below marketmost similar roles pay hereabove market
This role pays more than
70%
of similar roles. Most pay
$156,600–$216,253
— the blue band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$186k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology leader producing software, hardware, and cloud services including Windows, Office 365, Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming, and Surface devices. Industry: Software & Cloud Computing
Microsoft currently has
676 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 630 roles with salary data.
The Principal Security Researcher joins the Microsoft Security Research team to lead research across the Microsoft Defender ecosystem. This role involves transforming threat intelligence and large-scale security telemetry into actionable security intelligence to identify emerging threats and attacker behaviors. You will establish analytical methodologies, research standards, and quality criteria while collaborating with data scientists, engineers, and product teams to develop durable security capabilities. Day-to-day responsibilities include prototyping new intelligence capabilities, incorporating real-world feedback, and leveraging AI to accelerate research and analysis. Key required skills include expertise in the software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat analysis, modeling, cybersecurity, vulnerability research, and anomaly detection. You will provide technical leadership by translating complex evidence into prioritized actions for security practitioners and influencing product direction through research insights.
Transform threat intelligence and security telemetry into actionable intelligence and prioritized actions for security leaders.
Establish analytical methodologies, research standards, and quality criteria for scalable security analysis.
Translate novel research into durable security capabilities across Microsoft products and services.
Prototype and iterate on new intelligence capabilities using AI to accelerate research and analysis.
Provide technical leadership by shaping research direction and mentoring other researchers.
Communicate complex research findings to both technical and executive audiences.
Influence security investments and product direction through research-driven insights.
What we're looking for
Doctorate in a relevant field and 3+ years of experience in software development, large-scale computing, threat analysis, or cybersecurity.
Master's Degree in a relevant field and 4+ years of experience in software development, large-scale computing, threat analysis, or cybersecurity.
Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field and 6+ years of experience in software development, large-scale computing, threat analysis, or cybersecurity.
Equivalent experience to the degree and years of experience requirements.
Ability to pass Microsoft and Microsoft Cloud background checks.
Doctorate in a relevant field and 5+ years of experience in software development, large-scale computing, threat analysis, or cybersecurity (preferred).
Master's Degree in a relevant field and 8+ years of experience in software development, large-scale computing, threat analysis, or cybersecurity (preferred).
Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field and 12+ years of experience in software development, large-scale computing, threat analysis, or cybersecurity (preferred).
Experience conducting hands-on security research involving threat intelligence, telemetry analysis, incident investigation, or vulnerability research (preferred).
Experience analyzing large-scale security datasets to investigate threats or validate research conclusions (preferred).
Experience applying AI, machine learning, or large language models to security research or operations (preferred).
Threat Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Threat Analysis
Anomaly Detection
Vulnerability Research
Software Development Lifecycle
Large-scale Computing
Diamond Model
Intrusion Detection
Security Research
Vulnerability Research
Offensive Security
Exploit Development
Reverse Engineering
AI
Threat Analysis
Anomaly Detection
Software Development Lifecycle
Large-scale Computing
Capture The Flag (CTF)
Vulnerability Research
Offensive Security
Exploit Development
Reverse Engineering
AI
Threat Analysis
Anomaly Detection
Software Development Lifecycle
Cybersecurity
Capture The Flag (CTF)
Vulnerability Research
C
C++
Windows
Linux
Exploit Development
AI
Software Development Lifecycle
Threat Analysis
Anomaly Detection
Virtualization Security
Security Mitigations
Automation