Overview

As Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI, we are on the lookout for passionate individuals to work with us on the most interesting and challenging AI questions of our time. Our vision is bold and broad — to build systems that have true artificial intelligence across agents, applications, services, and infrastructure. It’s also inclusive: we aim to make AI accessible to all — consumers, businesses, developers — so that everyone can realize its benefits.

Microsoft AI (MAI) is seeking an experienced Backend Engineer to help build Copilot memory and personalization — AI that remembers, evolves, and grows with each user. You’ll work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment to develop systems that deepen memory with every interaction, personalize experiences to reflect each user’s unique style and goals, and make interactions feel more like working with a trusted partner than using a tool.

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.

By applying to this U.S. Mountain View, CA position, you are required to be local to the San Francisco area and in office 3 days a week.

Starting January 26, 2026, MAI employees are expected to work from a designated Microsoft office at least four days a week if they live within 50 miles (U.S.) or 25 miles (non-U.S., country-specific) of that location. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

Design and build large-scale Copilot memory and personalization systems leveraging search, embeddings, retrieval, ranking, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
Apply subject-matter expertise in cross-product features, collaborating with appropriate stakeholders to drive project plans, release plans, and deliverables across multiple groups.
Hold accountability as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI), mentoring engineers across products/solutions, working on-call to monitor system/product/service for degradation, downtime, or interruptions.
Proactively seek out new knowledge and adapt to new trends, technical solutions, and patterns that improve the availability, reliability, efficiency, observability, and performance of products while also driving consistency in monitoring and operations at scale and share knowledge with other engineers.
Enjoy working in a fast-paced, design-driven, product development cycle.
Navigate ambiguity and clear roadblocks to deliver solutions quickly and iteratively, ensuring they reach users effectively.
Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required Qualification

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++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.

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, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, 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, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
Thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are comfortable making progress in ambiguity.
Experience building and deploying machine learning or large language model (LLM) applications at scale.
Experience designing and implementing large-scale embedding, retrieval, and ranking systems.

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

Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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.

Member of Technical Staff - Backend Engineer, Copilot Memory and Personalization