Principal Technical Program Manager - Datacenter Infrastructure

Overview

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is the team behind the cloud. Within CO+I, the Integrated Planning & Execution (IPE) - Datacenter Infrastructure team responsible for global planning to maximize efficiency of our capacity while optimizing safety, security, and availability across our global datacenter portfolio. As a Principal Technical Program Manager focused on Datacenter Infrastructure, you will be responsible for leading and managing Global OKRs across multiple regions and cross functional teams.

You will partner with team projects, analytics, and growing key business relationships aimed at optimizing global programs that not only prove at pilot but also scale for impact. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies for maximizing efficiency and ensuring sustainable practices in our cloud infrastructure.

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.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Technical Program Manager to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing enterprise level programs in a complex cloud infrastructure environment, ensuring seamless integration of cloud services, and optimizing performance across the organization. As a Datacenter Infrastructure Lead, you will play a key role in driving a successful multi-year execution, implementation of strategies and ongoing management of our cloud infrastructure initiatives across MSFT.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Strategy

• Defining end-to-end technical program plans using structured delivery frameworks including Agile and Waterfall, including scope, milestones, dependencies, and execution timelines.
• Execute a comprehensive multi-year program strategy to optimize infrastructure utilization across Microsoft's global datacenters.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align program goals with organizational objectives and business priorities.
• Lead cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, and finance, to ensure program success.

Technical Expertise and Management

• Implementing responsible AI practices in AI/ML systems, including model risk assessment, bias evaluation, data governance controls, and compliance with internal and regulatory AI policies.
• Analyzing complex system and platform dependencies across distributed services, APIs, and infrastructure components to identify technical risks and execution constraints.
• Managing technical risk, issue, and decision tracking using formal TPM frameworks and escalation models.
• Defining technical requirements, success criteria, and acceptance metrics using functional and non-functional requirement specifications, including scalability, availability, performance, and security targets.

Project Planning, Execution and Stakeholder Management

• Defining operational readiness criteria for production releases using go-live checklists, failure-mode analysis, and post-deployment validation metrics.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure timely and successful delivery.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of program activities.
• Driving program execution across distributed engineering teams by tracking delivery metrics including schedule variance, milestone burndown, throughput, and defect leakage.
• Implementing governance and change-control mechanisms for technical programs using impact analysis, dependency validation, and formal change-approval processes.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing best practices, innovative solutions, and process enhancements.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements related to datacenter infrastructure and delivery.
• Lead efforts to pilot and evaluate new technologies and methodologies to enhance program outcomes.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development OR equivalent experience.

3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.

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.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).

5+ years of experience as a Technical Program Manager, Program Manager, or similar role in highly technical environments.

Proven experience leading complex, cross‑team technical programs with significant infrastructure or platform components.

Strong technical foundation in one or more of the following:

Cloud infrastructure and distributed systems

Platforms or large‑scale compute environments

Demonstrated ability to manage execution in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership

Deep Program Management expertise in converting data into insights into actions into impacts.

Change Management and Stakeholder Management are important to the success of this role.

Experience delivering programs that not only prove at pilot but also scale for impact.

Familiarity with data center operations, hardware lifecycle management, or global deployment programs.

Experience driving cycle‑time reduction or large‑scale process transformation.

Background working with hyperscale cloud platforms or enterprise services.

Technical Program Management IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $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.

Insights from previous hires

Top skills: Management, Business Development, Business Analysis, Business, Azure Cloud, Attainment, Adoption, Information Technology, Cross Functional Team Leadership, Cloud Computing

Common previous titles: Principal Product Manager, Senior, Senior Tech Support Engineer, Senior Specialist, Senior Product Manager, Senior Partner Manager, Senior Manager, Engineer Senior, Specialist, Solution Engineer