Senior Research Software Engineer

Microsoft Research (MSR) AI Frontiers is inviting applications for a Senior Research Software Engineer to join our team. We are focused on solving real-world problems and pushing the boundaries of agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and research. 

The mission of the AI Frontiers lab is to expand the pareto frontier of AI capabilities, efficiency, and safety through innovations in foundation models and learning agent platforms. Some of our projects include work on multi-agent systems (e.g. AutoGen), small language models (e.g. Phi, Orca), foundation models for actions (e.g., in gaming, robotics, and Office productivity tools), and evaluation (e.g., Eureka).

We are seeking exceptional candidate to advance the state-of-the-art in foundation model-based agentic systems and interaction research. Focus areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Multi-agent systems and applications
• Foundation model-based agents
• Reliable and general-purpose agentic capabilities
• Human-AI/agent interaction and experiences
• Agentic evaluation and tooling
• Responsible AI

As a Senior Research Software Engineer on our team, you will work hands-on on challenging and impactful projects. You will apply your strong software engineering skills and expertise to a range of problems including rapid prototyping and testing of research hypotheses, contributing to, releasing, and maintaining high-quality open-source libraries and frameworks, and building and deploying robust practical solutions to real world problems. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with other researchers and engineers across the company to amplify your impact and grow your career in a supportive and stimulating environment.

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.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

• Apply software engineering skills to build, test, and deploy robust and intuitive AI-based technologies, libraries, and applications.
• Work closely with researchers and engineers to rapidly prototype and test new AI research ideas driving a high-impact agenda.
• Collaborate hands-on with other researchers, engineers, and product group partners on high-impact projects that deliver real-world impact to people and society.

• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors in Computer Science or relevant field AND 4+ years related technical engineering/research experience 
  • OR equivalent experience.   
• 2+ years of experience in Python.
• 1+ year(s) of hands-on experience building applications with AI features, experience with machine learning (ML) frameworks (such as Pytorch, Tensorflow, or scikit-learn), OR experience with AI/ML model development or evaluation.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 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, JavaScript , C#, or C++
  • OR Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, JavaScript, C#, or C++
  • OR Doctorate (or currently pursuing) in Computer Science or related fields AND 2+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, Python, JavaScript, C#, or C++
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated software engineering excellence building and deploying