Research Engineer Jobs at Microsoft with Visa Sponsorship
Research Engineer jobs at Microsoft span AI, systems, and applied science teams, with the company maintaining a strong track record of sponsoring international candidates for this function. If you're targeting a research-focused engineering role, Microsoft is one of the most active sponsors in the technology sector.
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Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization working to create scientific knowledge and deliver innovation that leads to positive human impact at scale. To envision and build the future, we work with our scientific, engineering, academic and business partners to use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impact economics, health and society.
The Microsoft Research Americas Engineering team supports several MSR labs (Redmond, New England, New York City, and Montreal) and seeks an innovative and experienced Senior Research Software Engineer on the Agentic Experiences team to drive and contribute to a variety of research projects in various stages of research and productization. You will help deliver quality engineering solutions engaging in AI-native development methods, automation, and agentic workflows to design, build, evaluate, and ship software across Microsoft Research. You will collaborate with other engineers, researchers, and product teams to create innovative vision and drive high quality execution for high-impact and high-scale reach across all of Microsoft’s portfolio, from core models, health, social and economics, coding and development, vision and graphics, systems and networks, and more. You will also be able to contribute to the shape our engineering culture, strategy, and execution, as well as modernize AI engineering practices all in support of accelerating our collective impact across Microsoft Research Americas, Microsoft and beyond.
At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.
Responsibilities
-
Individual Contributor (IC) Development: Independently design and build software using appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) tools, frameworks and practices across the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in a disciplined manner. Apply innovative AI agentic tooling and workflows for efficient code generation, evaluation, debugging, and refinement. Contribute to all layers of code and infrastructure to bring scientific experiments from prototypes to reliable and scalable products ready for adoption across Microsoft.
-
Coding and Design: Owns or collaborates with other engineers on the architecture of solutions, with minimal technical oversight. Applies appropriate coding patterns and best practices (e.g., leveraging state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence [GenAI], approaches to source code organization, naming conventions). Proactively considers diagnosability, reliability, testability, and maintainability when reviewing code, and understands when code is ready to be shared or delivered.
-
Engineering Excellence: Leads by example within the team to produce extensible, maintainable, well-tested, secure, and performant code that adheres to design specifications. Take responsibility for the content of their AI-generated requirements, design documents, code, and other assets, assisting other members of the team to do the same.
-
Cross-Project Collaboration: Seek connections between MSR projects, design and develop “better together” systems, architectures, and implementations that align key research in support of facilitating new research as well as product transfers. Build partnerships to align engineering efforts with research priorities and Microsoft’s broader innovation agenda.
-
Technical Leadership: Collaborate with MSR Americas engineering leadership to contribute to a cohesive engineering vision. Navigate ambiguity in a dynamic research environment, using tangible intermediate milestones to realize long-term vision.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree and/or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- OR equivalent experience.
- 2+ years technical leadership experience, defining milestones and helping an engineering team execute on their deliverables
- Demonstrated experience on an engineering team within a research or innovation setting, with responsibilities spanning prototypes to production.
- Experience with Microsoft AI stack, including but not limited to Azure/AI Platform and Copilot based experiences and tools.
- Experience contributing to or delivering AI powered products at scale
- Experience with early stage or first generation product development
Compensation
- 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:
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.
Overview
Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization working to create scientific knowledge and deliver innovation that leads to positive human impact at scale. To envision and build the future, we work with our scientific, engineering, academic and business partners to use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impact economics, health and society.
The Microsoft Research Americas Engineering team supports several MSR labs (Redmond, New England, New York City, and Montreal) and seeks an innovative and experienced Senior Research Software Engineer on the Agentic Experiences team to drive and contribute to a variety of research projects in various stages of research and productization. You will help deliver quality engineering solutions engaging in AI-native development methods, automation, and agentic workflows to design, build, evaluate, and ship software across Microsoft Research. You will collaborate with other engineers, researchers, and product teams to create innovative vision and drive high quality execution for high-impact and high-scale reach across all of Microsoft’s portfolio, from core models, health, social and economics, coding and development, vision and graphics, systems and networks, and more. You will also be able to contribute to the shape our engineering culture, strategy, and execution, as well as modernize AI engineering practices all in support of accelerating our collective impact across Microsoft Research Americas, Microsoft and beyond.
At Microsoft, our mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—guides how we partner with customers to deliver trusted, impactful solutions. With a growth mindset culture, we innovate responsibly and measure success by shared progress—people, teams, and customers. Join us to do meaningful work that changes the world and helps shape what’s next for everyone.
Responsibilities
-
Individual Contributor (IC) Development: Independently design and build software using appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) tools, frameworks and practices across the software development lifecycle (SDLC) in a disciplined manner. Apply innovative AI agentic tooling and workflows for efficient code generation, evaluation, debugging, and refinement. Contribute to all layers of code and infrastructure to bring scientific experiments from prototypes to reliable and scalable products ready for adoption across Microsoft.
-
Coding and Design: Owns or collaborates with other engineers on the architecture of solutions, with minimal technical oversight. Applies appropriate coding patterns and best practices (e.g., leveraging state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence [GenAI], approaches to source code organization, naming conventions). Proactively considers diagnosability, reliability, testability, and maintainability when reviewing code, and understands when code is ready to be shared or delivered.
-
Engineering Excellence: Leads by example within the team to produce extensible, maintainable, well-tested, secure, and performant code that adheres to design specifications. Take responsibility for the content of their AI-generated requirements, design documents, code, and other assets, assisting other members of the team to do the same.
-
Cross-Project Collaboration: Seek connections between MSR projects, design and develop “better together” systems, architectures, and implementations that align key research in support of facilitating new research as well as product transfers. Build partnerships to align engineering efforts with research priorities and Microsoft’s broader innovation agenda.
-
Technical Leadership: Collaborate with MSR Americas engineering leadership to contribute to a cohesive engineering vision. Navigate ambiguity in a dynamic research environment, using tangible intermediate milestones to realize long-term vision.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript OR equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree and/or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, Rust, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript
- OR equivalent experience.
- 2+ years technical leadership experience, defining milestones and helping an engineering team execute on their deliverables
- Demonstrated experience on an engineering team within a research or innovation setting, with responsibilities spanning prototypes to production.
- Experience with Microsoft AI stack, including but not limited to Azure/AI Platform and Copilot based experiences and tools.
- Experience contributing to or delivering AI powered products at scale
- Experience with early stage or first generation product development
Compensation
- 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:
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.
See all Research Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Engineer Jobs at Microsoft.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Engineer Jobs at Microsoft
Align your publications to Microsoft's research areas
Microsoft Research publishes openly across AI, systems, and human-computer interaction. Reviewing recent papers from MSR labs and framing your own research output to match their active directions signals genuine fit before you ever apply.
Target teams with active PhD hiring pipelines
Microsoft Research and product teams like Azure AI and Microsoft Fabric recruit Research Engineers heavily through PhD internship conversions. If you're finishing a doctorate, applying for a research internship first is the most direct path to a full-time sponsored offer.
Verify your visa category before accepting an offer
Microsoft sponsors H-1B, E-3, and H-1B1 visas depending on your nationality and role classification. Confirm which category applies to your situation early in the offer stage so your start date accounts for the correct USCIS or consular processing timeline.
Use Migrate Mate to find open Research Engineer roles at Microsoft
Research Engineer openings at Microsoft move quickly and aren't always easy to track across team-specific pages. Migrate Mate filters these roles by visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can identify and apply to active positions without sorting through roles that don't sponsor.
Prepare for a technical research presentation in interviews
Microsoft's Research Engineer loop typically includes a research talk or deep technical discussion of your prior work. Prepare a 20-to-30-minute presentation on your most relevant project, focused on problem framing, methodology, and practical impact rather than raw academic novelty.
Understand the LCA filing step before your start date
Before Microsoft can file your H-1B petition with USCIS, the Department of Labor must certify a Labor Condition Application for your role and work location. This step happens after you accept an offer, and delays there can push back your start date by two to four weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft sponsor H-1B visas for Research Engineers?
Yes, Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for Research Engineer roles. The company participates in the annual H-1B lottery each April, and Research Engineers are among the qualifying specialty occupation roles. If you're selected in the lottery, USCIS processing typically runs three to five months for regular processing or two to three weeks with premium processing.
Which visa types does Microsoft commonly use for Research Engineers?
Microsoft sponsors H-1B visas for most international Research Engineers, and also files H-1B1 visa petitions for Chilean and Singaporean nationals and E-3 visa petitions for Australian citizens. These alternatives to the H-1B cap-subject lottery can be significantly faster to obtain and are worth confirming with your Microsoft recruiter early in the process if you qualify.
What qualifications does Microsoft expect for Research Engineer roles?
Most Research Engineer positions at Microsoft expect a master's or PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field, along with a portfolio of published or applied research. For H-1B sponsorship, your degree must align with the specialty occupation standard under USCIS guidelines, meaning the field of study needs to directly correspond to the engineering role being filled.
How do I apply for Research Engineer jobs at Microsoft?
You can find Research Engineer openings through Migrate Mate, which filters roles at Microsoft by visa sponsorship eligibility. Applications go through Microsoft's careers portal, where you'll submit a resume and optionally a research statement or publications list. Research-track roles often route through specific team recruiters, so identifying the right team before applying improves your chances of getting a timely response.
How do I understand the timeline between an offer and my start date at Microsoft?
Once you receive an offer, Microsoft's immigration team initiates the visa process, starting with a DOL Labor Condition Application before any USCIS filing. For H-1B transfers from another employer, you can start on the receipt notice. For new H-1B cap filings, the earliest start date is October 1 of the fiscal year following selection, so plan your transition accordingly.