Principal Software Engineering Lead

The Xbox Experiences Foundry team owns the application platform and release infrastructure that enables Xbox experiences across Console, PC, Mobile, Handhelds, Smart TVs, and Web. Our mission is to make it easy for Xbox teams to build, ship, and operate reliable experiences for players around the world. 

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineering Lead to help evolve the platform that underpins Xbox applications. In this role, you will lead a team responsible for core platform capabilities including application hosting, build and release systems, deployment infrastructure, and shared runtime components used across Xbox apps. This work directly impacts how quickly new Xbox experiences reach players and how reliably they operate once deployed. 

In this role you and your team are responsible for the core platform infrastructure that powers Xbox applications across devices, including the systems that enable teams to build, deploy, and operate their experiences. Your team will drive improvements to build, release, and deployment systems so teams can ship quickly while maintaining safety and reliability.

You will strengthen platform reliability and observability through improved operational capabilities, while partnering with product managers, designers, and engineering teams across Xbox to understand developer needs and evolve the platform accordingly. This role also involves establishing durable technical patterns and best practices that improve development velocity and system resilience, while balancing platform reliability, developer productivity, and feature delivery across a complex ecosystem of applications and services. 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals while creating a culture where everyone can thrive. 

Technical Leadership:   

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to a team of highly skilled software engineers, both in modern web technologies such as JavaScript and TypeScript, as well as device native languages (like C++, Swift and/or Kotlin.) and frameworks like React Native. 
• Cultivate an AI forward development model, empowering engineers to develop tools and systems that take advantage of agentic software development practices. 
• Mentor team members using both formal training sessions and on-the-job coaching, promoting continuous professional growth and adherence to best software development practices.   
• Actively participate in code reviews, setting and upholding coding standards, and that code is optimized for diagnosability, reliability, and maintainability.   

Operational Excellence:   

• Oversee the operation of live services, utilizing analytics to monitor system performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage and refine the on-call rotation system to ensure rapid and efficient problem resolution.   

Innovation in Service Deployment and Maintenance:   

• Innovate and streamline the deployment and maintenance processes to enhance the reliability and efficiency of services with minimal manual intervention.   
• Lead initiatives to improve system architecture and development practices that cater to the needs of a dynamic and scalable web platform.  

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:   

• Work closely with program managers and UX/UI designers to ensure a seamless integration of technical, aesthetic, and functional aspects in product development.
• Drive the strategy for a design-oriented engineering culture, translating design visions into technically feasible solutions that enhance user interaction and satisfaction.    

Impact and Learning Orientation:   

• Remain highly motivated and eager to make a measurable impact on the platform and its user base.   
• Embrace a learning mindset, continuously seeking new technologies and methods to enhance team performance and product quality.
• Embody our Culture and Values   

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years