Principal UX Architect
Microsoft
AI agents are only as smart as the knowledge they can access. We're building the semantic layer for Microsoft's next-generation data platform—the intelligent foundation that helps AI understand business context and take meaningful action. You'll join a team at the cutting edge of knowledge engineering, designing how business logic, goals, and outcomes get structured so agents can reason, learn, and act on behalf of users. We're not just organizing information—we're teaching AI to think like domain experts.
As a Principal UX Architect, you'll design how business knowledge gets structured, connected, and surfaced across our AI data platform. You'll create semantic frameworks—ontologies and contextual models—that enable agents to understand what users need and why it matters. You'll go beyond glossaries and taxonomies, designing the contextual intelligence that teaches AI agents what matters in business situations and how to respond. This opportunity will allow you to shape the future of agent-led enterprise software, influence architectural decisions with user-centered thinking, and define patterns that will impact how millions of users work with AI.
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.
Responsibilities
- Prototype and Model Semantic Experiences: Rapidly prototype user scenarios that show how well-structured knowledge transforms AI interactions. Turn abstract semantic concepts into tangible agent behaviors that solve real business problems.
- Build Knowledge Architectures that Scale: Define ontologies and agent playbooks that reflect how businesses actually work. Structure Dataverse schemas and entity relationships to make data semantically accessible and actionable.
- Make Complexity Clear: Write interface copy, system messages, and agent responses that make sophisticated semantic concepts feel intuitive. Bridge the gap between technical capability and human understanding.
- Drive Cross-Functional Impact: Partner closely with engineers, product managers, and domain experts to ensure semantic models are both technically feasible and genuinely useful. Influence architectural decisions with user-centered thinking.
- Establish Content Governance: Create and maintain style guides, content libraries, and governance frameworks that keep semantic assets consistent, accurate, and scalable as the platform grows.
- Ground Decisions in Research: Conduct user research and analyze feedback to continuously refine semantic structures. Validate that your models actually help users and agents accomplish their goals.
- Champion Accessibility: Ensure all semantic content and interfaces meet accessibility standards and reflect inclusive design principles.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in Arts, Humanities, Digital Communications, UX Design, Human Computer Interaction, Communications, English, Journalism, or related field AND 4+ years experience working in product or service design
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Arts, Humanities, Digital Communications, UX Design, Human Computer Interaction, Communications, English, Journalism, or related field AND 6+ years experience working in product or service design, copywriting, technical writing, writing (e.g. for marketing, advertising, e-commerce), brand design, or brand marketing
- 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.
- Travel: Occasional travel (0% to 25%) is expected in this role.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in arts, Humanities, Digital Communications, UX Design, Human Computer Interaction, Communications, English, Journalism, or related field AND 11+ years’ experience working in product or service design
- OR master’s degree in in Arts, Humanities, Digital Communications, UX Design, Human Computer Interaction, Communications, English, Journalism, or related field AND 8+ years’ experience working in product or service design
- OR equivalent experience.
- Experience with ontology or taxonomy tools.
- Deep understanding of information architecture and content strategy.
- Experience designing content systems.
#BICJobs
#ExperienceStudio
Content Design IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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.