Senior Software Engineer | UX Full Stack

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer | UX Full Stack Company: Microsoft Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Software Engineering / UX Engineering Date Posted: 2025-11-19 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Software Engineer role focuses on providing technical leadership and architectural guidance for building robust, scalable, and intuitive full-stack solutions.
• The position emphasizes delivering high-quality, maintainable, and secure code across both front-end and back-end layers, with a strong focus on performance and usability for enhanced user experiences.
• A key aspect involves driving innovation through the research and adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen the UX engineering stack.
• This role requires close collaboration with Product Management, Design, and Engineering teams to translate user needs into elegant, responsive, and accessible interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input data clearly defines this as a Senior Software Engineer role, the emphasis on "UX Full Stack" and "user experiences" positions it within a specialized area of software development that bridges core engineering with user interface and experience design principles. For operations professionals, this role's success hinges on the efficient and effective implementation and scaling of user-facing features, making it relevant to understanding the operational impact of user-centric development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for the design, development, and deployment of full-stack web applications.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code for both front-end (e.g., React, Angular, Vue) and back-end (e.g., Node.js, .NET, Python) components.
• Ensure the performance, scalability, security, and usability of all developed solutions.
• Collaborate with Product Managers and UX Designers to translate user stories and design mockups into functional, high-quality user interfaces.
• Drive the evaluation and adoption of new technologies, frameworks, and tools to improve development velocity and product quality.
• Identify and resolve technical issues across development, testing, and production environments.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, CI/CD pipelines, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of technical execution, architectural thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. For operations professionals, understanding how these responsibilities translate into system stability, efficient release cycles, and user adoption is critical. The emphasis on "robust, scalable, and intuitive full-stack solutions" directly impacts the operational overhead and support required post-launch.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Master's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field (preferred for more experienced candidates).

Experience:

• Minimum of 4+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
• 3+ years of experience with modern front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue).
• Preferred: 8+ years of technical engineering experience (or 6+ years with a Master's degree).
• Preferred: 5+ years of professional software engineering experience with modern front-end frameworks.
• Preferred: 2+ years of back-end development experience using technologies like Node.js, .NET, or Python.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python.
• Strong experience with modern front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.
• Solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and responsive design principles.
• Experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) and agile methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Deep understanding of templating systems and component-based architecture.
• Proven track record of designing scalable APIs and microservices.
• Expertise in JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools.
• Passion for learning and staying current with industry trends, especially in web development and AI.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and adopt emerging technologies.
• Proven track record of cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications clearly delineate between required and preferred skills, indicating a strong preference for candidates with deep experience in both front-end and back-end development, as well as modern frameworks and cloud technologies. For operations roles, this depth of technical expertise suggests a need for robust, well-architected systems that are easier to maintain, monitor, and scale, reducing operational friction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of full-stack application development, showcasing both front-end UI implementation and back-end API design and integration.
• Examples of scalable and performant code, with clear explanations of architectural decisions and trade-offs made.
• Case studies detailing the development of user-centric features, highlighting how user needs were translated into technical solutions.
• Evidence of experience with modern front-end frameworks (React, Angular, Vue) and back-end technologies (Node.js, .NET, Python).
• Projects that showcase understanding and application of responsive design principles and accessibility standards.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document architectural designs, API specifications, and system workflows clearly and comprehensively.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and best practices for code management and collaboration.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and the ability to contribute to their automation and improvement.
• Documentation of problem-solving approaches for complex technical challenges, including root cause analysis and resolution strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a traditional "operations portfolio" might focus on process optimization and system implementation, for a senior engineering role with a UX focus, the portfolio should demonstrate the candidate's ability to build efficient, scalable, and user-friendly systems. This includes showcasing the underlying processes of development, testing, and deployment that ensure operational readiness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The typical base pay range for this role (Software Engineering IC4) across Canada is CAD $114,400 - CAD $203,900 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plans, such as a 401(k) equivalent with company matching.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• Employee stock purchase programs or grants.
• Parental leave policies.
• Access to company wellness programs and resources.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week is typically 40 hours.
• Flexibility may be offered to accommodate project needs and personal work-life balance, consistent with team and business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to Canada and the IC4 level at Microsoft, reflecting a competitive compensation package for senior engineering talent. For operations professionals, understanding these compensation benchmarks is useful for evaluating their own market value and for understanding the investment Microsoft makes in its engineering talent, which often correlates with the quality and maintainability of the systems they build.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development, Technology, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence. Company Size: Microsoft is a large, multinational technology corporation with hundreds of thousands of employees globally. Founded: 1975, with a long history of innovation in personal computing, software, and cloud services.

Team Structure:

• The UX Full Stack Engineering team is likely part of a larger product or engineering division within Microsoft.
• It will comprise engineers with diverse specializations in front-end, back-end, and UX design.
• Reporting structures will align with Microsoft's established engineering hierarchy, with senior engineers often leading specific features or components.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, involving close partnerships with Product Management, Design, Research, and other Engineering teams.

Methodology:

• Data-driven development is a core principle, utilizing user telemetry, A/B testing, and performance metrics to inform decisions.
• Agile methodologies are widely adopted, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability.
• A strong focus on engineering excellence, code quality, and robust testing practices.
• Emphasis on innovation and exploration of cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to enhance products and user experiences.

Company Website: https://www.microsoft.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture is generally characterized by innovation, a focus on large-scale impact, and a commitment to empowering individuals and organizations. For operations roles, this translates to working within highly structured yet dynamic environments, where efficiency, scalability, and data integrity are paramount for supporting global product offerings.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior individual contributor (IC4) level within the engineering hierarchy. It signifies a high degree of technical expertise, problem-solving capability, and the ability to provide technical leadership and architectural direction for complex projects.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Software Engineer will likely report to an Engineering Manager or a Principal Engineer/Architect, who oversees a team or a specific area of the product. They may also work closely with Group Program Managers (GPMs) and UX Designers.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role, the impact of this Senior Software Engineer is significant from an operational perspective. By building robust, scalable, and maintainable systems, they reduce the long-term operational burden associated with bug fixes, performance issues, and system downtime. Their focus on user experience directly influences customer satisfaction and adoption rates, impacting business metrics that operations teams often track and support.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of full-stack development, cloud architecture, or emerging technologies like AI.
• Technical Leadership: Progress to Principal Engineer or Architect roles, taking on broader architectural responsibilities and influencing technology strategy across multiple teams.
• Management Track: Transition into an Engineering Manager role, leading and developing teams of engineers.
• Cross-Team Mobility: Move to different product groups or divisions within Microsoft to gain broader experience.
• Mentorship & Training: Become a key mentor for junior engineers and contribute to internal training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The IC4 level at Microsoft implies a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. For operations professionals, this means the systems developed are likely to be critical and complex, requiring sophisticated operational support and a deep understanding of the underlying engineering principles. Growth opportunities are abundant, reflecting Microsoft's investment in employee development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Microsoft typically operates modern, well-equipped office spaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity. This role is designated as on-site, indicating a need for regular presence at the Vancouver office.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Microsoft's office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This location is known for its vibrant tech scene and access to talent.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be open-plan or feature dedicated team areas, designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among engineers, designers, and product managers.
• Access to cutting-edge development tools, high-performance computing resources, and internal Microsoft platforms will be readily available.
• Opportunities will exist for informal and formal interactions with colleagues, fostering a strong team dynamic and knowledge-sharing environment.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time (approximately 40 hours per week).
• While on-site, there is often flexibility in daily start and end times, provided project deadlines and team collaboration needs are met. This allows for efficient execution of development tasks and participation in crucial team syncs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement for this role suggests a collaborative development environment where real-time interaction, whiteboarding sessions, and direct team communication are valued for complex problem-solving and innovation. This contrasts with remote roles where operational processes might be more heavily reliant on asynchronous communication and digital tooling.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and may conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.
• Technical Phone/Video Interview(s): Expect one or more interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, system design, and coding challenges. These will likely involve live coding exercises.
• On-Site/Virtual Loop Interview: This typically involves a series of interviews with different team members (engineers, managers, potentially a designer or PM). It will include more in-depth technical discussions, system design scenarios, and behavioral questions.
• Portfolio Review (Implicit): While not a separate step, your resume and any linked projects will be reviewed for evidence of skills and experience. Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail.
• Final Interview/Debrief: A final discussion with a hiring manager or senior team member to assess overall fit and align on expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Full-Stack Capabilities: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates projects where you've worked on both front-end and back-end components.
• Highlight UX Impact: For projects, emphasize how your technical contributions directly improved user experience, performance, or usability. Use metrics where possible.
• Detail Architectural Decisions: Be prepared to explain the "why" behind your technical choices, including trade-offs made in system design, framework selection, and API structure.
• Code Quality: If possible, link to public repositories (e.g., GitHub) that showcase clean, well-organized, and documented code.
• Problem-Solving Examples: Prepare to discuss challenging technical problems you've encountered and how you solved them, focusing on your thought process and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Algorithm & Data Structure Practice: Utilize platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert to hone your skills in common interview algorithms and data structures.
• System Design: Study common system design patterns and practice designing scalable systems (e.g., URL shorteners, social media feeds, e-commerce platforms). Focus on aspects like scalability, availability, and consistency.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses for common behavioral questions related to teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and handling failure.
• Microsoft Culture: Research Microsoft's values and recent product announcements to demonstrate your interest and cultural alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior engineering role at a company like Microsoft is rigorous and multi-faceted, testing not only technical prowess but also problem-solving abilities and cultural fit. For operations professionals, understanding this process can provide insights into the rigorous standards applied to system development, which directly impacts operational reliability and efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Front-End Frameworks: React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Back-End Technologies: Node.js, .NET, Python.
• Programming Languages: C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript.
• Version Control: Git (with platforms like GitHub, Azure Repos).
• IDEs: Visual Studio, VS Code, or relevant IDEs for chosen languages.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Telemetry & Monitoring: Internal Microsoft tools or industry-standard solutions for application performance monitoring (APM) and user behavior analytics.
• Data Visualization: Tools for presenting data insights from user interactions and system performance.

CRM & Automation:

• Cloud Platforms: Azure (highly probable given Microsoft's ecosystem), AWS, or GCP for deployment, hosting, and infrastructure management.
• CI/CD Tools: Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar for automated build, test, and deployment pipelines.
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes for microservices deployment and orchestration.
• API Gateway/Management: Tools for managing and securing APIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is representative of a modern, large-scale software development environment. For operations professionals, familiarity with these tools is crucial for understanding how systems are built, deployed, and monitored, and for effectively supporting the development lifecycle. The strong emphasis on Azure suggests that experience with Microsoft's cloud services will be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding high standards for code quality, reliability, and security, taking ownership of technical decisions and their outcomes.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizing user experience and delivering solutions that meet or exceed customer needs and expectations.
• Innovation & Curiosity: Continuously exploring new technologies and approaches to solve complex problems and drive product advancement.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive and productive work environment.
• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high-quality deliverables, robust engineering practices, and continuous improvement in all aspects of work.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Close collaboration with Product Management, Design, and other Engineering teams is essential for aligning on requirements, user experience goals, and technical implementation.
• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where ideas can be freely shared, feedback is constructively given and received, and diverse perspectives are valued.
• Agile & Iterative: Working in an agile manner, with regular team syncs, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in code reviews, design discussions, and internal tech talks to share expertise and learn from others.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture emphasizes both individual contribution and collective success. For operations professionals, understanding these values helps in aligning with the engineering team's priorities and in anticipating how system changes will be driven by customer needs and a commitment to quality.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling Complex Systems: Ensuring that full-stack solutions remain performant, scalable, and reliable as user bases and data volumes grow.
• Integrating Emerging Technologies: Effectively evaluating, adopting, and integrating new technologies (e.g., AI, advanced frameworks) into existing product lines while managing risk.
• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Driving innovation without compromising the stability and maintainability of production systems.
• Cross-Team Dependencies: Navigating complex dependencies and ensuring seamless integration with other Microsoft products and services.
• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of front-end, back-end, and cloud technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Access to cutting-edge research and development within Microsoft.
• Extensive internal training programs and access to online learning platforms.
• Opportunities to attend industry conferences and workshops.
• Mentorship from senior engineers and architects within the company.
• Exposure to a wide range of technologies and complex problem domains.
• Potential for internal mobility to explore different product areas or technical challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are typical of senior positions at large tech companies, requiring a blend of technical depth, strategic thinking, and adaptability. For operations teams, understanding these challenges highlights the importance of robust monitoring, automated testing, and well-defined incident response processes to support the development and deployment of these complex systems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• System Design: "Design a system to handle real-time user activity tracking for a large-scale web application." Expect to discuss components like data ingestion, processing, storage, and retrieval, focusing on scalability, latency, and fault tolerance.
• Coding Challenges: Be prepared for medium to hard difficulty algorithm and data structure problems, often involving string manipulation, arrays, trees, or graphs. Focus on optimal solutions and clear explanations of time/space complexity.
• Behavioral Questions: "Tell me about a time you disagreed with a technical decision. How did you handle it?" or "Describe a complex bug you encountered and how you debugged it." Prepare STAR method responses.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Microsoft and this specific role?" Research Microsoft's mission, recent product launches (especially in AI and UX), and the specific team's focus.
• "How do you stay up-to-date with emerging technologies?" Discuss your personal learning habits, blogs you follow, conferences you attend, or side projects.
• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a difficult stakeholder." Focus on communication, empathy, and finding common ground.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific role, the technologies used, and the quantifiable impact or outcome.
• Technical Depth: Be ready to dive deep into the architecture, design choices, and technical challenges of your projects.
• UX/Performance Emphasis: Highlight instances where your work directly improved user experience, application performance, or system efficiency.
• Conciseness: Practice presenting your key projects within a limited timeframe (e.g., 5-10 minutes per project).

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for a senior engineering interview at Microsoft requires a comprehensive approach, covering technical skills, problem-solving, behavioral competencies, and cultural alignment. For operations professionals, this detailed preparation process underscores the high bar set for talent acquisition, ensuring that the engineering output is of the highest caliber, thereby minimizing future operational complexities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Software Engineer position:

• Visit the Microsoft Careers website and search for the job title "Senior Software Engineer | UX Full Stack" or use the provided URL.
• Submit your resume and any supporting documents (e.g., cover letter, portfolio link) through the online application portal.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with full-stack development, modern front-end frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), back-end technologies (Node.js, .NET, Python), and any relevant cloud or CI/CD experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio (e.g., GitHub, personal website) is up-to-date and showcases projects demonstrating your full-stack capabilities, UX focus, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Interview Practice: Begin practicing coding challenges (algorithms, data structures) and system design scenarios. Prepare STAR method responses for common behavioral questions.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's current initiatives, products, and values, particularly those related to Azure, AI, and user experience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides a comprehensive overview based on the provided input and industry standards. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review the official job posting on the Microsoft Careers site for the most accurate and up-to-date information, and to prepare thoroughly for the rigorous interview process.