As a Software Engineer II, you will be a key player in the Azure SQL Database Resource Governance team, helping us build and scale the next generation of SQL database offerings. You will play an essential role in transforming Azure SQL DB into a world-class, serverless database platform—providing a seamless, scalable experience for our customers, while ensuring performance, cost-efficiency, and operational reliability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cloud Solution Development. Contribute to the entire lifecycle of Azure SQL DB offerings—research, prototyping, development, deployment, and operational readiness. Build and maintain scalable cloud solutions that handle millions of databases worldwide.
2. Serverless Innovation. Extend serverless database capabilities across Azure SQL offerings. Focus on optimizing the pay-for-use model, allowing customers to scale their databases efficiently without needing to manage resource allocation explicitly.
3. Load Balancing & Resource Optimization. Improve the Resource Governance system to intelligently balance load across the system and make real-time decisions about resource provisioning for Azure SQL DB instances, ensuring cost efficiency and performance.
4. System Performance & Scalability. Identify opportunities for performance tuning and improvements in large-scale distributed systems. Ensure the system can scale to accommodate a growing number of users and massive amounts of data.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration. Work closely with other engineering teams—SQL Engine, Service Fabric, and telemetry teams—to ensure a seamless experience for customers. Collaborate on cross-team initiatives to improve system architecture and deliver end-to-end solutions.
6. Data-Driven Decision Making. Leverage telemetry and monitoring systems to make data-driven decisions about system optimization, resource management, and performance improvements.
7. Mentorship & Leadership. As a Software Engineer II, you will mentor junior engineers, share knowledge, and help guide architectural decisions. Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation within your team.
8. Testing & Debugging. Ensure the quality of your code through rigorous testing and debugging practices. Drive the integration of new features into the SQL ecosystem while maintaining high standards of reliability, performance, and security.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 4+ years of experience in software development, with a strong command of programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, Python, or JavaScript.
• Experience with relational database technologies, with proficiency in SQL.
• Solid experience with distributed systems and cloud computing.
• Expertise in designing and implementing scalable and highly available systems.
• Strong debugging, problem-solving, and performance tuning skills.
• Familiarity with cloud-native platforms and services (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with RDBMS engines. Hands-on experience with SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or other RDBMS engines, especially at scale.
2. Experience with Distributed Systems. Deep understanding of building and maintaining large-scale, distributed systems with considerations for scalability, reliability, and fault-tolerance.
3. Operating Systems Knowledge. Understanding of low-level OS concepts like memory management, caching, thread scheduling, and how they impact database systems.
4. Experience with Telemetry and Monitoring. Familiarity with monitoring, logging, and real-time telemetry systems that can influence system-level decisions for performance and scaling.
5. Cloud Computing. Experience working with cloud-native technologies (Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, etc.) and the challenges associated with deploying and maintaining cloud-based applications.

Why Microsoft?

1. Work on Impactful Projects. Work on technologies that power millions of users around the globe. Your work will directly impact how businesses leverage their data and make decisions at scale.
2. Innovative Environment. Microsoft is known for its culture of innovation and diversity, where new ideas and creative problem-solving are encouraged and celebrated.
3. Career Growth. Join a company that invests heavily in the professional growth and development of its employees. You will have access to extensive learning resources, mentorship opportunities, and the ability to move across roles and teams.
4. Work-Life Balance. Microsoft offers flexible working hours, remote work options, and a supportive work environment that allows you to balance personal and professional commitments.
5. Competitive Benefits. Enjoy health insurance, retirement savings, employee stock options, parental leave, and many other benefits that support both your career and personal life.
6. Inclusive Culture. Microsoft fosters an inclusive, diverse workplace where employees are empowered to bring their best selves to work. We value diverse perspectives and believe that inclusion fuels innovation.

How to Apply. If you are a passionate software engineer eager to work on challenging problems in the cloud computing and database systems space, apply now and become a part of Microsoft’s journey to empower organizations to achieve more through the Azure SQL Database platform.