**Overview** In this role, you will work at the intersection of operating systems, hypervisors, and cloud‑scale distributed systems, helping to evolve the virtualization layers that Azure depends on. You will design and implement low‑level system components using modern C++ and Rust, ensuring that Linux and Windows workloads run efficiently, securely, and reliably in Microsoft’s global cloud. You will collaborate closely with engineers across Azure Core to diagnose complex issues, improve system performance, and advance the platform capabilities your customers rely on every day. As a Senior Software Engineer IC4, you will translate user and customer requirements into scalable designs, lead technical discussions, and build high‑quality system software that strengthens Azure’s virtualization platform. You will use artificial intelligence–assisted engineering tools, rigorous debugging techniques, and modern software development practices to improve reliability, performance, and security across the stack. At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We cultivate a culture grounded in a growth mindset, respect, integrity, and accountability—where you are encouraged to bring your authentic self, learn continuously, and create meaningful impact for customers and communities worldwide. **Responsibilities** + Drives disciplined software development practices including clear requirements, design documents, code assets, and adherence to engineering‑health measures. + Reviews product code and tests for team standards, coding patterns, security and compliance risks, and test coverage; provides actionable feedback to raise code quality, maintainability, and team velocity. + Uses debugging techniques, logs, telemetry, and diagnostic methods to verify assumptions, identify root causes, deliver durable fixes, and prevent recurrence through incident retrospectives. + Leads creation of extensible, maintainable, secure, and performant code; applies metrics and sound design tradeoff analysis to drive quality and stability. + Creates and executes test strategies that ensure solution quality, regression prevention, negative‑case validation, security testing, and strong testability across the system. + Contributes to architecture and design discussions by identifying dependencies, evaluating solution options, clarifying requirements, and producing sound design specifications aligned with performance, scalability, resiliency, cost, and compliance expectations. + Ensures reliability and supportability by integrating logging, instrumentation, telemetry, monitoring, and operational excellence practices; acts as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) guiding engineers and maintaining secure, high‑quality live‑site operations. **Qualifications** **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. **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. **Preferred Qualifications** + 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. \#azurecorejobs Software Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $158,400 - $258,000 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay 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 consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations. (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html)