Member of Technical Staff, Microsoft Robotics (Robot Security & Safety)

Microsoft Corporation

Redmond, WA

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$119,800–$234,700 Per Year

SKILLS

Access Control, Analysis Skills, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents, Automation, Background Investigation, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Cloud Computing, Coding Standards, Communications Security (COMSEC), Computer Firmware, Computer Science, Computer Security, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Improvement, Continuous Integration, Cryptography, Customer Relations, Cyber-Physical, Digital Certificates, Ecosystems, Embedded Systems, Engineering, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fleet Management, HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Analysis), Hunting, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Identify Issues, Incident Response, Industry Standards, International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC), Internet Security, Internet of Things, Java, JavaScript, Leadership, Metrics, Microsoft C# (C Sharp), Microsoft Office, Microsoft Product Family, Microsoft Windows System Internals/Programming, Operational Strategy, Performance Metrics, Physical Security, Policy Implementation, Process Improvement, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Quantum Computing, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Rich Internet Application (RIA), Risk Analysis, Robotics, Robotics Software, Safety Engineering, Safety Standards, Safety Systems, Safety Training, Secure Coding, Security Analysis, Security Architecture, Security Attacks, Simulation, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Standards Organizations, Supply Chain, System Architecture, System Operations, Technical Strategy, Telemetry, Testing, Threat Modeling, Trend Analysis, U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Vehicle Fleets, Vulnerability Scanners

LOCATION

Redmond, WA

POSTED

17 days ago

**Overview** Microsoft's Discovery and Quantum (MDQ) division develops and delivers advanced artificial intelligence (AI), cloud-enabled capabilities, and strategic technologies to help solve the world's major challenges. From accelerating scientific discovery with advanced AI tools, to pioneering breakthroughs in quantum computing, to advancing robotics and AI capabilities that drive real-world impact, joining MDQ means building the future, partnering with fast-moving innovators, and operating in a high-impact, mission-driven environment. At Microsoft Robotics within MDQ, we build and deploy technologies that enable people, robots, and AI agents to collaborate and achieve more. We are building Microsoft's platform for physical intelligence-an integrated robotics software and AI platform that brings together humans, robots, and agents through robotics AI models, innovative teaming solutions and experiences, physically grounded agentic AI workflows, trustworthy test and evaluation, and real-world customer-focused validation. Built on Microsoft's core platforms and delivered through and with a global ecosystem of partners and customers, this platform accelerates AI for the physical world and helps robotics solutions move from experimentation to reliable, scaled deployment. We are hiring a **Member of Technical Staff, Microsoft Robotics (Robot Security & Safety)** at the Senior level, to define and implement security and safety frameworks for Microsoft's robotics platform, ensuring that robots, AI models, and cloud-connected infrastructure operate safely, securely, and in compliance with applicable standards across all deployment contexts. This role bridges cybersecurity, functional safety, and AI safety for physical systems, a uniquely challenging domain where software vulnerabilities can result in physical harm and where autonomous AI behaviors must be bounded by robust safety envelopes. The engineer will develop threat models, safety architectures, monitoring systems, and incident response capabilities tailored to the specific considerations of responsibly deploying AI-enabled robots in the real world. 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. \#MicrosoftRobotics #MDQ **Responsibilities** + Design and implement end-to-end security and safety architectures for robotic systems, spanning the full hardware-software robot stack, including device-level security (secure boot, firmware integrity, encrypted communications), platform-level security (identity, access control, certificate management), and cloud-to-edge security for robot fleet management. + Develop and maintain safety analyses and threat models (FMEA, FTA, HAZOP, STPA) specific to robotic systems operating in human-populated environments, identifying risks from cyber-attack vectors, AI behavior failures, hardware faults, and environmental uncertainties. + Define and enforce safety envelopes and runtime safety monitors for autonomous robot behaviors, including collision avoidance, force limiting, workspace boundaries, and graceful degradation under sensor or actuator failure conditions. + Analyze key security metrics, KPIs, and telemetry data to identify trends in security posture and safety incidents, implementing mitigation strategies and driving continuous improvement of the platform's security and safety posture. + Design and scale solutions to address identified security control issues (network, identity, applications) and current threats specific to robotics deployments, anticipating and articulating risks to leadership. + Develop and implement incident response processes for robotics-specific security and safety events, including physical safety incidents, AI behavior anomalies, fleet compromise scenarios, and supply chain integrity concerns. + Collaborate with robotics engineers, AI researchers, and platform engineers to embed security and safety requirements into the software development lifecycle, including secure coding standards, security testing in CI/CD pipelines, and safety validation in simulation. + Contribute to the development and implementation of security policies and standards for robotic systems, aligning with industry frameworks (NIST, MITRE ATT&CK for ICS, IEC 61508, ISO 13482, ISO 10218, RIA standards) and Microsoft's security requirements. + Engage with regulatory bodies, industry standards organizations, and Microsoft internal AI safety and security communities (e.g., Microsoft's Office of Responsible AI), to stay current on evolving safety and security requirements for autonomous and AI-enabled physical systems. + Leverage automation and AI to improve effectiveness of security operations, including automated vulnerability scanning, anomaly detection in robot telemetry, and AI-assisted threat hunting across the robotics fleet. **Qualifications** **_Required 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. **_Other Requirements:_** + Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings + Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. **_Preferred Qualifications:_** + 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, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python + 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, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python + OR equivalent experience. + Experience with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 13482, ISO 10218) or safety engineering methodologies (FMEA, FTA, STPA, HAZOP) applied to robotic or autonomous systems. + Experience with AI safety, including runtime monitoring of autonomous system behaviors, safety envelope enforcement, or red-teaming of AI-enabled physical systems. + Familiarity with robotics system architectures, ROS/ROS2 security models, and cloud-to-edge communication security for robot fleets. + Industry certifications in cybersecurity (CISSP, GICSP, CEH) or functional safety (TUV, CFSE) are a plus. + Background in IoT security, embedded systems security, or operational technology (OT) security for connected physical devices. + Experience developing and executing security breach drills, tabletop exercises, or incident response simulations for cyber-physical systems. Software Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800.00 - $234,700.00 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 $160,200.00 - $261,000.00 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. (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html)

About the Company

Microsoft Corporation

DO WHAT YOU LOVE
Make your mark on the world’s most used technologies. Develop the next hit mobile application. Pioneer a startup that could be the next big thing. At Microsoft, you choose your path.

Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft is a top innovator in both the consumer and enterprise technology industry. Just a few of the many things our products do are unleash creativity, connect businesses, and make learning more fun. But our continued success is based on one thing: our employees. We hire amazing, talented people and give them the opportunities—and the tools—to succeed.

WHY MICROSOFT?
As a Microsoft employee, you’re surrounded by a diverse group of the smartest people in your field. This fosters new ideas, better business results, and creates a dynamic work environment. In the office, you’re constantly challenged and supported by your colleagues. Every day holds something new and exciting.

We also offer unparalleled depth and breadth of career opportunities. As an industry leader in multiple fields, working for Microsoft means being able to do whatever you feel passionate about—and being able to make an impact in that field. From day one, we give our employees significant responsibility. This means that you’ll know that you directly contributed to something that has a positive impact on people worldwide. Whether you choose to work in management, dive deep into the newest technology, or explore multiple professions, you’ll find everything you need at Microsoft to drive your career—and to make a difference.

WE GET IT – YOU’RE MORE THAN YOUR JOB
Everyone works differently and is motivated by different things. We also understand that there’s more to you than your job. That’s why we offer competitive pay and a wide assortment of benefits-- to help you make the most of life at work and away from it.

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COMPANY SIZE

10,000 employees or more

INDUSTRY

Other/Not Classified

FOUNDED

1975

WEBSITE

http://www.microsoft.com