New

Principal UX Research Manager

Microsoft
$163,000.00 - $296,400.00 / yr
United States, California, Mountain View
Feb 18, 2026
Overview Ifyou'repassionate about technology, have a knack for creative ideas, and lead with a growth mindset, we want to hear from you. TheMicrosoft AI Design & Research teamis a creative community of designers and researchers on a mission to create and deliver holistic customer experiences while imagining the future ofweb experiences. BetweenCopilot,Edge, Bing, and apps,we'recreatingend-to-endweb experiences from shopping,to search, toads,news, sports, and gaming.Our diverse team works collaboratively to create products and ideas that empower us to move fast to build seamless and delightful experiences for billions of customers worldwide. Join us! We are seeking a Principal UX Research Manager to help us set the path for our next generation of AI-poweredproducts. We are looking for a "player coach" who will contribute both as an IC and people manager. Someonewho can move themselves and their teambetween exploratory, generative research to rapid evaluations of prototyped ideas.Someone who works across organizational roles to uncover the unspoken questions and beliefs and answers them with precision, detail, and durability. Someone who always puts people first and centers their needs, problems, goals, and aspirations for the team. Someone who is energized by direct, tangible product impact.Someone who leads with humility,byexample, andis always pushing the team further with their full support.If this sounds like you, please apply! Responsibilities Lead a team of UX Researchers creating clarity, generating energy and delivering results Understand the behaviors, motivations, needs, and aspirations of our customers to create a differentiated advantage in our ability to build relevant and impactful experiences for people across the world Drive product strategy through rigorous programs of multi-stage research executed to the highest standards Balance rigor with scrappiness and the ability to push with a fast-moving team Drive cross-team collaborations among all disciplines from early product stages to final implementations Guide teams in creative new directions and help set ambitious goals that stand out from the crowd Identify new opportunities and generate innovative ideas to improve our processes, culture, and influence our approach to research (e.g. mindsets, methodologies) Lead research on highly visible products or set of business initiatives with notable risk and complexity Regularly influence at the highest levels of organizations Elevate the research craft of the team Elevate and accelerate the team's adoption of the thoughtful application of AI to our workflows, including coding by team members Create an environment where people can do their best work and grow Embody our cultureandvalues 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 5+ 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 6+ 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 8+ years user experience research and/or product development experience or related experience in research OR equivalent experience Preferred Qualifications 5+ years people management experience 8+ years experience working in UX research or a related field High level research skills across methods, qualitative and quantitative (i.e. a Mixed Methods researcher) Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills, with the ability to energize and activate teams Demonstrated championing of fundamentals of user experience, including accessibility and inclusive design Experience with commonly used research tools, specifically AI-powered research tools UX Research M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $163,000 - $296,400 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 $220,800 - $331,200 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.