Software Development Engineer (contract)

Overview

Software Development Engineer (Contract)

Please note that this is a contract role providing services to Microsoft through external staffing partners of Allegis Global Solutions. If you are selected for this role, you will be employed by AGS and will not be an employee of Microsoft.

Summary

This is a high-impact opportunity to transform how developers interact with media and codec systems by building preventative diagnostics and validation tooling that stops bugs before they happen. Working at the intersection of media pipelines, graphics systems, and developer experience, you will design and implement runtime validation layers and diagnostic tools that make complex failures obvious and actionable. Rather than spending time triaging avoidable issues, you will create the infrastructure that empowers developers to self-diagnose problems, dramatically reducing support burden while improving ecosystem health.

This role offers the chance to build tooling with leverage similar to industry-leading debug layers, where small improvements prevent hundreds of future issues and elevate developer trust across an entire platform.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and implement media-specific validation layers, runtime checks, and diagnostics that surface common misuse patterns and failure modes with clear, actionable guidance
• Analyze recurring bug reports to identify patterns and categories of issues that could be prevented through better diagnostics and validation
• Improve diagnostic logging, traceability, and error messaging for media pipelines to help developers quickly identify root causes
• Collaborate with Media, Graphics, and developer support teams to understand top pain points and validate that new tooling addresses real-world scenarios
• Create developer-facing debugging guidance, examples, and recommended workflows that reduce low-quality bug submissions
• Validate diagnostic tooling against production media applications, drivers, and reproduction scenarios to ensure practical usefulness
• Translate low-level system failures into understandable feedback that enables developers to fix problems independently
• Measure and report on success metrics including reduced bug volume, faster resolution times, and improved quality of incoming issues

Qualifications

• Four to six years of hands-on experience debugging low-level, performance-sensitive software such as media pipelines, graphics systems, runtimes, or operating system components
• Three to five years of experience designing or enhancing debug layers, validation logic, error messaging, logging, or tracing tools that help application developers identify incorrect API usage or configuration issues
• Three or more years demonstrating capability in translating recurring bug patterns into structured diagnostics, validation rules, and developer guidance
• Strong understanding of media pipelines, graphics APIs, or runtime validation concepts in complex systems
• Proven experience building developer diagnostics, validation layers, runtime checks, logging, or trace tooling
• Ability to translate low-level failures into actionable, understandable feedback for developers
• Experience working close to operating systems, drivers, runtimes, or performance-sensitive components
• Excellent analytical skills for identifying patterns in bug reports and converting learnings into preventative tooling
• Strong written communication skills for producing clear technical documentation and developer guidance
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work effectively across platform teams
• Familiarity with graphics or media APIs, debug layers, or validation tooling such as Direct3D, Vulkan, or multimedia frameworks
• Understanding of ecosystem health principles and high-leverage tooling design

Additional Details

• Location: Remote
• Duration: 5 months
• Pay Range*: $59.50 - $67.50 per hour
• Weekly Schedule: 40 hours
• Job Status: Non-Exempt
• Application Deadline: Apply within 72 hours of the posting date to ensure consideration.

This Role Is Eligible For The Following Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Hospital plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Company paid Basic Life and AD&D as well as voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Company paid short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Allegis Group Paid Family Leave, Parental Leave)

Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

AGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment is contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States. All persons hired will be required to complete Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation as required by law.

Please note that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. These tools may analyze application materials and assist our team in identifying candidates whose qualifications best match the requirements of the role. If you have questions about our use of AI in the hiring process, or would like more information, please contact us.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to protected classifications.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.