New

Principal UX Research Manager

Microsoft
$139,900.00 - $274,800.00 / yr
United States, Washington, Redmond
Jan 22, 2026
Overview The Windows + Devices, Design + Research team is hiring a Principal UX Research Managerto shape the future directionofWindowsintheCloudand Windows Commercialexperiences.In this role, you will lead a dynamic team of researchers spanning IT Admin and enduser touchpoints, collaborating across disciplines and throughout Microsoft. Your team's deepexpertisein commercial customers will directly influence WCX Windows investments and opportunities. Your insights will inform product strategy, value propositions, and feature direction across WCX and Windows growth initiatives. You'lllead a dynamic team of researchersandcollaborate across disciplines and throughout Microsoft. Fromdefining macro-level strategytorefining implementation details,guiding W365 and Windows evolution. We'relooking for someone whothrives in ambiguityandleads with clarity, whoconnects dots across domainsandbuilds understanding out of complexity.You uncover unspoken questions and assumptions and answer them with precision, depth, and durability. You put people first,centeringthe needs, problems, goals, and aspirations of both customers and your team, ideally with a strong passion for commercial users. This leader willcultivate a culture of trust, inclusion, and excellence, empowering their team tonavigate ambiguity with confidence,adapt quickly to shifting priorities, anddeliver insights that are bothtimelyand durable. They will becommitted to helping their team flourish-investing in their growth,championing their aspirations, andcreating a culture where everyone can do their best work. If you are energized by how technology can improve the lives of one billion customers, inspired by the challenge of shaping the future of commercial computing, and passionate about leading with a growth mindset and turning abstract ideas into reality, we would love to hear from you. 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. Responsibilities Invest in peopleby modeling, coaching, and caringforyour team, the studio, and the company. Champion deep understanding of customer behaviors, motivations, needs, and aspirationsto shape experiences that deliver differentiated value and lasting impact. Drive product strategy through multi-stage research programs, balancing rigor with scrappiness to support confident decision-making in fast-moving environments. Foster cross-functional collaboration, guiding teams towardneedle-movingcreative directions, setting clear goals, and improving products, processes, and culture. Leverage research to influenceproductsinitiatives, navigating complexity and risk to deliver insights that influence decisions at the highest levels. Elevate the craft of research, mentoring others, evolving methodologies including AI, andadvocating forresearch excellence across the organization. Embodyourcultureandvaluesbybringing a growth mindset to your own development and showing up with inclusion, curiosity, and energy every day. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ years user experience research experience and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years user experience research experience and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years user experience research and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR equivalent experience. 3+ years people management experience. 3+ yearsofexperienceleading a team through ambiguity and coaching to grow careers. Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills, with the ability to energize and activate teams. High level research skills across methods, qualitative and quantitative (i.e.a Mixed Methods researcher). Demonstrated championing of fundamentals of user experience, including accessibility and inclusive design. Experience with commonly used research tools. Preferred Qualifications: 8+years experiencein applied user experience research, design research, productresearchor the equivalent product research in industry. 5+ yearsofexperienceleading a team through ambiguity and coaching to grow careers. Experience supporting the development of AI features. Experience applying AI within workflow. Experience researching and building Trust, Privacy and Security into product. #W+DJOBS #D+R #W+D UX Research M5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.