At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex technical programs and co-engineer solutions with strategic customers.
- Company: Join Microsoft’s innovative Industry Solutions Engineering team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible work environment, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Embrace a growth mindset and collaborate with diverse teams to drive innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving business challenges with cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering or technical program management; customer-facing roles preferred.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Industry Solutions Engineering (ISE) team is a global engineering organization that has operated Microsoft’s Forward Deployed Engineering function for over a decade, working directly with customers to co-engineer solutions to their toughest business challenges. We don’t build things and hand them over. We embed with customers, engineer side-by-side, and create real business value together.
We operate in small, multidisciplinary teams, enabling tight feedback loops and rapid iteration. Together, we build AI-powered, cloud-based solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes. Our work is powered by Hypervelocity Engineering (HVE), a methodology of applying AI across the full lifecycle to build and ship secure, production-ready solutions from day one, accelerating time to value without sacrificing quality, control, or trust.
We collaborate with Microsoft product teams, partners, and open-source communities to create reusable, high-impact solution patterns that contribute to the broader Microsoft platform.
We are hiring a Principal Technical Program Manager, that will embed with strategic customers to lead complex technical programs, own the full customer journey from problem definition through delivery, and drive measurable business outcomes. You will operate with high autonomy, using AI-powered engineering workflows daily to accelerate requirements into specs, generate project proposals from customer context, and drive continuous value delivery. You will be part of a team of software engineers, data scientists, technical program managers, and designers who work side-by-side with high-impact customers and their engineers to build innovative solutions.
You will thrive working with a variety of technologies, not just Microsoft technology. You will solve business problems that matter, contribute to open source, and collaborate with Microsoft product teams to bring customer-learned insights back into the platform.
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
- Embed with strategic customers to lead complex technical programs with high autonomy, aligning business needs with engineering solutions across AI, cloud, and data.
- Take ownership of the customer journey end-to-end, from problem definition through co-engineering delivery to measurable business outcomes.
- Apply AI assisted engineering practices as a daily operating mode: use AI tools across the full software development lifecycle to accelerate requirements-to-specs, generate high-quality engineering artifacts from customer context, and drive continuous flow of value from business need to production.
- Operate fluently in engineering tooling (e.g., VS Code, GitHub, AI agents) as primary work surfaces for planning, documentation, and technical program leadership.
- Validate AI-generated outputs with domain expertise to maintain quality at speed.
- Navigate ambiguity in customer environments with self-direction and high ownership.
- Make technical and program decisions with incomplete information, proactively identify opportunities and manage risks, providing data-driven recommendations to stakeholders.
- Champion and cultivate reusable solution patterns, open-source assets, and engineering playbooks that scale impact beyond individual engagements.
- Contribute to the broader engineering community through knowledge sharing and best practices.
- Partner with multi-disciplinary engineering teams (software engineers, data scientists, designers) to evaluate, design, and deliver AI-powered cloud solutions side-by-side with customer engineers.
- Give key stakeholders data-driven recommendations based on identified risks and tradeoffs.
Embodies our culture and values.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications (RQs/MQs)
- Bachelor’s Degree AND demonstrated years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development Or equivalent experience.
- Years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications (PQs)
- Bachelor’s Degree AND demonstrated years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development Or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
- Experience in customer-facing technical roles (e.g., consulting, solutions engineering, field engineering, or similar).
- Experience with AI/ML technologies, cloud architecture, or data engineering.
- Experience using AI tools and workflows in creating software engineering artifacts.
- Experience partnering directly with customers or internal stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.
- Comfortable with travel up to 25% (role dependent).
Our team prides itself on embracing a growth mindset, inspiring excellence, and encouraging everyone to share their unique viewpoints and be their authentic selves. Join us and help create life-changing innovations that impact billions around the world!
At Microsoft, we are seeking people who have a passion for the positive impact technology can have on communities and for making a difference in the world. Within ISE, you will find a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, personal and cultural experiences which are vital to our success with our customers.
It’s an informal and flexible work environment and you’ll be welcome to work in the way that best enables you to get your job done. We invest in your health, wellness, and financial future by offering a competitive package including a wide range of benefits built around your personal needs and those close to you.
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.
Principal Technical Program Manager - Forward Deployed Engineering in London employer: Microsoft
Microsoft is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering employees to work alongside strategic customers to solve complex challenges. With a strong emphasis on personal growth, flexible work environments, and a comprehensive benefits package, employees are encouraged to thrive both professionally and personally. Join us in creating impactful AI-powered solutions that make a difference globally while being part of a diverse team that values unique perspectives and experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Technical Program Manager - Forward Deployed Engineering in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry, especially those who work at Microsoft or in similar roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the job and even a referral, which can give you a leg up.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company culture and values. Understand how they align with your own experiences and be ready to share examples that showcase your fit. Remember, it’s all about showing how you can contribute to their mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your experience with AI, cloud solutions, and customer engagement. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Technical Program Manager - Forward Deployed Engineering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Technical Program Manager role. Highlight your experience with AI, cloud solutions, and customer-facing roles to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past. We love seeing how you’ve led projects from start to finish and delivered real business outcomes.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through! We value diverse perspectives and want to know what makes you unique. Share your experiences and insights that align with our growth mindset and collaborative culture.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Microsoft
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in AI, cloud technologies, and data engineering. Brush up on the tools mentioned in the job description, like VS Code and GitHub, as they’ll likely come up during your interview. Being able to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects will show your hands-on experience.
✨Understand the Customer Journey
Since this role involves leading complex technical programs with customers, be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed customer relationships in the past. Think of specific examples where you’ve taken ownership from problem definition to delivery, and how you’ve driven measurable outcomes.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
The job requires navigating ambiguity and making decisions with incomplete information. Prepare to share experiences where you’ve successfully tackled uncertainty in projects. Highlight your self-direction and how you proactively identified opportunities or managed risks.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role is all about working with multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to talk about how you’ve collaborated with software engineers, data scientists, and designers in the past. Share examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and drive projects forward in a team setting.
