Senior Software Engineer - Backend

At the core of Microsoft Ads is a mission-critical, high-throughput real-time bidding (RTB) platform. It processes millions of auction requests per second, executes complex auction logic under strict latency constraints, and directly impacts revenue, win rate, partner satisfaction, and platform reliability. This role owns core architectural and technical evolution of the platform, focusing on modernization, performance, scalability, experimentation infrastructure, and operational excellence. The position requires deep expertise in low-latency distributed systems, solid leadership in large-scale refactoring and platform modernization, and close collaboration across engineering, data science, experimentation, and business stakeholders. The engineer in this role drives initiatives with company-level impact, ensuring our platform can continue to scale, evolve, and support future Microsoft Ads growth. 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.   Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

Own technical direction and execution for core components, a high-scale, latency-sensitive real-time bidding service at the heart of Microsoft Ads. Lead design and implementation of scalable, high-performance backend systems operating under strict latency and reliability requirements. Drive platform modernization and long-term sustainability of critical services, improving code quality, maintainability, and operational safety. Ensure performance, scalability, and stability of the service as traffic, data volume, and business requirements continue to grow. Define and evolve instrumentation, observability, and experimentation capabilities to support data-driven decision making and safe production changes. Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners (engineering, data science, experimentation, product, and infrastructure) to align technical solutions with business goals. Provide technical leadership and mentorship, influencing architecture decisions and engineering best practices across teams.

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.

Master'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 Bachelor'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 equivalent experience. Experience working on high-throughput, production systems where scalability, latency, and stability are critical. Demonstrated ability to design, evolve, and maintain complex systems over time. Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver solutions aligned with business needs. Problem-solving skills and ability to analyze and address performance or reliability issues in production environments. Experience with real-time bidding systems, ad tech, or high-frequency decision systems. Familiarity with experimentation platforms, A/B testing, or traffic shaping