Job description

Security represents the most critical priorities for our customers in a world awash in digital threats, regulatory scrutiny, and estate complexity. Microsoft Security aspires to make the world a safer place for all. We want to reshape security and empower every user, customer, and developer with a security cloud that protects them with end to end, simplified solutions. The Microsoft Security organization accelerates Microsoft’s mission and bold ambitions to ensure that our company and industry is securing digital technology platforms, devices, and clouds in our customers’ heterogeneous environments, as well as ensuring the security of our own internal estate. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. NEXT is the incubation and research arm of Microsoft Security AI (MSECAI), building the next generation of AI-native security products. In just 18 months, we’ve driven the science behind Microsoft Security Copilot and delivered foundational and specialized models. We take ideas from zero-to-one (0→1) prototypes to Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and then scale them one-to-many (1→N) across Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, Entra, Intune, and Purview. We are seeking a Principal AI Engineering Manager to lead and grow a high-impact team focused on building AI-first security experiences and platform capabilities. You will define the multi-year strategy, guide technical execution, and foster a culture of innovation, velocity, and quality. You will orchestrate cross-discipline, cross-organization teams to deliver responsible, high-quality AI features and initiatives end to end, while engaging engage directly with customers and stakeholders to drive adoption and impact. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. Qualifications Required/minimum qualifications: • Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python • OR equivalent experience. • 6+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and managing engineering teams. • 3+ years working with Machine Learning (ML)/Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems (e.g., Large Language Models (LLMs)/Generative AI (GenAI), retrieval/Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), model serving, experimentation platforms, data pipelines) including establishing evaluation metrics and improving model quality. • 6+ years people management experience Other Requirements Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: - This position will be required to pass the Microsoft background and Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Preferred Qualifications: • Masters Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience. • Proven track record of shipping cloud services or platforms at scale with measurable customer and business impact. • Security domain expertise (e.g., threat detection/response, SIEM/SOAR, identity, endpoint, cloud security). • Experience with GenAI/LLM techniques and tooling (prompt engineering, retrieval/vector stores, agents/tool use, content safety/guardrails, eval frameworks). Hands-on coding ability in one or more languages (e.g., Python, C#, C++, Rust, JavaScript/TypeScript). • Ability to influence leaders and make data-informed decisions. • Demonstrated success driving 0→1 initiatives from ambiguity to MVP to GA and scaling across multiple product teams. What makes a great Principal AI Engineering Manager here • Knowledige of when to use LLMs vs classical ML and how to hybridize them with retrieval, caching, routing, and fallbacks. • Define the right metrics and datasets, builds eval harnesses, and insists on measurable improvements. • Turns ambiguous ideas into MVPs, then leads GA platformization and integration across Microsoft Security products. • Translate defender workflows into crisp specs and iterates quickly based on feedback. • Ability to creates clarity in ambiguity, aligns diverse stakeholders, and mentors others to raise the bar. Software Engineering M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $163,000 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $220,800 - $331,200 per year. Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 28, 2025. Responsibilities • Strategic Leadership: Define and drive the technical vision, strategy, and roadmap for AI-native security incubation initiatives. Align stakeholders across Security Copilot, Defender, Sentinel, Entra, Purview, Azure AI Foundry, and Microsoft AI to deliver cohesive customer value. • Team Building & Management: Build and lead a high-performing engineering team. Mentor and grow talent, foster a builder culture, and create an inclusive environment that encourages innovation and excellence. • End-to-End Execution: Lead zero-to-one (0→1) incubation through MVP and private preview, then drive one-to-many (1→N) platformization and scale to GA. Make principled tradeoffs across quality, latency, reliability, cost, and safety. • Technical Oversight: Provide hands-on technical guidance, review designs, code implementation and PRs, define APIs/data contracts, architect scalable systems, and establish evaluation frameworks to de-risk complex systems. • AI Strategy & Architecture: Set direction for AI-native security experiences and platform components, LLMs vs classical ML, RAG design, grounding, model routing/fallbacks, and safety guardrails to meet customer outcomes and SLOs. • Responsible AI & Compliance: Ensure privacy, security, and Responsible AI guardrails are designed in from day one. Coordinate safety reviews, abuse prevention, compliance, and incident readiness. • Partner and Customer Engagement: Engage directly with technical product partners and their customers to co-design solutions, land adoption, and iterate based on feedback and telemetry. Communicate program status and strategy to executives with hands-on demos. Skills: Application Programming Interface (API), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Background Investigation, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, Caching, Cloud Computing, Code Reviews, Computer Science, Computer Security, Cross-Functional, Data Management, Data Sets, Endpoint Security, Engineering, Engineering Management, Improvement Metrics, Java, JavaScript, Leadership, Machine Learning, Machine Tool, Mentoring, Metrics, Microsoft C# (C Sharp), Microsoft Product Family, Microsoft Windows Azure, Modeling Languages, People Management, Privacy Controls, Product Demonstration, Prototyping, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Quality Management, Regulations, Risk, Rust Programming Language, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Security Infrastructure, Software Engineering, System Architecture, Systems Analysis, Systems Scalability, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Leadership, Technical Strategy, Telemetry About the Company: Microsoft DO WHAT YOU LOVE Make your mark on the world’s most used technologies. Develop the next hit mobile application. Pioneer a startup that could be the next big thing. At Microsoft, you choose your path. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft is a top innovator in both the consumer and enterprise technology industry. Just a few of the many things our products do are unleash creativity, connect businesses, and make learning more fun. But our continued success is based on one thing: our employees. We hire amazing, talented people and give them the opportunities—and the tools—to succeed. WHY MICROSOFT? As a Microsoft employee, you’re surrounded by a diverse group of the smartest people in your field. This fosters new ideas, better business results, and creates a dynamic work environment. In the office, you’re constantly challenged and supported by your colleagues. Every day holds something new and exciting. We also offer unparalleled depth and breadth of career opportunities. As an industry leader in multiple fields, working for Microsoft means being able to do whatever you feel passionate about—and being able to make an impact in that field. From day one, we give our employees significant responsibility. This means that you’ll know that you directly contributed to something that has a positive impact on people worldwide. Whether you choose to work in management, dive deep into the newest technology, or explore multiple professions, you’ll find everything you need at Microsoft to drive your career—and to make a difference. WE GET IT – YOU’RE MORE THAN YOUR JOB Everyone works differently and is motivated by different things. We also understand that there’s more to you than your job. That’s why we offer competitive pay and a wide assortment of benefits-- to help you make the most of life at work and away from it. GET THE BALL ROLLING Company Size: 10,000 employees or more Industry: Computer Software Founded: 1975 Website: http://www.microsoft.com

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