Overview

The Devices & Experiences team is seeking a UX Design Lead to help define end-to-end product experiences across the Microsoft ecosystem. This role spans both hardware and software, working across the Surface portfolio, Windows experiences, and future device categories.

The UX Design Lead will focus on shaping clear, intuitive, and cohesive interactions that connect physical devices and digital experiences into a unified whole. This includes defining system behaviors, interaction patterns, and experience details that help customers understand, trust, and enjoy using our products.

This role partners closely with industrial design, engineering, research, and product management to deliver experiences that scale across multiple devices, platforms, and scenarios.

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:

Interaction & Experience Design:

• Lead the design of intuitive interactions across hardware and software experiences.
• Define system behaviors that improve clarity, responsiveness, and user confidence.
• Translate complex technical capabilities into simple, understandable user experiences.
• Ensure consistency across Surface devices, Windows, and future product categories.

End-to-End Experience Ownership:

• Own significant features, systems, or cross-product experiences.
• Contribute to complete user journeys that span physical devices and digital interfaces.
• Help create cohesive experiences across multiple touchpoints and platforms.

System Thinking & Design Frameworks:

• Develop scalable interaction patterns that work across a broad device ecosystem.
• Contribute to shared design systems, principles, and guidelines.
• Balance usability, craft, and technical feasibility in real product contexts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with industrial design, engineering, research, and product teams.
• Participate in early concept development for future devices and experiences.
• Work with research teams to validate and refine interaction behaviors.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to other designers contributing to shared experiences.

Execution & Delivery:

• Produce high-quality interaction designs, prototypes, and specifications.
• Drive clarity in ambiguous or early-stage problem spaces.
• Iterate based on user insights, technical constraints, and product goals.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Graphic Design, Product Design, Visual Design, Human Computer Interaction, or related field AND 3+ years experience working in product or service design and/or shipping production codeOR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Graphic Design, Product Design, Visual Design, Human Computer Interaction, or related field AND 4+ years experience working in product or service design and/or shipping production code
• OR equivalent experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing UX for software, hardware, or connected product experiences.
• Strong interaction design skills with a focus on clarity and usability.
• Ability to think in systems and design patterns that scale across multiple products.
• Experience working across cross-disciplinary teams.
• Design & Technical Skills Proficiency with modern UX design and prototyping tools.
• Strong visual and interaction sensibility.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into intuitive user experiences.
• Communication & Leadership Strong presentation and storytelling skills.
• Ability to communicate design decisions clearly to cross-functional partners.
• Comfortable leading initiatives and influencing without direct authority.

Other Requirements:

• Experience designing for operating systems, consumer devices, or AI-driven products.
• Familiarity with accessibility and inclusive design practices.
• Experience contributing to design systems or shared interaction frameworks.
• Background in human-computer interaction, industrial design, or a related field.

#W+DJOBS

UX Engineering 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

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.