New

Senior Software Engineer- Virtualization and Kernel

Microsoft
$119,800.00 - $234,700.00 / yr
United States, Texas, Irving
7000 State Highway 161 (Show on map)
Jan 20, 2026
Overview The Virtualization Core Platform hypervisor team builds foundational components of Microsoft's virtualization stack, including Hyper-V, which powers millions of virtual machines across Microsoft Azure and other services. Hyper-V is central to Microsoft's cloud infrastructure and supports workloads at massive scale. Our team works on technologies that enable secure, reliable, and high-performance virtualization across platforms such as Windows and Linux, while collaborating with hardware partners and the open-source community. As a Senior Software Engineer specializing in virtualization and kernel development, you will design and implement low-level components such as hypervisors, kernels, and firmware. You will work closely with silicon partners to enable new hardware features and improve performance, reliability, and security. This role offers opportunities to contribute to datacenter transformation, container technologies, and cross-platform innovation, including support for open-source projects. You will gain experience in operating systems that power Azure, Windows Server, Xbox, and Microsoft's Linux platforms. This position provides exposure to large-scale distributed systems and cutting-edge virtualization technologies, enabling you to make a meaningful impact on Microsoft's cloud ecosystem. 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 Collaborate with a dynamic team of engineers, including mentoring engineers in the workgroup. Learn and share ideas continuously. Drive for quality in everything you do and continuously improve the quality of the systems on which you work. Collaborate across team boundaries to define and drive team charter and vision. Provide technical input across the Azure and Windows teams. Design and implement new virtualization related features for Azure, Windows and Hyper-V. Embody our culture and values. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, Rust. OR equivalent experience. 2+ years experience building operating system, virtualization, or device driver features. 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. Preferred Qualifications 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, C, Rust, C++. OR Python OR Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, Rust, C++. OR equivalent experience. 4+ years experience building operating system, virtualization, or device driver features. #azurecorejobs Software Engineering IC4 - 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: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay 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, read more about requesting accommodations.