Principal Software Engineering Manager - Search

Windows Search is undergoing a fundamental transformation — evolving from a traditional desktop file indexer into an intelligent, AI-powered Search Platform that underpins how users, applications, and AI agents discover, retrieve, and reason over information across the Windows ecosystem. We’re also making strides in the development of Windows AI Platform equipping developers with robust tools to build AI-powered applications. Through offerings such as Windows ML, WebNN, and Foundry, the team simplifies the processes of model conversion, optimisation, and hardware acceleration, making it easier for developers to integrate advanced AI capabilities into their applications.

Come join our frontier engineering organization in the Windows Platform and Developer (WPD) division — specifically the Search and AI Platform team — focused on building the next-generation search that powers File Explorer, Universal Search, Copilot, and future MCP/LLM integrations and Windows AI Platform which powers developers to integration advanced AI capabilities into applications. We are looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer Manager to lead a team of 7-10 engineers delivering platform-level search and AI Platform capabilities spanning local lexical and AI-powered semantic search with AI models running securely and locally on the device. We also work at the cross-section of bringing the power of next-generation Search Platform that brings the best of AI-powered results between Local FileSystem and Federated results sources including OneDrive, Dropbox and M365.

We are excited by candidates who live at the intersection of systems-level programming and platform architecture, are actively riding the wave of AI-assisted software development, and are passionate about growing individual contributors and building a high-performance engineering culture.

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

As the Principal Software Engineering Manager within the Windows Search Platform Engineering team, you will be responsible for:

• Owning the technical direction and architecture for the Windows Search Platform from design through retail delivery.