New 
Principal Design Manager
 Microsoft | |
 United States, Washington, Redmond | |
 Feb 25, 2025 | |
|
OverviewIf 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.
ResponsibilitiesWhat 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. | |