Software Engineer II - UX/UI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Engineer II - UX/UI
Company: Microsoft
Location: Redmond, Washington, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Software Engineering / UX/UI Development
Date Posted: January 13, 2026
Experience Level: 2-5 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on designing and developing intelligent, accessible, and inclusive user experiences for the Education technology sector, leveraging modern web technologies.
• A significant aspect of the role involves integrating AI-driven features, including Large Language Models (LLMs), to personalize learning and enhance educator workflows within Microsoft's M365 and Copilot+PC ecosystems.
• The position requires cross-functional collaboration with applied scientists and other engineering teams to bring AI-powered prototypes from concept to production, ensuring seamless experiences across multiple platforms.
• The Software Engineer II will contribute across the full stack, from user interface development to cloud API integration, with a strong emphasis on continuous quality improvement through code reviews, automated testing, and CI/CD pipelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Software Engineer II - UX/UI," the responsibilities and preferred qualifications strongly indicate a hybrid role with a significant front-end development focus complemented by AI/ML integration and some full-stack capabilities. The emphasis on "intelligent, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences" and "AI-driven features" positions this role within the emerging field of AI-enhanced educational technology.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement intelligent, accessible, and inclusive user interfaces and experiences for educational applications using modern web technologies such as ReactJS and TypeScript.
• Integrate cutting-edge AI-driven features, including LLM and ML-powered capabilities, to deliver personalized learning journeys and streamline workflows for educators and students.
• Collaborate closely with applied scientists to translate AI prototypes and research into production-ready features, ensuring successful integration and performance.
• Contribute to the entire software development lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping through implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance, across various platforms including web, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• Drive continuous improvement in code quality, system reliability, and user experience through rigorous code reviews, comprehensive unit testing, and robust CI/CD automation.
• Ensure all developed features meet high standards for accessibility, inclusivity, and performance across a diverse range of devices and operating systems.
• Participate in on-call rotations to proactively address and resolve customer-impacting issues, maintaining high service availability and customer satisfaction.
• Engage in full-stack development activities, contributing to both front-end user interfaces and back-end cloud APIs to ensure scalable and reliable service delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dynamic, iterative development process common in agile environments, emphasizing frequent deployments and rapid learning. The need to ensure seamless experiences across multiple platforms (web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) suggests a need for robust cross-platform development skills and a deep understanding of UI/UX consistency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Equivalent experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2+ years of technical engineering experience with coding in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.
• Preferred: 3+ years of software development and design experience.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern web technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Strong experience with modern JavaScript frameworks, with ReactJS being highly preferred.
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Proficiency in writing unit tests and implementing end-to-end (E2E) automation, with experience in tools like Playwright being beneficial.
• Solid engineering fundamentals and strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly with diverse teams.
• Experience with distributed version control systems, particularly Git.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience building or integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into applications, such as Copilot-like features.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering techniques for optimizing LLM interactions.
• Knowledge of data-driven personalization strategies and adaptive learning systems.
• Experience with cloud-based development environments and APIs.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred qualifications strongly emphasize experience with AI, LLMs, and adaptive learning, indicating a strategic focus for this role within Microsoft's education technology initiatives. The mention of Playwright for E2E automation suggests a mature testing and quality assurance process.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of user interface design and implementation for complex web applications, showcasing proficiency with modern frameworks like ReactJS.
• Case studies detailing the integration of AI or ML features into applications, highlighting the impact on user experience and workflow efficiency.
• Examples of contributions to scalable cloud APIs and back-end services, illustrating full-stack development capabilities.
• Projects that showcase a commitment to accessibility and inclusive design principles, with clear evidence of adherence to relevant standards.
• Evidence of contributions to robust CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks, demonstrating a focus on quality and efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of participation in or contribution to defining and optimizing software development workflows, including agile methodologies.
• Documentation or case studies illustrating the process of prototyping and iterating on AI-driven features based on user feedback and data analysis.
• Demonstrated understanding of the CI/CD process, including build, test, and deployment automation strategies.
• Experience with version control workflows (Git) and collaborative code review processes that foster quality and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to showcase not just technical skills but also their ability to contribute to and improve development processes, particularly in the context of AI integration and iterative development. A portfolio demonstrating end-to-end ownership and impact will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• U.S. General Range: USD $100,600 - $199,000 per year (base pay).
• San Francisco Bay Area/NYC Metro Area Range: USD $131,400 - $215,400 per year (base pay).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plans, including a 401(k) with company match.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee stock purchase program (ESPP) and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Access to Microsoft's extensive learning and development resources, including training, certifications, and tuition reimbursement.
• Employee assistance programs for mental health and well-being.
• Opportunities for remote work flexibility and hybrid arrangements (though this specific role is on-site).
• Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week.
• Potential for flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and project needs.
• Participation in on-call rotations may require availability outside standard working hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges are base pay only and do not include potential bonuses, stock awards, or other forms of compensation. Microsoft often offers a total compensation package that is highly competitive. The specific pay range can vary based on factors such as candidate experience, skills, and the specific cost of labor in the job location. The link provided (https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay) offers additional details on pay and benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software & Services, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Education Technology) Company Size: Large Enterprise (Microsoft is a global leader with hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide). Founded: 1975, with a long history of innovation in personal computing, software, and cloud services.

Team Structure:

• The Education Engineering team operates within Microsoft's broader M365 division, focusing on developing next-generation applications and services for learners and educators.
• This specific role is within the Education UI team, likely comprising front-end developers, UX/UI designers, and potentially product managers.
• The team fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging cross-functional interaction with applied scientists, product teams, and other engineering disciplines.
• Reporting lines are typical of a large tech organization, with engineers reporting to engineering managers who may then report to higher levels of leadership within the M365 or Education vertical.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Engineering: Emphasis on using data to inform design decisions, measure impact, and drive iterative improvements.
• Agile Development: Frequent deployments, rapid iteration, and a focus on service agility are core to the team's operational model.
• Inclusive Design: A strong commitment to creating products that are accessible and usable by everyone, regardless of ability, background, or location.
• AI-First Approach: Actively integrating AI, including LLMs and machine learning, to create more personalized and intelligent user experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's culture emphasizes a "growth mindset," continuous learning, and a commitment to empowering others. The Education Engineering team specifically aims to revolutionize learning, making it a mission-critical and impactful area within the company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Software Engineer II (IC3) - This level typically signifies an individual contributor with a solid foundation in software engineering principles and a growing capacity to take on more complex tasks and contribute independently. It's a mid-level role, often serving as a stepping stone to more senior engineer positions.

Reporting Structure:

• This role reports to an Engineering Manager within the Education UI team.
• Close collaboration is expected with Product Managers, Applied Scientists, and other Software Engineers on the team and in adjacent teams.

Operations Impact:

• The work directly influences the learning experiences of millions of students and educators globally, impacting educational outcomes and accessibility.
• By integrating AI and modern web technologies, the role contributes to Microsoft's strategic vision of empowering every person and organization to achieve more, specifically within the critical education sector.
• Successful implementation of intelligent features can lead to significant improvements in user engagement, learning effectiveness, and operational efficiency for educational institutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in front-end development, AI/ML integration, cloud technologies, or cross-platform development.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior engineers, lead feature development, or take on technical lead responsibilities for projects.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into roles focusing more on applied science, product management, or other specialized engineering areas within Microsoft.
• Continuous Learning: Access to extensive internal training programs, workshops, conferences, and tuition reimbursement for further education.
• Career Path: Clear progression paths exist from Software Engineer II to Senior Software Engineer, Principal Software Engineer, and potentially management tracks.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Software Engineer II, the focus is on developing technical expertise and demonstrating the ability to independently deliver high-quality features. Growth often involves taking on more complex technical challenges, influencing design decisions, and mentoring others.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment with a strong emphasis on on-site collaboration for this specific role. Microsoft's Redmond campus is a large, modern technology hub designed to foster innovation and teamwork. Office Location(s): Redmond, Washington, USA. This is Microsoft's global headquarters, offering extensive amenities and a vibrant tech ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The campus features numerous meeting rooms, open collaboration areas, and design studios to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming sessions.
• Technology Infrastructure: Access to state-of-the-art development tools, high-performance computing resources, and robust network infrastructure essential for modern software development.
• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, stand-ups, code reviews, and cross-functional syncs are integral to the daily workflow, promoting knowledge sharing and problem-solving.
• Amenities: The Redmond campus offers a wide range of amenities, including dining facilities, fitness centers, health services, and recreational areas, supporting employee well-being and productivity.

Work Schedule:

• The role is based on a standard 40-hour work week.
• While the core hours are expected to be on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team needs and manager approval.
• The nature of software development, especially with AI integration and potential on-call duties, may require occasional work outside of standard hours to address critical issues or meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement for this role suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for complex problem-solving, team cohesion, and rapid iteration, especially when working with cutting-edge technologies like AI.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Technical Phone Screen: An interview focused on coding skills, data structures, algorithms, and potentially core concepts related to web development or AI.
• On-site/Virtual Interviews (Multiple Rounds):
  • Coding Interviews: Live coding exercises, often involving problem-solving on a shared editor, testing algorithmic thinking and implementation skills in languages like JavaScript or Python.
  • System Design Interview: Assessing the ability to design scalable, reliable, and maintainable systems, potentially focusing on front-end architecture, API design, or AI integration strategies.
  • Behavioral Interview: Evaluating soft skills, teamwork, problem-solving approaches, and alignment with Microsoft's values (e.g., growth mindset, collaboration, integrity). Questions will probe past experiences and how candidates handled specific situations.
  • UX/UI Focus Interview: May include a review of your portfolio and discussions about design choices, accessibility considerations, and user-centric development.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Final discussion to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with the team's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI/LLM Integration: Showcase projects where you integrated AI, machine learning, or LLMs, emphasizing the problem solved, your specific contribution, and the impact achieved.
• Focus on UX/UI and Accessibility: Clearly demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design principles, modern UI frameworks (ReactJS), and commitment to accessibility (e.g., WCAG compliance).
• Showcase Full-Stack Contributions: If applicable, present projects where you contributed across the stack, from front-end to back-end APIs, demonstrating versatility.
• Detail Process Contributions: Include examples of your involvement in CI/CD, unit testing, E2E automation, and Git workflows, explaining the benefits and improvements you helped implement.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to quantify the success of your projects (e.g., "improved load times by X%", "increased user engagement by Y%", "reduced bug reports by Z%").
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or technology, with clear descriptions, your role, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenges: Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, focusing on JavaScript and common data structures/algorithms. Be prepared to explain your thought process aloud.
• System Design: Study common system design patterns for scalable web applications, APIs, and potentially AI/ML pipelines. Practice drawing diagrams and articulating trade-offs.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses for common behavioral questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, handling conflict, and leadership.
• AI/LLM Concepts: Refresh your knowledge on basic AI/ML concepts, LLM capabilities, prompt engineering, and how these technologies are applied in user-facing applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft interviews are known for their rigor. Candidates should be prepared for a comprehensive evaluation of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural alignment. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates impact and process contributions is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Front-End Frameworks: ReactJS (highly preferred), potentially others like Angular or Vue.js.
• Languages: JavaScript (TypeScript highly preferred), Python, C#, C++, C.
• Markup/Styling: HTML5, CSS3, potentially SASS/LESS.
• Version Control: Git (essential).
• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Azure DevOps, GitHub.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Telemetry/Analytics Platforms: Tools for tracking user behavior, performance metrics, and application health (specific tools may vary, but understanding principles is key).
• CI/CD Tools: Azure Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Jenkins.
• Testing Frameworks: Jest, Mocha, Chai (for unit testing); Playwright, Selenium (for E2E automation).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how front-end applications integrate with back-end services and potentially data platforms is important.
• Cloud Platforms: Azure (Microsoft's native cloud platform), understanding its services for hosting, APIs, and potentially AI/ML.
• API Development: Experience with RESTful APIs, GraphQL.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in ReactJS and TypeScript is a significant advantage. Familiarity with the broader Microsoft ecosystem, including Azure and Azure DevOps, is highly beneficial. The emphasis on CI/CD and E2E automation indicates a mature development process focused on quality and efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and continuously seeking self-improvement. This is a core Microsoft value.
• Customer Focus & Impact: Dedication to empowering learners and educators, ensuring that technology directly contributes to positive educational outcomes.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility: A commitment to designing and building products that are usable and beneficial for everyone, regardless of background or ability.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing diverse perspectives and working together effectively across disciplines to achieve shared goals.
• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding ethical standards and taking ownership of one's work and its impact.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data and insights to guide development, measure success, and iterate on solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with applied scientists, product managers, designers, and other engineers to bring complex AI-powered features to life.
• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and sharing of ideas to foster innovation.
• Iterative Development: Working in agile sprints, with regular feedback loops and continuous refinement of features based on testing and user input.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share best practices, learnings, and technical expertise through code reviews, internal presentations, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at Microsoft, particularly within mission-driven areas like Education, is generally focused on impact, innovation, and continuous improvement. Candidates who demonstrate a collaborative spirit and a passion for the company's mission will likely thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Integrating Cutting-Edge AI: Working with rapidly evolving AI technologies (LLMs) requires continuous learning and adaptability to integrate them effectively and responsibly into user-facing products.
• Scalability and Performance: Ensuring that AI-enhanced features perform reliably and efficiently for millions of global users across diverse devices and network conditions.
• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Delivering new, intelligent features while maintaining the stability, accessibility, and security of established M365 platforms.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Maintaining a seamless and consistent user experience across web, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms.
• Ethical AI Considerations: Navigating the complexities of AI, including bias, fairness, and privacy, to ensure responsible development and deployment in an educational context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & ML Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in AI model integration, prompt engineering, and adaptive learning systems through internal training, workshops, and projects.
• Advanced Web Development: Staying at the forefront of modern front-end technologies, performance optimization, and cross-platform development techniques.
• Cloud Computing: Gaining deeper experience with Azure services relevant to scalable application development and AI deployment.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership skills by mentoring junior engineers, contributing to technical strategy, and potentially leading feature teams.
• Industry Exposure: Access to Microsoft's extensive network, internal conferences, and potential to attend external tech events and training programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, education, and large-scale software development. The challenges presented are significant but come with substantial growth potential for engineers eager to tackle complex problems in a high-impact domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you integrated AI or ML into a project. What was the goal, your role, the challenges, and the outcome?"
  • Preparation: Prepare a detailed case study focusing on your contribution, the specific AI/ML technology used, how you handled data, integration complexities, and quantifiable results.
• "How would you design a feature to personalize learning experiences for students based on their performance? What data would you use, and what are the potential pitfalls?"
  • Preparation: Think about adaptive learning principles, data privacy, user profiling, and the technical architecture required. Discuss potential biases and how to mitigate them.
• "Describe a complex UI challenge you faced and how you solved it. How did you ensure accessibility and inclusivity in your solution?"
  • Preparation: Focus on a specific UI problem, detailing your design process, the technologies used (e.g., ReactJS, CSS), and how you tested for accessibility and inclusivity.
• "Walk me through your experience with CI/CD and automated testing. How have you used these to improve code quality and deployment efficiency?"
  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific tools (e.g., Azure Pipelines, Playwright, Jest) and how your contributions led to tangible improvements in the development process.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why Microsoft? Why the Education team?"
  • Preparation: Research Microsoft's mission, its commitment to education, and the impact of M365/Copilot+PC. Connect your personal values and career goals to these aspects.
• "How do you approach collaboration with individuals from different disciplines, like applied scientists or product managers?"
  • Preparation: Provide examples of successful cross-functional collaborations, highlighting your communication skills and ability to bridge technical and non-technical discussions.
• "Microsoft values a growth mindset. Can you share an example of a time you learned something new or overcame a significant challenge?"
  • Preparation: Use the STAR method to illustrate a situation where you demonstrated learning, adaptability, and resilience.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structured Walkthrough: Guide interviewers through 2-3 key projects in your portfolio. Start with the business problem or user need, your solution, your specific contributions, the technologies used, and the impact/results.
• Focus on "Why": Explain the reasoning behind your design choices, technical decisions, and process improvements. Articulate the trade-offs you considered.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success and value of your work.
• Highlight AI/LLM Work: If you have relevant AI/LLM projects, dedicate specific time to explaining them, focusing on the technical implementation and user benefits.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific code snippets, architectural decisions, or challenges encountered in your portfolio projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare thoroughly for coding challenges, system design, and behavioral questions. Your portfolio should serve as concrete evidence to support your answers and demonstrate your capabilities, especially regarding AI integration and front-end development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Software Engineer II - UX/UI position:

• Submit your application through the official Microsoft Careers portal via the provided URL.
• Curate your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in front-end development (ReactJS, TypeScript), AI/LLM integration, full-stack contributions, and CI/CD/automation. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio showcases your best work, with clear descriptions, your role, technical details, and quantifiable results. Prioritize projects demonstrating AI integration, UX/UI design, and accessibility.
• Practice Interview Questions: Rehearse answers to common technical, behavioral, and system design questions, using the STAR method for behavioral responses. Practice coding problems and be ready to explain your thought process.
• Research Microsoft and the Team: Understand Microsoft's mission, values, and the specific goals of the Education Engineering team. Demonstrate how your skills and passion align with their objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. While aiming for accuracy, candidates should verify all details, particularly regarding specific responsibilities, required skills, and compensation, directly with the hiring organization during the application and interview process.