Senior Software Engineering Manager

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Microsoft Search and M365 Copilot are redefining how people find information, reason, and get work done using AI. We are looking for a Senior Software Engineering Manager to lead a team and set technical direction as we build and evolve AI-powered Search and Copilot experiences used by millions of customers every day across Windows and Microsoft 365. Depending on experience and interests, this role may be scoped primarily as a people manager, a senior technical lead, or a hybrid of both. In this role, you will operate at the intersection of large-scale distributed systems, AI-assisted experiences, and end-to-end product engineering, partnering closely with engineering, product management, and design to deliver reliable, high-performance capabilities across multiple surfaces. This role is ideal for leaders who see AI as a force multiplier in day-to-day development and who enjoy solving evolving problems at the intersection of user experience quality and data-driven iteration. 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. Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
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 Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR Bachelor's 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.
1+ years of people management experience OR demonstrated technical leadership.
Experience improving engineering systems or workflows (tooling, testing, release processes, operational readiness) and driving durable improvements in performance/quality/velocity.
Experience designing, developing, and maintaining highly scalable web services.
Solid understanding of system design, data structures, algorithms, and performance trade-offs.
Experience running A/B experiments and using results to drive product and engineering decisions.
Experience or strong interest in AI-assisted development workflows (using AI tools to prototype, reason about code, generate tests, or accelerate iteration), with a disciplined approach to review and validation.
Passion for continuous learning and applying that learning to drive business improvements.

Responsibilities

Drive user acquisition and engagement outcomes for Microsoft Search and M365 Copilot experiences by identifying opportunities, forming hypotheses, and iterating quickly based on usage signals and customer feedback.
Partner with stakeholders to help define success metrics and evaluate impact on engagement, retention, and experience quality, translating insights into roadmap and execution priorities.
Lead a culture of experimentation: sponsor A/B tests, ensure high-quality measurement, and drive decisions grounded in results and learning.
Hire, coach, and develop engineers; create an inclusive, high-performing team environment with clear expectations, growth plans, and regular feedback.
Mentor engineers and raise the bar through technical guidance, pairing, and structured reviews.
Set team direction and execution plans; remove blockers, manage tradeoffs, and ensure predictable delivery.
Lead end‑to‑end projects, from architecture and implementation through rollout, experimentation, and iteration.
Proactively seek and apply new AI trends and AI‑assisted software development practices across design, implementation, testing, and operations to improve availability, reliability, efficiency, observability, and performance, while maintaining high standards for correctness and code quality.
Collaborate across functions (PM, Design, Privacy/Legal as needed) and across teams to evolve shared patterns and platforms that enable consistent, high-quality experiences.
You won’t be expected to be an expert in every area on day one, but you should be comfortable learning and leading across the stack.