Senior Security Researcher

Reposted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Redmond, WA, USA
In-Office
120K-261K Annually
Senior level
Software • Quantum Computing • Metaverse • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The Role
Design and scale AI-first engineering systems, shared platforms, and secure workflows across Microsoft Security. Modernize tooling, establish reusable standards for build, validation, observability, experimentation, and cost-aware design, and improve engineering productivity and security outcomes. The role requires security research expertise, automation, AI-assisted workflows, telemetry analysis, threat modeling, vulnerability research, and the ability to build scalable capabilities adopted across teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
As AI reshapes how software is built and defended, Microsoft Security is standing up a new Engineering Excellence organization that will define what world-class security engineering looks like in the agentic AI era. Engineering teams that lead in the AI era are organized around outcomes, built on shared platforms any team can draw from, and augmented by agents that are part of the daily workflow. Governance runs at the speed of development. This organization will build that foundation for Microsoft Security, and in doing so, help define what engineering excellence looks like at AI scale.  Our mission, is to build and scale core product-making systems that transform developer and builder productivity and enable AI-assisted workflows across Microsoft Security. 
 
We are looking for a Senior Security Researcher. The ideal candidate brings strong hands-on experience in engineering infrastructure, and developer tool chains, with the ability to integrate AI into real development workflows across coding, testing, deployment, and operations. They should be comfortable improving large codebases and tooling ecosystems, contributing to measurement systems, and building solutions that work within security, compliance, and policy constraints. 
Candidates for this role should hold a high bar for engineering excellence. The right person will not simply implement tools but build durable systems that improve the productivity of many engineers. They should demonstrate strong execution, sound technical judgment, focus on quality and reliability, and the ability to measure impact through improvements in engineering velocity, system health, and adoption of shared platforms.
 
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

In this role, you will drive step-function improvements in developer productivity by designing and scaling AI-first engineering systems, shared platforms, and secure, compliant workflows that are broadly adopted across Microsoft Security. You will modernize fragmented tooling into a cohesive foundation, establish reusable standards for build, validation, observability, experimentation, and cost-aware design, and influence teams across the organization through systems that improve daily engineering practice rather than policy alone.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or related field
    • OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or related field AND 3+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and/or anomaly detection
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or related field AND 4+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and/or anomaly detection
    • OR equivalent experience. 

Other Requirements:

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.
  •  

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or related field AND 3+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and/or anomaly detection
    • OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or related field AND 6+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and/or anomaly detection
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or related field AND 8+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and/or anomaly detection
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • Expertise in building reusable security research capabilities, platforms, or services that improve the consistency, scalability, and effectiveness of security investigations across multiple teams.
  • Experience leveraging automation, AI-assisted workflows, and security telemetry to accelerate threat research, streamline investigations, and enhance security outcomes at scale.
  • Proven track record of identifying security gaps through data analysis and experimentation, and translating findings into solutions that improve security posture, researcher productivity, and operational excellence.
  •  

#MSFTSecurity


Security Research IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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

  • Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Security, or a related field
  • Alternatively, a master's degree in a relevant field plus 3 or more years of experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, or anomaly detection
  • Alternatively, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus 4 or more years of experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis or modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, or anomaly detection
  • Equivalent experience may satisfy the education and experience requirements
  • Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements
  • Microsoft background and Microsoft Cloud background checks upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter
  • Doctorate in a relevant field plus 3 or more years of related experience
  • Master's degree in a relevant field plus 6 or more years of related experience
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus 8 or more years of related experience
  • Expertise building reusable security research capabilities, platforms, or services
  • Experience with automation, AI-assisted workflows, and security telemetry for threat research and investigations
  • Track record identifying security gaps through data analysis and experimentation and translating findings into security improvements

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Redmond, WA
206,870 Employees
Year Founded: 1975

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.

Similar Jobs

Microsoft Logo Microsoft

Senior Security Researcher

Software • Quantum Computing • Metaverse • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
In-Office
Redmond, WA, USA
206870 Employees
120K-261K Annually

Microsoft Logo Microsoft

Senior Security Researcher

Software • Quantum Computing • Metaverse • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
In-Office
Redmond, WA, USA
206870 Employees
120K-304K Annually

Microsoft Logo Microsoft

Senior Security Researcher - CTJ - Secret

Software • Quantum Computing • Metaverse • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
In-Office
2 Locations
206870 Employees
120K-261K Annually

CrowdStrike Logo CrowdStrike

Sr. Security Researcher (Remote).

Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Remote or Hybrid
15 Locations
11000 Employees
85K-120K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Ford Energy Thumbnail
Automotive • Software • Energy • Utilities • Manufacturing • Renewable Energy
US
55 Employees
Revel Thumbnail
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
Marina Del Rey, California
70 Employees
Blee Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Marketing Tech • Software
New York, New York
30 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account