Senior Technical Program Manager

Role Overview

Microsoft is looking for a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) to improve the performance, power efficiency, and responsiveness of the Windows PC ecosystem.

This role sits within the Partner Quality Engineering (PQE) organization and focuses on ensuring Windows devices deliver excellent real-world experiences—including fast boot times, quick application launches, efficient memory usage, and long battery life.

The TPM works closely with:

• Windows engineering teams
• PC manufacturers (OEMs)
• Silicon partners (Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, etc.)
• Internal engineering stakeholders

to identify performance issues, define success metrics, influence hardware and software design, and drive improvements before products reach customers.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Own Windows Performance Metrics

Develop and maintain the performance KPIs used to evaluate Windows devices.

Examples include:

• Boot/startup speed
• Resume from sleep
• App launch performance
• Battery life
• Memory efficiency
• Overall responsiveness

Responsibilities include:

• Tracking ecosystem-wide performance
• Analyzing telemetry and benchmark data
• Turning performance data into actionable insights
• Reporting findings to leadership and partners

2. Influence Device Design

Work with OEMs and hardware partners to ensure new Windows devices launch with competitive performance.

Focus areas include:

• Fast startup
• Fast resume
• Efficient power consumption
• Strong battery life
• Memory optimization for lower-end devices

Rather than designing hardware directly, the TPM uses data and recommendations to influence engineering decisions.

3. Improve Performance Testing

Ensure Microsoft measures performance in ways that reflect real customer usage.

Responsibilities

• Define meaningful performance assessments
• Update benchmarks as user behavior changes
• Partner with engineering teams to improve testing methodologies

4. Drive Performance Improvements

Lead investigations into:

• Performance regressions
• Battery issues
• Power inefficiencies
• Slow application launches
• Hardware compatibility issues

Coordinate workshops with:

• Device manufacturers
• Silicon vendors
• Windows engineering teams

to identify root causes and implement fixes.

5. Partner Enablement

Represent Microsoft's performance initiatives externally by:

• Speaking at partner events
• Leading engineering workshops
• Developing documentation and best practices
• Helping OEMs resolve common performance problems independently

6. Use AI and Data Analytics

Leverage:

• AI
• Telemetry
• Automated diagnostics
• Data analysis

to:

• Detect performance issues faster
• Improve troubleshooting
• Enhance performance triage workflows
• Shape Microsoft's future AI-powered performance engineering capabilities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree

• 4+ years of experience in one or more of:

• Engineering

• Technical Program Management

• Product Management

• Product Development

• Data Analysis

• Ability to pass Microsoft's Cloud Background Check

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in:

Program & Product Management

• Shipping commercial software or hardware products
• Technical Program Management (TPM)
• Product Management
• Software Development

Performance Engineering

• Windows or platform performance
• Device optimization
• Hardware ecosystems
• Developer tools

Technical Knowledge

• Performance optimization
• Battery and power management
• Silicon technologies
• Benchmarking
• Hardware validation

Analytics

• KPI development
• Telemetry analysis
• Data-driven decision making
• Benchmark interpretation

Communication

• Executive presentations
• Technical storytelling
• Partner engagement
• Industry conference speaking

Key Skills

Technical

• Windows Performance
• Performance Engineering
• Battery Optimization
• Power Management
• Memory Optimization
• Hardware Performance
• Silicon Platforms
• Telemetry Analysis
• Benchmarking
• AI-assisted Diagnostics

Program Management

• Technical Program Management
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Partner Collaboration
• Risk Management
• KPI Development

Business

• Executive Communication
• Data Storytelling
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Planning

Ideal Candidate

Microsoft is seeking someone who:

• Understands both hardware and software performance.
• Has experience improving product performance using measurable data.
• Can collaborate effectively with engineers, hardware partners, and leadership.
• Is comfortable defining KPIs and using telemetry to influence decisions.
• Can lead complex technical initiatives without direct authority.
• Enjoys solving large-scale system performance challenges.

Compensation (U.S.)

Technical Program Management IC4

• Typical U.S. base salary: $119,800–$234,700
• San Francisco Bay Area / NYC: $160,200–$261,000

Additional compensation may include bonuses, stock awards, and Microsoft's benefits package.

Overall Assessment

This is a senior technical leadership role centered on Windows ecosystem performance rather than feature development. The emphasis is on measuring, analyzing, and improving the user experience across millions of Windows PCs by partnering with hardware manufacturers and engineering teams.

It is best suited for professionals with experience in:

• Technical Program Management
• Performance Engineering
• Operating Systems
• Hardware or Silicon Platforms
• Device Performance Optimization
• Data Analytics and Telemetry
• Cross-functional technical leadership

The role combines program management, systems engineering, performance optimization, data analysis, AI-assisted diagnostics, and partner collaboration to ensure Windows devices deliver best-in-class real-world performance.