Job Overview

Microsoft is hiring a Software Engineer II for its Windows Servicing and Delivery organization in Hyderabad, Telangana. This onsite software engineering opportunity is part of the Customer Focused Engineering team, which works on improving the security, reliability, compatibility, and overall quality of the Windows operating system. The position involves engineering work across important Windows components and scenarios, including OS security, the Windows kernel, Hyper-V, enterprise environments, cloud scenarios, servers, and other devices within the Windows ecosystem.

The role is suited to software engineers who enjoy working close to the operating system, investigating difficult technical problems, and delivering reliable fixes for customers. You will contribute to new Windows features as well as security and reliability improvements, while working with engineers and partner teams across Microsoft. The position also provides an opportunity to mentor junior engineers and contribute to improvements in engineering tools and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance Windows capabilities that support enterprise and cloud scenarios.
• Investigate security vulnerabilities and customer-reported technical issues by reproducing, debugging, and resolving problems.
• Create reliable fixes with strong attention to software quality and application compatibility.
• Contribute new functionality to the Windows operating system and related components.
• Analyze and prioritize engineering work while delivering fixes and updates within expected timelines.
• Work with escalation engineers and partner teams to debug, test, develop, and release Windows kernel fixes.
• Investigate complex software behavior and identify practical solutions that improve platform reliability.
• Improve engineering products, internal tools, and development processes for long-term technical benefits.
• Share technical knowledge and mentor junior engineers within the team.

Required Skills

Candidates should have professional software engineering experience with strong coding fundamentals. The required qualification includes at least two years of technical engineering experience using one or more programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.

A strong foundation in software design, debugging, problem solving, and engineering quality is important for this role. Candidates should be able to understand unfamiliar code, investigate complex failures, and work methodically toward reliable solutions. Experience with multi-threaded applications and scalable systems is valuable because the position involves system-level and server-side engineering challenges.

The ability to work with existing codebases is particularly important. Engineers may need to investigate customer issues, security problems, or platform behavior and determine how a change could affect application compatibility and system reliability.

Preferred Skills

Microsoft prefers candidates with five or more years of professional software development experience, although the required qualification starts at two years of technical engineering experience. Experience with C and C++ is especially relevant for Windows system-level development. Familiarity with C# can also be useful.

Hands-on debugging experience is highly valuable, and knowledge of WinDBG is desirable. Experience working with Windows system-level programming, server-side applications, multi-threaded software, or highly scalable systems can strengthen a candidate's profile.

Experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies is also preferred. Familiarity with Azure or broader cloud infrastructure can be useful when working on enterprise and cloud-related Windows scenarios.

Education

A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical discipline is required, or candidates may qualify through equivalent experience. A BS in Computer Science or an equivalent qualification is preferred.

Experience

The minimum requirement is 2+ years of technical engineering experience involving software development and coding. The preferred profile includes 5+ years of professional software development experience. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate practical experience in software design, debugging, problem solving, and development using languages relevant to the role.

Experience with Windows system programming, operating-system components, kernel-related development, multi-threaded applications, scalable software, or server-side systems can be particularly relevant. Candidates who have worked with large or unfamiliar codebases and resolved complex technical issues should highlight those accomplishments in their applications.

Required Technologies

• C
• C++
• C#
• Java
• JavaScript
• Python
• Windows Operating System
• Windows Kernel
• Hyper-V
• WinDBG
• Azure
• Cloud Infrastructure
• Agile
• Scrum

Not every listed programming language is required. Candidates should focus on the languages and technologies they have actually used professionally and explain their contribution where possible.

Soft Skills

Strong communication is important because the role involves collaboration with escalation engineers and partner teams across Microsoft. Candidates should be able to explain technical problems clearly in both written and verbal communication.

A structured approach to debugging and problem solving is essential. Engineers should be comfortable examining evidence, understanding unfamiliar systems, identifying root causes, and choosing solutions that balance correctness, reliability, security, and compatibility.

The position also values teamwork in a diverse and global environment. Ownership, adaptability, mentoring ability, attention to quality, and a willingness to improve engineering processes can help candidates succeed.

Benefits of Working in this Role

This role provides an opportunity to work directly on Windows technologies that support enterprise, cloud, server, and device scenarios. Engineers can gain experience with operating-system development, security, debugging, system reliability, compatibility, and complex software engineering problems.

The position also offers exposure to cross-team engineering at a global technology organization. Working with partner teams on customer issues and platform improvements can help engineers strengthen both technical depth and collaboration skills. Mentoring junior engineers provides an additional opportunity to develop technical leadership capabilities.

Work Mode

This is a fully onsite position according to the provided job information. The role may involve less than 25% travel.

Location

The position is based in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is suitable for software engineers with at least two years of professional technical engineering experience who are interested in Windows platform development and system-level software engineering. It can be a strong match for engineers with experience in C, C++, C#, or related programming languages and an interest in debugging complex operating-system or server-side problems.

Candidates with Windows system programming experience, kernel development exposure, WinDBG knowledge, multi-threaded programming experience, or Azure and cloud infrastructure familiarity should consider highlighting these skills prominently. Engineers who enjoy solving customer-reported problems and improving software quality may also find the role relevant.

Career Growth

The role can help engineers build deeper expertise in Windows internals, system-level programming, security, debugging, reliability, and large-scale software engineering. Collaboration with experienced engineers and partner teams can broaden technical knowledge across different parts of the Windows ecosystem.

The opportunity to mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering tools and processes can also support progression toward greater technical ownership and leadership responsibilities. Experience with enterprise and cloud scenarios can further strengthen a software engineer's understanding of modern platform engineering.

Application Advice

When applying, emphasize hands-on software development experience rather than listing technologies without context. Clearly describe projects where you designed, implemented, debugged, tested, or improved software.

If you have worked with C or C++, Windows internals, system-level programming, multi-threaded applications, server-side systems, or WinDBG, make those areas easy to identify on your resume. Include measurable outcomes where they are available, particularly for reliability, performance, security, debugging, or customer-impacting improvements.

Also mention experience with Agile or Scrum, Azure or cloud infrastructure, global engineering teams, codebase investigation, and mentoring if applicable. Since this is an onsite Software Engineer II opportunity in Hyderabad, ensure your application accurately reflects your availability and relevant professional experience.