Are you passionate about building robust security solutions and making a tangible impact on millions of users worldwide? Do you thrive in high-performing, collaborative environments where your ideas drive innovation and help shape the future of cybersecurity? Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) is looking for a Principal Software Engineer with deep expertise in Linux internals, system-level programming, and security technologies to lead the evolution of our Defender for Linux product.
At Microsoft Security, we are driven by our mission to help protect the world from cyber threats. Our team plays a critical role in creating proactive defense mechanisms that span across platforms Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS offering comprehensive and intelligent protection to users around the globe. As a Principal Software Engineer, you will take on a strategic and technical leadership role, shaping the architecture, design, and development of our security platform tailored for Linux environments.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Lead Architecture & Design. Drive the architecture and system-level design for advanced Linux-based security solutions that power Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Shape the future of our security posture by making critical decisions during the planning and design phases.
- Build & Scale. Design and implement high-quality, extensible, and maintainable code in C/C++. Develop features from scratch, optimize existing solutions, and push boundaries of what’s possible on Linux systems.
- End-to-End Ownership. Take features from concept to production prototyping, coding, testing, debugging, deploying, and maintaining them in live environments.
- Mentorship & Leadership. Guide and mentor junior and mid-level engineers on best practices in code quality, performance optimization, and secure coding. Conduct rigorous design and code reviews.
- Cross-Team Collaboration. Work closely with cross-functional teams including Product Managers, Security Researchers, Program Managers, and other Engineering Teams to define clear objectives, gather feedback, and deliver value-aligned outcomes.
- Innovate & Experiment. Lead the development of proof-of-concept projects to explore new ideas and validate innovative approaches to enhancing endpoint protection.
- Champion Quality. Drive performance benchmarking, regression testing, and debugging efforts. Emphasize system reliability and performance from day one.
- Culture & Inclusion. Foster a culture of inclusion, transparency, and trust. Encourage open discussions, celebrate diverse perspectives, and support continuous learning.
What You’ll Bring to the Team
- Educational Background. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
- Extensive Technical Experience. Minimum of 16+ years of engineering experience, with a strong focus on Linux system programming, C/C++ development, and performance optimization.
- Deep Understanding of Linux Internals. In-depth knowledge of kernel-level concepts, file systems, process management, memory management, device drivers, and system calls.
- Software Design Excellence. Strong grasp of object-oriented design principles, data structures, algorithms, and system architecture. You have a track record of designing scalable and secure solutions.
- Security Mindset. Experience in developing or integrating endpoint protection, malware detection, host intrusion prevention systems, or other security-focused software is highly desirable.
- Problem-Solving Skills. Exceptional analytical and debugging skills. You approach problems with creativity, resilience, and a solutions-first mindset.
- Communication & Collaboration. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. You can clearly articulate complex technical ideas and collaborate effectively across teams and time zones.
Why Join Us
At Microsoft, we recognize that our success is rooted in our people. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered, respected, and supported in their career journey. You'll work in an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and fosters continuous growth and development. We offer unmatched access to cutting-edge technologies, vast learning opportunities, and the support of a global organization dedicated to security excellence.