Security Researcher II and Senior Security Researcher (Multiple Positions)

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

1d • $102,100 - $261,000

About The Position

Microsoft Defender Experts Team is hiring Security Researchers at the II or Senior level for its detection and response team. The team uses knowledge of attacker behavior and Microsoft 365 Defender telemetry to investigate incidents, identify root causes, and create custom alerts that help customers respond to advanced attacks and data breaches. The role focuses on identifying and reporting emerging human-adversary behaviors using Microsoft's security signals, building context-rich alerts, developing tools and automations for threat hunting, and advancing detection of sophisticated attacker tradecraft.

The researcher works with customer security leaders as design partners, collaborates with Microsoft Threat Experts and cross-functional teams, and helps develop and deliver security service offerings. The role also provides technical leadership and contributes to internal and external partnerships that support Defender Experts services.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or a related field and at least 1 year of experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and/or anomaly detection; or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields and at least 2 years of relevant experience; or equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft background and Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this position and will be verified via a valid passport due to citizenship-based legal restrictions.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or a related field; or a master’s degree in one of those fields and at least 3 years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields and at least 4 years of relevant experience; or equivalent experience.
• At least 7 years of experience in a technical role in Security Operations, Threat Intelligence, Cyber Incident Response, or Penetration Testing/Red Team.
• At least 4 years of people or service delivery management experience, or relevant experience demonstrating customer interaction or support delivery.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with senior leaders in customers’ security organizations as design partners on cloud detection and response innovations, and help ensure customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and services.
• Partner with Microsoft Threat Experts to research and analyze threats affecting customers.
• Collaborate with engineering, marketing, and business leaders to innovate and deliver security service offerings globally.
• Investigate security research, attacker activity, and real incidents to develop durable detection solutions and strategies across customer tools.
• Work with internal and external teams to establish partnerships and improve existing ones that mature products supporting Defender Experts services.
• Provide technical leadership and influence the organization.
• Identify and report emerging human-adversary behaviors using Microsoft security signals, develop context-rich alerts, build hunting tools and automations, and advance detection of sophisticated attacker tradecraft.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level