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Microsoft Principal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of West Allis

Principal Engineer

Milwaukee, WI

$38.02 - $52.80/hr

The Principal Engineer manages complex capital improvement projects, monitors project budgets and ... Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs - including Microsoft Outlook (mail ...

City of West Allis

Principal Engineer

West Allis, WI · On-site

The Principal Engineer manages complex capital improvement projects, monitors project budgets and ... Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs - including Microsoft Outlook (mail ...

Sunbelt Solomon

Principal Engineer

Sharon, PA · On-site +1

Description The Principal Engineer role offers the opportunity to lead complex transformer design ... Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and AutoCAD. * Ability to read drawings ...

BCI Inc

Principal Engineer

Dahlgren, VA

Principal Engineers are oftentimes sought out by BCI to serve as Subject Matter Experts in their ... Two (2) years' experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is ...

City of West Allis, WI

Principal Engineer

West Allis, WI · On-site

$38.02 - $52.80/hr

The Principal Engineer manages complex capital improvement projects, monitors project budgets and ... Microsoft Office Suite programs - including Microsoft Outlook (mail, calendar, tasks), Word ...

iHerb

Principal Engineer - Mobile

California, MO · On-site

$204 - $260/hr

Job Summary The Principal Engineer - Mobile operates at the intersection of deep technical ... Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) * Experience with Google Business ...

Mike Albert Leasing

Principal Engineer

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

A principal-level engineer and technical leader responsible for the architectural integrity and ... Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, AWS, and various integration partners and ...

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Microsoft Principal Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do microsoft principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for microsoft principal engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Microsoft Principal Engineer?

Microsoft Principal Engineers are highly experienced technical leaders responsible for designing complex systems, providing architectural guidance, and driving innovation within the company. They often serve as technical mentors to other engineers, lead cross-functional projects, and help set technical direction for their teams or divisions. Principal Engineers have deep expertise in their fields and play a key role in shaping Microsoft's products and engineering culture. Their responsibilities also include collaborating with stakeholders across the organization and ensuring that solutions align with business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Microsoft Principal Engineer?

To thrive as a Microsoft Principal Engineer, you need advanced expertise in software engineering, architecture design, and a deep understanding of computer science principles, often supported by a relevant degree and extensive experience. Proficiency with Microsoft technologies such as Azure, .NET, Visual Studio, and familiarity with DevOps tools and cloud platforms is essential, and certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect are highly valued. Strong leadership, communication, and strategic thinking enable you to mentor teams and drive complex projects. These skills ensure you can deliver innovative solutions at scale, lead technical direction, and contribute to Microsoft's engineering excellence.

What are some common challenges faced by a Microsoft Principal Engineer when leading cross-functional projects?

As a Microsoft Principal Engineer, one common challenge is aligning diverse technical and business teams toward a shared vision, especially in large-scale, cross-functional projects. You’ll often need to balance immediate project needs with long-term architectural goals, while ensuring effective communication across teams with varying priorities and expertise. Navigating organizational complexity and influencing without direct authority are key aspects of the role. Success relies on strong leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to drive consensus among senior engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

What is the difference between Microsoft Principal Engineer vs Microsoft Senior Engineer?

CriteriaMicrosoft Principal EngineerMicrosoft Senior Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; significant experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership in technical projects, cross-team collaborationIndividual contributor, focused on project execution
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across Microsoft for senior technical leadership rolesCommonly used for experienced technical contributors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior technical roles at MicrosoftDistinguishing levels of seniority within Microsoft engineering

The Microsoft Principal Engineer is a senior technical leadership role focused on guiding large projects and influencing technical strategy, often leading multiple teams. In contrast, the Microsoft Senior Engineer is an experienced individual contributor primarily responsible for executing complex technical tasks. Both roles require strong technical credentials, but the Principal Engineer emphasizes leadership and strategic impact, while the Senior Engineer concentrates on technical expertise and project delivery.

Is a Microsoft Principal Engineer a high position?

A Microsoft Principal Engineer is a senior technical leadership role within the company, often considered a high-level position that involves guiding technical strategy, mentoring teams, and contributing to complex projects. It typically requires extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and a strong track record of innovation and impact.

What does a Microsoft principal engineer do?

A Microsoft principal engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, developing, and guiding complex software systems and solutions. They often lead technical projects, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure technical excellence and innovation. This role typically requires deep expertise in software engineering, strong problem-solving skills, and familiarity with Microsoft's tools and technologies.
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Microsoft Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Microsoft Principal Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Engineer

City of West Allis

Milwaukee, WI

$38.02 - $52.80/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Description The City of West Allis is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to lead the design and delivery of critical infrastructure projects that enhance our community. This position is responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of City infrastructure-including streets, sewers, water mains, bridges, buildings, parks, trails, and utilities-in accordance with City, State, and industry standards. The Principal Engineer manages complex capital improvement projects, monitors project budgets and cost analyses, administers special assessments, and ensures successful implementation through field inspections and coordination with contractors and City staff.

This leadership role also provides technical guidance to Engineering Technicians, helping deliver high-quality public infrastructure that serves residents today and into the future. Enjoy a competitive benefits package, including contributory medical coverage, fully paid dental benefits, a dual pension program, and paid time off. West Allis residents earn an additional 5% on top of the pay range.

Apply Today. Examples of Duties Design, Plan & Coordinate Construction for DPW including Progress, and Quality Assurance as needed Work with City Surveyor to Plan & Coordinate Surveying for CIP Projects Advise DPW on Means & Methods of Construction Perform and/or Supervise Construction Inspection for CIP Projects and Other Projects as needed Perform and/or Supervise Private Utility Inspection & Permitting with Engineering Staff Coordinate Construction with Other City Departments Prepare Ordinances, Resolutions, Reports, & Records Plan & Coordinate Engineering Consultants' Work for Public Utilities Respond to Public Inquires & Complaints Regarding Construction Activities Respond to Public Inquires & Complaints Regarding Traffic Concerns Represent the City on Projects Impacting the City lead by other Groups & Agencies Calculate, Enter, & Finalize Special Assessments for Projects Click Here Review Job Description (PDF) Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from accredited college or university is required. A Professional Engineer License is preferred but will consider candidates who can obtain within a year.

3 to 5 years of engineering design, field inspection and project management experience preferably in local municipal government. Ability to utilize CAD and GIS software in accordance with the needs of the department. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs - including Microsoft Outlook (mail, calendar, tasks), Word (templates, forms, mail merge, reviewing) and Excel; and Adobe Acrobat.

Advanced skills in English grammar/writing and math. Click Here Review Job Qualifications (PDF)

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