Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft with Visa Sponsorship

Senior Software Development Engineer roles 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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Overview

Open Jobs41+
Top Visa TypeGreen Card
Work Type98% On-site
Median Salary$189K
Top LocationRedmond, WA
Most JobsMicrosoft

Showing 5 of 41+ Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft jobs

Microsoft
Senior Software Engineer
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Microsoft
Added 1d ago
Senior Software Engineer
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Cloud Engineering
Backend Engineering
$119,800/yr - $258,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
iOS Senior Software Engineer
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Microsoft
Added 1mo ago
iOS Senior Software Engineer
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Mobile Engineering (iOS/Android)
Backend Engineering
$119,800/yr - $258,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
Principal/Senior Software Engineer
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Microsoft
Added 2mo ago
Principal/Senior Software Engineer
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Cloud Engineering
Backend Engineering
$119,800/yr - $304,200/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
Software Engineer II + Senior Software Engineer
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Microsoft
Added 3mo ago
Software Engineer II + Senior Software Engineer
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
MLOps
Backend Engineering
$100,600/yr - $258,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Microsoft
Senior Software Engineer - Responsible AI
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Microsoft
Added 4mo ago
Senior Software Engineer - Responsible AI
Microsoft
Redmond, Washington
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Backend Engineering
$119,800/yr - $258,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See all 41+ Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft

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Tips for Finding Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs at Microsoft Jobs

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.

Senior Software Development Engineer at Microsoft jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

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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 (for Australian citizens), H-1B1 (for Singaporean and Chilean nationals), and immigrant visas under the EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based categories for Senior SDE roles. E-3 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 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.

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