Software Engineer II - C++ for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Overview

Security represents the most critical priorities for our customers in a world awash in digital threats, regulatory scrutiny, and estate complexity. Microsoft Security aspires to make the world a safer place for all. We want to reshape security and empower every user, customer, and developer with a security cloud that protects them with end to end, simplified solutions. The Microsoft Security organization accelerates Microsoft’s mission and bold ambitions to ensure that our company and industry is securing digital technology platforms, devices, and clouds in our customers’ heterogeneous environments, as well as ensuring the security of our own internal estate.

The Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) team focuses on protecting consumers and businesses from cyber threats. The team's mission is to provide users with technologies for proactive protection, detection, and response, aiming to address current and future security challenges.

We’re looking for a Software Engineer II - C++ to join our team and contribute to the development of endpoint protection solutions, including optimizing for recent Windows OS features. This role involves improving performance and reliability, supporting platform scalability, and implementing changes throughout the Defender stack.

The position provides opportunities for professional development, cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to broader Microsoft business operations while contributing to security initiatives.

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.

This Hybrid position is located at our Microsoft office in Redmond, Washington. Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates will need to relocate or reside within 50 miles of the field location. 

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, well-tested, secure, and maintainable code.
• Contribute to architecture, design, code reviews, and development of mission-critical components.
• Build deep knowledge in a key area of the Defender protection stack and drive continuous improvements.
• Promote best practices and help create a collaborative, high-quality environment by providing constructive feedback during design and code reviews, and continuously improving security, compliance, and quality standards.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across Microsoft—including Engineering, Research, and PM—and partner with Defender and Windows teams.
• Participate in a shared on-call rotation to ensure reliability and customer trust.
  
  

Embody our  Culture  and  Values

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 2+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, C, C++, C#, or Python
• OR equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience designing, developing, or maintaining secure software systems, with applied knowledge of authentication, data protection, access control, and secure coding practices
  

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.
  
  

Additional Or Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 3+ 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 5+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
• OR equivalent experience
• Experience working in Windows OS, Window Internals and/or Kernel Drivers (and/or similar systems programming experience)
• Experience with multi-threaded / parallel programming
• Experience architecting and developing scalable, maintainable, and extensible technical solutions.
  

Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $100,600 - $199,000 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 $131,400 - $215,400 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until November 18,2025

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form .

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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