Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Software Engineering

In the Microsoft Frontier Company Engineering team, you won’t just build software; you’ll deliver real outcomes for some of the world’s most complex organizations.    We are a global team of world-class engineers who have been working in a Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) model for more than a decade, embedding directly within customer teams to solve their toughest challenges, side-by-side, and shipping production-ready solutions in days, not months.    As a  Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Software Engineering , you will be a customer embedded engineer to serve as the primary technical leader aligned to a strategic account, driving business outcomes through hands on execution and multidisciplinary expertise. In this role, you will build and ship production grade solutions, work directly with customers to translate business needs into clear technical approaches, and operate with speed in complex, fast moving environments. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring strong technical depth, credibility with senior stakeholders, industry context, and an entrepreneurial approach to navigating ambiguity and delivering sustained impact over time.    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.

Drive customer outcomes  by shaping opportunities and translating business needs into clear, actionable technical approaches   Build and deliver production-grade solutions  in customer environments, demonstrating strong engineering execution and end-to-end ownership   Accelerate time to value  by operating effectively in ambiguity and delivering iterative, high-impact solutions   Engage and influence senior stakeholders  to build trust, align priorities, and guide technical and business decision-making   Apply industry and customer context  to tailor solutions and move beyond generic approaches   Prepare and transition work to FDE crews  with clear scope and strong technical direction, maintaining continuity across the engagement lifecycle   Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset  to navigate complex account dynamics, set boundaries, and drive urgency and accountability.

Required/Minimum Qualifications (RQs/MQs)  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.      Other Requirements Microsoft is unable to sponsor a work visa for this role due to the nature of the role’s job duties.     Additional or Preferred Qualifications (PQs)  Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience. Hands-on AI solution delivery experience, including building and deploying LLM-based systems, ensuring model quality and performance, and partnering with stakeholders to deliver end-to-end solutions using modern cloud AI platforms  Experience partnering directly with customers or internal stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.  Enjoy travel and are comfortable with travel up to 25%    #FDE  Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific