Principal Research Manager

Microsoft's Commercial Engineering & AI team is at the forefront of reinventing the enterprise landscape using AI. The company is committed to scaling impact and defining the next era of professional work through speed, experimentation, and AI-assisted productivity.

Introduction

Microsoft’s Commercial Engineering & AI team is seeking a visionary research leader to reinvent the enterprise landscape. As a Principal Research Manager, you will direct the research strategy for AI-driven systems that support global businesses. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will build and mentor a team of researchers focused on creating intuitive, intelligent user experiences.

What sets this role apart is the focus on "AI-native" engineering. You’ll be expected to move past traditional research methods by incorporating vibe coding tools and generative AI into your workflow.

Responsibilities

• Direct the research strategy for AI-driven systems that support global businesses.
• Build and mentor a team of researchers focused on creating intuitive, intelligent user experiences.
• Drive data-informed decisions using Python, R, and SQL.
• Evaluate model performance and UX through the lens of prompt-driven development.
• Replace legacy research silos with rapid, AI-assisted iteration cycles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure AI innovations are grounded in human-centric research.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Postgraduate degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and SQL for advanced analytics.
• Experience with generative AI leadership, including evaluating model performance and UX.
• Strong understanding of process innovation, specifically replacing traditional research methods with AI-assisted iteration cycles.
• Expertise in User Experience Research, People Management, AI UX Innovation, Research Strategy, Product Development, Statistical Analysis, Cross-disciplinary Collaboration, Generative AI, Model Evaluation, Foundational Research, Evaluative Research, and Usability Testing.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with "vibe coding" tools and methodologies.

Benefits

Not explicitly listed in the provided job description, beyond being part of a leading tech company.

About Company

Microsoft's Commercial Engineering & AI team is at the forefront of reinventing the enterprise landscape using AI. The company is committed to scaling impact and defining the next era of professional work through speed, experimentation, and AI-assisted productivity.

How to Apply

Apply directly through the Microsoft careers portal by clicking the "Apply Now" button.