Principal Software Engineer - AI Platform Development (Azure PostgreSQL)

OverviewAre you passionate about advancing database systems to support the next generation of AI-powered applications? Do you thrive on building deep infrastructure like vector indexing, semantic search, and graph-aware query engines inside a trusted open-source database? Join us as we extend PostgreSQL to natively support AI workloads, combining strong systems engineering with meaningful developer impact. The Azure PostgreSQL team is building advanced, cloud-native capabilities that extend PostgreSQL into a trusted platform for AI workloads. This includes native support for vector search, semantic indexing, graph queries, and in-database model integration. We are looking for a Principal Engineer to lead foundational systems work that enables intelligent applications to run directly inside PostgreSQL with performance, reliability, and scale. This is a high-impact individual contributor role where you will define technical direction, influence platform strategy, and work across teams to build durable, scalable, and production-ready AI-native capabilities into PostgreSQL. About the Team We are a fast-moving, collaborative team focused on extending PostgreSQL to support AI workloads natively. Our work includes vector indexing, semantic query processing, graph data models, and model-aware execution capabilities, all built directly on top of the PostgreSQL engine. We operate at the intersection of distributed systems, database internals, and AI infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on technical rigor and real-world impact. Our culture values curiosity, deep systems thinking, and inclusive collaboration. We believe the best ideas emerge from engineering craftsmanship, open experimentation, and a shared commitment to excellence.ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities - Design and lead the development of core AI capabilities in PostgreSQL including vector indexing, approximate nearest neighbor search, semantic query operators, and graph-native features - Architect in-database support for embedding pipelines and model integration to enable retrieval, reasoning, and inference - Lead system-level design efforts that span the PostgreSQL engine, extension frameworks, storage abstractions, and control plane surfaces - Collaborate with product managers, applied AI researchers, and platform teams to define use cases and translate them into scalable and intuitive capabilities - Contribute to production-grade implementation of complex systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and operability - Set technical direction and engineering quality standards through code and design reviews, prototyping, and mentorship - Act as a technical connector across teams, driving alignment on design, extensibility patterns, and developer experience - Stay current on trends in vector databases, graph systems, and AI workloads, applying academic and open-source innovation to real-world engineering Why Join Us - Impact: Shape how developers build AI-powered applications by evolving one of the world’s most trusted open-source databases to support vector search, semantic indexing, graph queries, and model integration. - Innovation: Work on technically challenging problems at the forefront of databases, distributed systems, and AI infrastructure. - Growth: Expand your technical leadership, influence platform direction, and build a visible track record of meaningful contributions in a critical area of cloud and AI development. - Community: Join a team that values deep systems thinking, open collaboration, and inclusive engineering. We care about learning, craftsmanship, and building durable technology that matters.QualificationsRequired Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related technical field AND significant experience in systems-level engineering, including work on database engines, distributed systems, or high-scale infrastructure - Proficiency in one or more systems programming languages such as C, C++, or Rust - Experience with PostgreSQL or similar engines at the extension, indexing, or query execution level - Proven track record of leading design and implementation of complex systems and delivering them to production Preferred Qualifications - Experience implementing vector indexes, ANN search algorithms, or semantic retrieval mechanisms - Background in graph data modeling or graph query execution - Familiarity with embedding generation, model hosting, or integration of LLMs into data pipelines - Prior contributions to open-source databases or AI systems - Demonstrated technical leadership, mentorship, and a collaborative, cross-functional mindset. - Commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and building an inclusive, high-performing engineering culture. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form. Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.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.