work on, and how does teamwork influence success in this role?

As a Microsoft Computer Science professional, you will often collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and other engineers, to develop scalable software solutions. Projects may range from cloud computing services in Azure to building new features for Microsoft Office or Windows. Teamwork is crucial, as success often depends on effective communication, code reviews, and shared responsibilities. Regular stand-up meetings, agile sprints, and pair programming are common practices that help ensure alignment and foster innovation. This collaborative environment not only enhances project outcomes but also supports individual growth through knowledge sharing.

What is Microsoft Computer Science?

Microsoft Computer Science typically refers to the study and application of computer science principles within the context of Microsoft technologies. This can include working with programming languages, software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other tech projects using Microsoft tools like Azure, Visual Studio, and .NET. Professionals in this field may work on developing software, managing IT infrastructure, or creating innovative solutions for business and consumer needs. Microsoft also offers educational programs and certifications for those interested in advancing their computer science knowledge and careers.
What job categories do people searching Microsoft Computer Science jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Microsoft Computer Science jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Microsoft Computer Science job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,020 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Member of Technical Staff - Multimodal - MAI Superintelligence Team

Member of Technical Staff - Multimodal - MAI Superintelligence Team

Microsoft

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 183 rated software companies


Job description

Overview
Join Microsoft AI in building one of the world's most advanced foundation models. Our mission is to push the boundaries of scale, performance, and deployment, creating frontier AI systems that power transformative experiences across Microsoft.
The Multimodal team tackles some of the most challenging problems in deep learning at scale. Our work forms the backbone of initiatives across Microsoft AI, enabling breakthroughs that shape the future of AI.
What We're Looking For
We seek exceptional individuals who:
  • Bring proven expertise, demonstrated through impactful publications or technical leadership on high-scale projects.
  • Possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
  • Have experience with large-scale distributed systems and scalable architectures.
  • Thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments and embrace innovation.

Microsoft Superintelligence Team
Microsoft Superintelligence team'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.
This role is part of Microsoft AI's Superintelligence Team. The MAIST is a startup-like team inside Microsoft AI, created to push the boundaries of AI toward Humanist Superintelligence-ultra-capable systems that remain controllable, safety-aligned, and anchored to human values. Our mission is to create AI that amplifies human potential while ensuring humanity remains firmly in control. We aim to deliver breakthroughs that benefit society-advancing science, education, and global well-being.
We're also fortunate to partner with incredible product teams giving our models the chance to reach billions of users and create immense positive impact. If you're a brilliant, highly-ambitious and low ego individual, you'll fit right in-come and join us as we work on our next generation of models!
Starting January 26, 2026, MAI employees are expected to work from a designated Microsoft office at least four days a week if they live within 50 miles (U.S.) or 25 miles (non-U.S., country-specific) of that location. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
  • Develop algorithms, design model architectures, conduct experiments, champion measurement and evaluation, innovate datasets and data pipelines.
  • Improve training and deployment efficiency, paying careful attention to detail, persevering, and learning from everyone's attempts whether successful or not.
  • Follow a rigorous data-driven approach grounded in meticulous ablation studies and scientific analysis.
  • Innovate and iterate over ideas, prototypes, and product.
  • Collaborate closely with teams on infrastructure, data engineering, pre-training, post-training, and product feedback.
  • Advance the AI frontier responsibly.
  • Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in AI, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, or related technical discipline AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
    • OR equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in in AI, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, or related technical discipline AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python and common data libraries (Pandas, NumPy, etc.)
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in AI, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, or related technical discipline AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python and common data libraries (Pandas, NumPy, etc.)
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • Experience with large-scale AI systems - design and deployment of distributed architectures, multimodal or conversational models; proficiency with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and cloud/HPC environments (e.g., Azure).
  • Expertise in data engineering for foundation models - multimodal dataset design, curation, annotation pipelines, quality evaluation, bias detection, and understanding of privacy, compliance, and Responsible AI principles.
  • Background in LLM interaction and deployment - practical work in prompt engineering, safety-aligned evaluation, and integration of conversational AI into production systems.
  • Cross-functional collaboration and communication - ability to produce clear technical documentation, partner with engineering, product, and design teams, and contribute to knowledge sharing; demonstrated application of emerging AI technologies and best practices.

Software Engineering 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 $158,400 - $258,000 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
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

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