The Azure Container Networking group is reimagining how hyperscale orchestrators—Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps (ACA), serverless platforms, and tomorrow’s AI native runtimes—connect, protect, and observe billions of containers in real time. Our charter is to deliver lightning-fast networking foundations that empower critical enterprise customers to innovate with confidence while meeting the unprecedented demands of largescale Artificial Intelligence workloads. As a Software Engineer, you will contribute to the development and implementation of next-generation frameworks supporting connectivity, observability, and security for distributed container environments. You will work with both dataplane and controlplane services, including high-performance eBPF-based datapaths and cloud APIs that interface with open-source projects such as Cilium and Retina. Additionally, you will help build and maintain AI-driven platforms that process telemetry data to facilitate network troubleshooting, optimization, and security—enabling intelligent orchestration at cloud scale. 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. **Responsibilities** + Works alongside platform architects, service owners, and other team members to understand user requirements for secure and scalable container networking features within Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps (ACA), and emerging AI native runtimes. + Assists in identifying technical dependencies and supports the creation of design documents for distributed networking frameworks, gaining experience with advanced technologies such as eBPF, cloud APIs, and open-source integrations (e.g., Cilium, Retina) with guidance from senior engineers. + Contributes to the design, development, and implementation of code for Azure Container Networking products and features, focusing on code quality, reusability, and learning industry best practices for high-performance, multi-tenant environments. + Participates in breaking down networking and telemetry ingestion projects into smaller work items, helps estimate timelines, and seeks technical guidance from the team to grow technical and project management skills. + Supports on-call rotations as a junior Designated Responsible Individual (DRI), assisting in monitoring systems and responding to straightforward issues related to service or feature degradation, downtime, or interruptions, always coordinating with experienced team members to restore critical networking infrastructure. + Engages in continuous learning to stay current in cloud-native networking, container orchestration, and observability technologies. Actively seeks mentorship and training to improve availability, reliability, efficiency, and performance for Azure Container Networking solutions and to understand monitoring and operational practices at scale. **Qualifications** **Required Qualifications:** + Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline + OR equivalent experience + Proven experience coding in Go, C, and/or Python, **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:** + Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical field AND 1+ year(s) technical engineering experience with coding in Go, C, and/or Python, + OR Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field with proven experience with coding in Go, C, and/or Python, + OR equivalent experience. + 1+ years experience with Kubernetes, including hands-on configuration and deployment of containerized applications in production environments. + Active participation or contributions within open-source software (OSS) communities, especially those focused on cloud-native networking or container orchestration. + Demonstrated technical depth in designing and implementing distributed systems, with strong proficiency in troubleshooting and optimizing complex networking solutions. + Builder mindset—passion for developing robust, scalable infrastructure and an eagerness to solve challenging problems through innovation and iteration. + Familiarity with cloud computing concepts, container orchestration technologies (Kubernetes, Docker), and cloud-native networking principles. + Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams, communicate technical concepts clearly, and contribute to design and architecture discussions. + Enthusiasm for continuous learning and professional growth, especially in areas such as cloud APIs, eBPF, open-source integration, and AI orchestration technologies. Software Engineering IC2 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $84,200 - $165,200 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 $109,000 - $180,400 per year. Microsoft will accept applications for this role until September 4, 2025. \#azurecorejobs Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 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) .