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.
Join an elite team of security researchers working to protect people and organizations from sophisticated cyber threats! We’re seeking an experienced security researcher to join our Redmond-based team. You’ll investigate cutting-edge endpoint attacks—including attacks on AI, attacks using AI, attacks on AI using AI and everything in between. Drawing on one of the world’s richest security telemetry datasets, you’ll uncover new attack techniques, develop protections against the next generation of threats, advance our security platform, and share impactful research with the global security community.
Responsibilities
Conduct research that yields new insights, investigate advanced, real-world attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) Develop high-quality protection signals and resilient detection logic across complex attack chains. Design and implement innovative capabilities that autonomously prevent, detect, and disrupt sophisticated threats in near real time. Apply deep security expertise to inform evidence-based research decisions. Analyze real-world attacks and telemetry to continuously improve protection coverage, precision, and resilience.
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications
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.
Offensive security research experience Digital forensics skills Programming skills in C, C++, C# or willingness to learn Industry recognized author of security research papers, blogs, or books Low-level/security knowledge of other operating systems
Security Research IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 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 $133,800 - $219,200 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, plus 2 or more years of related experience; alternatively, equivalent experience.
- Alternatively, a master's degree in a listed or related field plus 1 or more years of related experience.
- Alternatively, a doctorate in a listed or related field.
- Ability to pass Microsoft background and Microsoft Cloud background checks upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
- Offensive security research experience.
- Digital forensics skills.
- Programming skills in C, C++, or C#, or willingness to learn.
- Industry-recognized authorship of security research papers, blogs, or books.
- Low-level or security knowledge of other operating systems.
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.
