Principal Design Manager

If you are a visionary

design leader and practitioner

with deep expertise in search, a sharp design sensibility, and a passion for shaping the future of AI-driven experiences, we want to hear from you.

The Microsoft AI Design & Research team is a creative community of designers and researchers reimagining how people engage with the web. Our work reaches billions, setting new standards for intuitive and intelligent digital interactions.

We are looking for a

Principal Design Manager

to lead and contribute directly to the next evolution of search and AI-powered experiences. This is

both a leadership and hands-on design role

, where you'll shape the vision for AI-driven search while also setting the highest bar for design craft. If you believe search is far from over and have a strong, informed perspective on where it should go next, this is the role for you.

Join us and help redefine how the world searches, discovers, and engages with information.

While our preferred location for this position is Redmond, WA, we are open to candidates based anywhere in the United States.

Responsibilities

What

You’ll

Do:

Shape the Future of Search

– Develop and champion a bold, AI-first vision for search, leading by example through both strategy and hands-on design contributions.

Design, Prototype & Ship

– Push the boundaries of AI-driven search experiences with high-fidelity design work, ensuring solutions balance innovation, usability, and accessibility.

Raise the Bar on Craft & Design Excellence

– Define and enforce a high standard for interaction and visual design, fostering a culture of quality, rigor, and beauty in execution.

Lead & Mentor a High-Performing Team

– Manage, coach, and inspire a team of 8-12 designers and managers, cultivating a player/coach model that values both leadership and design contribution.

Build a Cohesive, Scalable Design System

– Ensure consistency, accessibility, and delight across all search touchpoints by evolving and refining our design language.

Partner with Product & Engineering at Scale

– Work across disciplines to align vision and execution, making design a core driver of product and business strategy.

What

We’re

Looking For:

Deep

expertise

in designing search, information retrieval, or AI-powered consumer experiences

– with a strong vision for the future of search.

A passion for design craft, human-centered experiences, and attention to detail

– you don’t just lead; you design at the highest level.

Proven leadership in managing and growing design teams

– with experience leading both managers and individual contributors.

A track record

of influencing product strategy through design

– backed by insights, data, and compelling storytelling.

Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity

– especially in v1 and experimental projects.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor'sDegree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, Interaction Design, or related field AND 9+ years experience working in product or service design

OR Master's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, Interaction Design, or related field AND 7+ years experience working in product or service design

OR equivalent experience (e.g., demonstrated experience working in product or service design or using design thinking to solve problems)

5+ years people management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, OR equivalent experience using design thinking to solve complex problems.

8+ years of experience in product or service design (6+ with a Master's).

2+ years of people management experience, with a focus on leading both design and strategy.

Strong interaction and visual design skills, with an ability to balance vision with execution.

Excellent communication and storytelling skills – with the ability to energize teams and advocate for your ideas.

Proficiency in Figma and modern design tools.

A portfolio that demonstrates both leadership impact and high-caliber design execution.

Product Design M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $161,600 - $286,200 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 $209,600 - $314,400 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until March 10, 2025.

#Design #MSFTAI #nextplay #designjobs

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .