About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is for a Senior Applied AI Engineer focused on developing and improving AI assistant features using large language models (LLMs). You'll be involved in everything from prototyping new features to building internal tools and frameworks for evaluation and performance improvement. It's a hands-on, individual contributor position that requires a mix of engineering and product integration skills.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have a strong background in computer science or a related field, with experience in AI and machine learning. You should thrive in fast-paced, startup-like environments and be comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

Worth noting

The role emphasizes a high-ownership, collaborative culture and requires a bias for action, which may not suit everyone. The pay rate is on the lower end for senior roles in tech, which could be a consideration.

Overview

We’re hiring a Senior Applied AI Engineer to join a fast‑moving, high‑ownership team building next‑generation AI assistant and productivity capabilities. This role blends LLM product engineering, evaluation science, hillclimbing, and internal tool building with the pace and creativity of a startup.

You’ll work across the entire lifecycle of features from early prototypes to production‑grade systems and help define how millions of users interact with AI.

Responsibilities

LLM Feature & Agent Development

Design and ship LLM‑powered assistant features, including conversational flows, agentic behaviors, retrieval pipelines, and multimodal interactions.

Build prompt architectures, system instructions, and orchestration logic that ensure reliability, grounding, and personality consistency.
Prototype new capabilities rapidly and iterate based on user signals and evaluation data.

Evaluation, Hillclimbing & Quality Systems

Build and maintain evaluation frameworks for correctness, safety, grounding, and UX quality.

Run hillclimbing loops across prompts, models, and tool‑use strategies to continuously improve assistant performance.
Analyze failure modes, design mitigations, and drive systematic improvements across the stack.

LLM Tooling & Internal Infrastructure

Develop internal tools for prompt experimentation, model comparison telemetry and debugging automated eval pipelines
Create reusable frameworks that accelerate the entire AI org’s ability to ship high‑quality assistant features.

Applied ML & Product Integration

Integrate LLMs with product surfaces, APIs, and backend systems.
Build lightweight ML components (ranking, classification, summarization, personalization) that enhance assistant intelligence.
Collaborate with PM, design, and research to turn ambiguous ideas into polished user experiences.

High‑Velocity Teamwork

Operate with startup‑founder energy: bias for action, rapid iteration, and comfort with ambiguity.

Work closely with researchers, engineers, and product leaders in a fast‑moving AI team where ideas ship quickly and impact is immediate.
Contribute to a culture of experimentation, clarity, and high‑quality execution.
Build prompt architectures, system instructions, and orchestration logic that ensure reliability, grounding, and personality consistency.
Prototype new capabilities rapidly and iterate based on user signals and evaluation data.

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s Degree AND 3+ years of experience in engineering, problem solving, model building, evaluation, data analysis OR equivalent experience.
2+ years shipping production-level code, models, or data analysis.
1+ years using AI-assisted coding and analysis techniques.
Experience working on small teams and mid-stage startup environments.
Experience working on AI products.
PhD in engineering, applied math, statistics, or related analytical field.
4+ years shipping production-level code, models, or data analysis.
Deep experience building from zero-to-one.
Hands on work hillclimbing AI evaluations.

Data Science 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 $158,400 - $258,000 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

Data Science IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $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 & Tags

Aplyr's read

Microsoft is a technology giant shaping global computing, attracting talent interested in innovation and impact across software, cloud, and AI sectors.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Strong commitment to innovation in AI and cloud computing.
•Diverse range of roles from technical to managerial, offering career growth.
•Financially stable with a robust global presence and market influence.

What to watch

•Complex organizational structure can slow decision-making processes.
•High competition for roles may limit entry-level opportunities.
•Potential for work-life balance challenges in high-demand positions.

Why Microsoft

•Pioneer in personal and business computing with a legacy of innovation.
•Extensive global reach with a diverse workforce and inclusive culture.
•Leader in integrating AI into mainstream software and cloud services.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Microsoft

Microsoft

microsoft.com

View company

MSFT$399.76+2.31%

Microsoft is a global technology company that develops, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products, services, and devices. Known for its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite, Microsoft has a significant impact on personal and business computing worldwide.