The Microsoft Superintelligence team is building Humanist Superintelligence - advanced AI designed to remain controllable, aligned, and firmly in service to humanity. As a lean, fast-moving research lab within Microsoft AI, we are focused on creating the safest, most capable AI systems that amplify human potential and deliver tangible impact to billions of users worldwide.
We're looking for a Technical Advisor to join Microsoft Superintelligence in the Office of the CEO of Microsoft AI. The right candidate combines deep technical expertise in machine learning and software engineering with the ability to provide strategic counsel on high-stakes decisions. This role requires someone who can dive deep into research problems—evaluating models, prototyping solutions, and analyzing technical tradeoffs—while also synthesizing insights for executive decision-making. You'll work across the full spectrum of our research efforts, from model development and infrastructure to safety and alignment.
The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, takes initiative, and can context-switch fluidly between hands-on technical work and strategic advisory. You should be comfortable working across a variety of projects as they surface ad-hoc and able to clearly communicate findings in exec-level written documents.
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.
This role is based in Mountain View, CA or Redmond, WA. You are required to be local to one of these locations and in office 3 days a week.
Responsibilities
Provide direct technical and strategic support to the CEO of Microsoft AI—identifying opportunities and risks across our research portfolio
Engage deeply with research teams on pre-training, post-training, multimodal systems, infrastructure, and safety/alignment work
Prototype and evaluate models, techniques, and infrastructure to develop insights and inform strategic decisions
Analyze technical tradeoffs and synthesize findings into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership
Stay at the forefront of AI research, tracking emerging techniques and evaluating their applicability to our work
Drive critical technical initiatives from conception through execution, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
Serve as a bridge between the CEO and research teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment on priorities
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in computer science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
8+ years of experience in software engineering, machine learning, or AI research.
Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field.
Software engineering skills with the ability to rapidly prototype and evaluate technical solutions.
Understanding modern ML techniques, including large language models, multimodal systems, agents, or related areas.
Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical concepts for executive audiences.
Track record of operating effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
Ability to context-switch across diverse technical domains.
Published research at top ML/AI venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, etc.)
Experience at a leading AI research lab or startup.
Experience with model training, infrastructure, or AI safety research.
Software Engineering 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
Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related technical field and 4+ years of technical engineering experience with coding, or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of experience in software engineering, machine learning, or AI research
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field
- Software engineering skills enabling rapid prototyping and evaluation of technical solutions
- Understanding of modern machine learning techniques, including large language models, multimodal systems, or agents
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for explaining complex technical concepts to executive audiences
- Experience operating effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
- Ability to context-switch across diverse technical domains
- Published research at top ML or AI venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, or ACL
- Experience at a leading AI research lab or startup
- Experience with model training, infrastructure, or AI safety research
- Local to Mountain View, California or Redmond, Washington, with in-office work three days per week
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.
