Software Engineer - II

The Windows + Devices Fundamentals team is responsible for the reliability, compatibility, performance, battery life, and sustainability of Windows devices. Our work spans hardware and OEM partners, the operating system, and application layers – helping protect, manage, and enhance the fundamentals of the Windows ecosystem. We are seeking a self-driven Software Engineer II to develop the next generation of Windows device optimizations. As advances in AI, silicon, and software create new opportunities, you will deliver solutions that help make exceptional device fundamentals a defining feature of Windows PCs. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys investigating complex systems, growing their technical expertise, and independently delivering innovations that improve how people live, work, and play 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.

Analyze telemetry and trace data to characterize software and hardware behavior, identify patterns, and assess impact on individual devices and at scale. Diagnose system issues using low-level debugging and performance-analysis tools, collaborating with experienced engineers on the most complex investigations. Identify optimization opportunities and own the design and implementation of well-scoped improvements. Deliver robust, high-quality solutions while considering performance, reliability, maintainability, and consistency with the broader architecture. Use data to evaluate tradeoffs, prioritize work, and make sound decisions in partially defined problem spaces. Collaborate with internal teams, OEMs, and hardware partners to deliver improvements, resolve dependencies, and share technical findings across the Windows ecosystem.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field 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. 1+ years of experience in systems analysis, debugging, performance engineering, or related systems-development work. Experience diagnosing software or system issues and contributing to performance or reliability improvements. Experience developing, testing, and delivering reliable production software. Solid programming, debugging, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently on well-scoped problems, navigate ambiguity, and use data to guide technical decisions. Experience or substantial project work involving operating systems, system-level development, or performance engineering. Knowledge of Windows internals, performance analysis, reliability engineering, or power optimization. Experience investigating issues across hardware, firmware, operating-system, or application boundaries. Experience with telemetry, statistical analysis, experimentation, or cloud data platforms such as Azure. Experience contributing to technical designs, conducting code reviews, and collaborating effectively across teams. #W+DJOBS #WDJOBS #WSSIJOBS   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.  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