Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Software Development Engineer jobs at Microsoft sit at the top of the individual contributor track, covering everything from distributed systems and cloud infrastructure to AI and developer tooling. Microsoft has a well-established sponsorship process for this function, making it one of the more predictable paths for international engineers pursuing long-term U.S. work authorization.
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Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization working to create scientific knowledge and deliver innovation that leads to positive human impact at scale. To envision and build the future, we work with our scientific, engineering, academic and business partners to use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impact economics, health and society.
The Microsoft Research Americas Engineering team supports several MSR labs (Redmond, New England, New York City, and Montreal) and seeks an innovative and experienced Senior Research Software Engineer on the Agentic Experiences team to drive and contribute to a variety of research projects in various stages of research and productization. You will help deliver quality engineering solutions engaging in AI-native development methods, automation, and agentic workflows to design, build, evaluate, and ship software across Microsoft Research. You will collaborate with other engineers, researchers, and product teams to create innovative vision and drive high quality execution for high-impact and high-scale reach across all of Microsoft’s portfolio, from core models, health, social and economics, coding and development, vision and graphics, systems and networks, and more. You will also be able to contribute to the shape our engineering culture, strategy, and execution, as well as modernize AI engineering practices all in support of accelerating our collective impact across Microsoft Research Americas, Microsoft and beyond.
At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.
Responsibilities
-
Individual Contributor (IC) Development: Independently design and build software using appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) tools, frameworks and practices across the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in a disciplined manner. Apply innovative AI agentic tooling and workflows for efficient code generation, evaluation, debugging, and refinement. Contribute to all layers of code and infrastructure to bring scientific experiments from prototypes to reliable and scalable products ready for adoption across Microsoft.
-
Coding and Design: Owns or collaborates with other engineers on the architecture of solutions, with minimal technical oversight. Applies appropriate coding patterns and best practices (e.g., leveraging state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence [GenAI], approaches to source code organization, naming conventions). Proactively considers diagnosability, reliability, testability, and maintainability when reviewing code, and understands when code is ready to be shared or delivered.
-
Engineering Excellence: Leads by example within the team to produce extensible, maintainable, well-tested, secure, and performant code that adheres to design specifications. Take responsibility for the content of their AI-generated requirements, design documents, code, and other assets, assisting other members of the team to do the same.
-
Cross-Project Collaboration: Seek connections between MSR projects, design and develop “better together” systems, architectures, and implementations that align key research in support of facilitating new research as well as product transfers. Build partnerships to align engineering efforts with research priorities and Microsoft’s broader innovation agenda.
-
Technical Leadership: Collaborate with MSR Americas engineering leadership to contribute to a cohesive engineering vision. Navigate ambiguity in a dynamic research environment, using tangible intermediate milestones to realize long-term vision.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree and/or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- 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, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- OR equivalent experience.
- 2+ years technical leadership experience, defining milestones and helping an engineering team execute on their deliverables
- Demonstrated experience on an engineering team within a research or innovation setting, with responsibilities spanning prototypes to production.
- Experience with Microsoft AI stack, including but not limited to Azure/AI Platform and Copilot based experiences and tools.
- Experience contributing to or delivering AI powered products at scale
- Experience with early stage or first generation product development
Compensation
- 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:
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.
Overview
Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization working to create scientific knowledge and deliver innovation that leads to positive human impact at scale. To envision and build the future, we work with our scientific, engineering, academic and business partners to use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impact economics, health and society.
The Microsoft Research Americas Engineering team supports several MSR labs (Redmond, New England, New York City, and Montreal) and seeks an innovative and experienced Senior Research Software Engineer on the Agentic Experiences team to drive and contribute to a variety of research projects in various stages of research and productization. You will help deliver quality engineering solutions engaging in AI-native development methods, automation, and agentic workflows to design, build, evaluate, and ship software across Microsoft Research. You will collaborate with other engineers, researchers, and product teams to create innovative vision and drive high quality execution for high-impact and high-scale reach across all of Microsoft’s portfolio, from core models, health, social and economics, coding and development, vision and graphics, systems and networks, and more. You will also be able to contribute to the shape our engineering culture, strategy, and execution, as well as modernize AI engineering practices all in support of accelerating our collective impact across Microsoft Research Americas, Microsoft and beyond.
At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.
Responsibilities
-
Individual Contributor (IC) Development: Independently design and build software using appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) tools, frameworks and practices across the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in a disciplined manner. Apply innovative AI agentic tooling and workflows for efficient code generation, evaluation, debugging, and refinement. Contribute to all layers of code and infrastructure to bring scientific experiments from prototypes to reliable and scalable products ready for adoption across Microsoft.
-
Coding and Design: Owns or collaborates with other engineers on the architecture of solutions, with minimal technical oversight. Applies appropriate coding patterns and best practices (e.g., leveraging state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence [GenAI], approaches to source code organization, naming conventions). Proactively considers diagnosability, reliability, testability, and maintainability when reviewing code, and understands when code is ready to be shared or delivered.
-
Engineering Excellence: Leads by example within the team to produce extensible, maintainable, well-tested, secure, and performant code that adheres to design specifications. Take responsibility for the content of their AI-generated requirements, design documents, code, and other assets, assisting other members of the team to do the same.
-
Cross-Project Collaboration: Seek connections between MSR projects, design and develop “better together” systems, architectures, and implementations that align key research in support of facilitating new research as well as product transfers. Build partnerships to align engineering efforts with research priorities and Microsoft’s broader innovation agenda.
-
Technical Leadership: Collaborate with MSR Americas engineering leadership to contribute to a cohesive engineering vision. Navigate ambiguity in a dynamic research environment, using tangible intermediate milestones to realize long-term vision.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree and/or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- 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, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- OR equivalent experience.
- 2+ years technical leadership experience, defining milestones and helping an engineering team execute on their deliverables
- Demonstrated experience on an engineering team within a research or innovation setting, with responsibilities spanning prototypes to production.
- Experience with Microsoft AI stack, including but not limited to Azure/AI Platform and Copilot based experiences and tools.
- Experience contributing to or delivering AI powered products at scale
- Experience with early stage or first generation product development
Compensation
- 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:
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.
See all Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Align your portfolio to Microsoft's engineering scope
Microsoft's Senior SDE bar prioritizes systems thinking over feature work. Document contributions to large-scale distributed systems, platform reliability, or cross-team technical leadership. Interviewers look for evidence you've influenced architecture, not just shipped code.
Pursue teams already using E-3 or H-1B1
Microsoft sponsors both E-3 visas for Australians and H-1B1 visas for Singaporeans and Chileans, which bypass the H-1B lottery entirely. Targeting teams that have hired on these categories before shortens your path to an offer and simplifies the filing timeline.
Prepare your degree equivalency documentation early
Microsoft's immigration team routinely needs to establish specialty occupation status for Senior SDE roles. If your degree is from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved evaluator before your offer stage so there's no delay in filing.
Understand where you sit in the H-1B cap cycle
If you need a cap-subject H-1B, Microsoft files in April for an October 1 start. That means a spring offer can mean a five-month wait before you can legally start. Confirm your current status and whether a cap-exempt bridge role is possible.
Search open Senior SDE roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Microsoft's open Senior Software Development Engineer positions by visa type so you can see which roles align with your sponsorship situation before applying. This saves time and focuses your applications on realistic opportunities.
Request clarity on PERM timing before signing
For Green Card sponsorship via EB-2 or EB-3, Microsoft typically initiates PERM after you've established yourself in the role. Ask your recruiter what the standard timeline looks like for your team so you can plan around the DOL's prevailing wage and audit processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft sponsor H-1B visas for Senior Software Development Engineers?
Yes, Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for Senior Software Development Engineer roles and has one of the most active H-1B sponsorship programs in the technology industry. The company handles the full filing process, including the Labor Condition Application with the DOL, and also supports Green Card sponsorship through the EB-2 and EB-3 categories for eligible employees in this role.
How do I apply for Senior Software Development Engineer jobs at Microsoft?
Applications go through Microsoft's careers portal, where Senior SDE roles are listed by team and location. The interview process typically includes a recruiter screen, technical phone rounds, and a full loop of coding and system design interviews. You can browse currently open Senior Software Development Engineer positions at Microsoft that are open to visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate before applying directly.
Which visa types does Microsoft commonly use for Senior Software Development Engineers?
Microsoft sponsors H-1B, E-3 visa (for Australian citizens), H-1B1 visa (for Singaporean and Chilean nationals), and immigrant visas under the EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based categories for Senior SDE roles. E-3 visa and H-1B1 are particularly efficient options where eligible because they are not subject to the annual H-1B lottery and can be filed year-round.
What qualifications does Microsoft expect for Senior Software Development Engineer candidates?
Microsoft's Senior SDE level generally requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related field, plus several years of professional software engineering experience. Beyond credentials, the bar emphasizes system design capability, demonstrated ownership of complex technical problems, and the ability to drive decisions across engineering teams. A strong USCIS specialty occupation case depends on the degree-to-role match, so field alignment matters.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Senior SDE offer at Microsoft?
For cap-subject H-1B cases, the timeline runs from an April lottery registration to an October 1 start date, meaning a typical offer-to-start gap of five to six months. E-3 and H-1B1 visa cases can move faster, often within four to eight weeks after offer acceptance. USCIS premium processing, available for an additional fee, can reduce petition adjudication to roughly 15 business days.