Microsoft Corporation is actively seeking an exceptional professional to join our organization as a Principal Applied Science Manager – Foundation Models, Agents & Trust Systems within the Applied Sciences division. Positioned at the core of Microsoft’s technological innovation, this role offers direct involvement in mission-critical engineering initiatives, planetary-scale cloud services, and next-generation product architectures.

Role Overview & Strategic Impact

As a Principal Applied Science Manager – Foundation Models, Agents & Trust Systems based in Bangalore, India, you will play an integral role in architecting, engineering, and delivering transformative technology solutions. Operating within Microsoft’s Applied Sciences practice, your efforts will directly shape the scalability, performance, and security of software systems and platforms trusted by billions of users worldwide.

Microsoft’s enduring mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Team members thrive within an inclusive culture grounded in a growth mindset, cross-team empathy, and uncompromising customer focus. In this position, you will collaborate with industry-leading engineers, researchers, and product leaders to solve complex technical problems at unprecedented scale.

Technical Domain: Hyperscale Cloud Architecture & Frontier AI Integration

Operating at the nexus of planetary-scale cloud infrastructure, Microsoft Azure powers the foundation for enterprise digital transformation and generative AI breakthroughs. Engineers and architects in this domain design, deploy, and optimize highly resilient, multi-region cloud services, intelligent API pipelines, and secure data topologies. Leveraging deep integrations with Azure OpenAI, foundational LLMs, and distributed microservices, team members accelerate production-grade intelligence while upholding strict standards for reliability, zero-trust security, and operational latency.

Professionals in this specialization combine strong computer science fundamentals with practical, real-world systems engineering. Whether delivering distributed microservices, designing custom silicon interconnects, managing physical datacenter infrastructure, or scaling AI-powered customer workflows, you will operate within a mature engineering ecosystem supported by Microsoft’s global technical community.

Key Responsibilities & Scope of Work

In this capacity, your daily priorities and core technical contributions will center on the following key operational deliverables:

• Foundation models for advertiser behavior and risk.
• Foundation moderation models spanning text, image, video and multimodal experiences.
• Deep-research agents that investigate complex cases, gather evidence, reason across signals, and assist automated and human decision-making.
• Tiered enforcement systems that select the right model, workflow, and level of review based on risk, severity, confidence, latency, and cost.
• Human-in-the-loop that combine advanced AI capabilities with expert judgment and accountability.
• Continuous evaluation and audit systems that measure quality, fairness, safety, robustness, and business impact.
• Define and drive the multi-year science strategy for risk, editorial quality, moderation, policy enforcement, and Responsible AI across Microsoft Advertising.
• Maintain rigorous code quality, comprehensive automated test coverage, and security compliance throughout all phases of software delivery.
• Participate actively in technical design reviews, operational post-mortems, and architectural discussions across global engineering cohorts.

Candidate Profile & Experience Requirements

Candidates for the Principal Applied Science Manager – Foundation Models, Agents & Trust Systems position are evaluated based on their practical experience, technical depth, and demonstrated track record of problem-solving:

• Professional Background: Minimum of 15 years (180 months) of verified experience directly relevant to applied sciences or related technical specializations.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or equivalent practical industry experience.
• Minimum of 15 years of verified professional experience in software engineering, technical architecture, or enterprise technology operations.
• Proven technical problem-solving capabilities, cross-team collaboration skills, and expertise with modern distributed systems or enterprise frameworks.
• Technical Competence: Demonstrated mastery of programming environments, distributed systems, modern cloud infrastructure, or specialized analytical methodologies relevant to the domain.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an established ability to articulate complex technical architectures clearly to engineering peers and executive stakeholders.
• Culture & Values: Demonstrated alignment with Microsoft’s core values of respect, integrity, and accountability, alongside a proactive dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Work Environment, Workplace Schedule & Location Structure

This position is designated with an official location in Bangalore, India. Work arrangements for this role are structured as Onsite Model (Bangalore, India). Microsoft provides modern, accessible work environments equipped with state-of-the-art developer tooling, ergonomic facilities, and collaborative hybrid infrastructure.

Professional Growth, Technical Community & Continuous Learning

At Microsoft, career progression is treated as an ongoing, deliberate journey supported by structured enterprise resources. Team members within the Applied Sciences organization are empowered to continuously expand their technical capabilities, explore emerging engineering paradigms, and pursue recognized professional credentials. Global technical communities and internal symposiums allow engineers to exchange architectural insights and collaborate across diverse product portfolios.

Whether advancing along specialized individual contributor tracks toward principal architecture or transitioning into technical leadership and people management, employees benefit from transparent career milestones, executive sponsorship, and comprehensive mentoring networks designed to nurture sustainable professional excellence.

Compensation, Total Rewards & Comprehensive Benefits

Microsoft offers a comprehensive, highly competitive total rewards framework designed to support employees’ personal, professional, and financial well-being:

• Estimated Annual Base Salary: INR 3,200,000 – INR 7,000,000 per annum (exact compensation determined based on verified qualifications, technical evaluation, specialized experience, and local market benchmarks).
• Incentive & Equity Rewards: Eligibility for annual performance-based cash bonuses and Microsoft restricted stock units (RSUs).
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage, including mental health support programs and wellness reimbursements.
• Retirement & Financial Security: Robust 401(k) / national retirement savings plans with generous company matching contributions, alongside financial planning resources.
• Time Off & Work-Life Harmony: Generous paid time off, comprehensive parental leave programs, public holiday allowances, and caregiver leave support.
• Growth & Learning: Unlimited access to Microsoft Learn, internal technical conferences, tuition assistance, and structured career mobility pathways across worldwide business units.

Application Process & Requisition Reference

This position is actively open and monitored by Microsoft Talent Acquisition. In alignment with corporate hiring policies, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis with no rigid pre-determined closing deadline until a qualified candidate is formally selected (Open Until Filled).

To submit your application, select the Apply Now button on this listing to navigate directly to the official Microsoft Careers requisition portal. When submitting your candidacy, reference Requisition ID 200044909. Ensure your resume and supporting documentation highlight your relevant technical deliverables, system achievements, and professional qualifications.