Industry Architect - R&D New

Overview

Microsoft is helping define a new era of scientific and industrial innovation: one where agentic AI, cloud-scale computing, data, simulation, and human expertise come together to accelerate breakthroughs that once took months or years. As customers look to transform how they discover new materials, medicines, products, processes, and research insights, they need more than a platform — they need deeply technical partners who can turn ambition into working solutions. This role has three distinct dimensions: shaping customer outcomes, leading technical delivery, and scaling R&D motions.

We are seeking an Industry Architect, executive presence, and leadership ability to shape complex R&D opportunities. You will work directly with R&D leaders, scientific researchers, account teams, industry leaders, and Microsoft product engineering to identify high-value R&D scenarios. The Industry Architect serves as the strategic bridge between scientific innovation, business outcomes, and Microsoft’s AI technologies, shaping high-value opportunities from pre-sales through delivery and leading first-of-its-kind MVPs and cutting-edge production deployments.

This is a role for builders who thrive in ambiguity, move comfortably from high level customer needs to whiteboard to code, and are energized by solving complex customer problems in the real world. You will help customers reimagine R&D workflows through Microsoft AI while also shaping the repeatable patterns, product feedback, and delivery motions that scale this frontier AI business across industries. If you are excited by the opportunity to co-engineer with customers, unlock new scientific and industrial possibilities, and help establish one of Microsoft’s most strategic AI growth motions, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

Understanding Customer/Partner Technical Environment

Gathers and propagates customer/partner insights from a broad range of stakeholders as well as the main business sponsor that will help shape and form both the definition and ongoing execution of the project. Learns to adapt business models, plans, and solutions to insights.

Works with customer/partner stakeholders (e.g., Enterprise Architects, Security Team, Development Team, Operations Team) and business sponsor to socialize both the business solution and the project approach to determine if changes are needed to the business solution. Where the cost of change is accepted by the customer, shares this feedback with the project team and the broader account team to make the necessary adjustments using mechanisms such as updating the solution approach and projected costs in presales and change requests in delivery. 

Uses evidence-based approach to function as a customer advocate and drives awareness of insights with a view for improving Microsoft technologies, products, services, and offerings such that they can better meet customer/partner needs.

Architecture Design and Deployment

Leverages a structured approach to Architecture Projects using existing methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Iterative) that make use of existing reference architecture and established architectural styles and design patterns. Maintains an architecture description document, an architecture decisions log, and a requirements/constraints traceability matrix to ensure the rationale for the business solution's architecture is known and understood.

Contributes to definition and documentation of the Architecture through an architecture description document, an architecture decisions log, and a requirements/constraints traceability matrix to communicate the value proposition of the business solution along with the project approach. Participates in cost-based and technology-based discussions to explain the Architecture in terms of its build, deployment, and ongoing operational use to determine customer appetite for the business solution. Uses a business-value approach that values return on investment (ROI) and customer costs-savings over technical ease of execution.

Contributes to the design, build, and deployment of proof of concepts (POCs) and pilots. Works with customers to understand and demonstrate business value (e.g., release of revenue, cost savings) that the business solution realizes.

Works with the business sponsor and customer/partner stakeholders (e.g., Business users, Enterprise Architects, Security Team, Operations Team) to gather and ratify requirements and constraints. Resolves ambiguity in the requirements and constraints and documents assumptions and implications where it cannot be resolved. Maintains the requirements/constraints traceability matrix to prove that solution components have a rationale/justification for inclusion in the architecture of the business solution. Contributes to development and execution of test plans to prove that each requirement/constraint has been implemented as expected by the customer. Where there are defects, works in close collaboration with the Project Manager and customer to redress or accept and document the status of the test results.

Collaborates with the Account Team and/or Bid Team to understand the business solution/problem. Seeks to drive agreement, based on the customer’s priorities, requirements/constraints, approach, principles, concepts, and expectations. Contributes to building and documenting a realistically costed solution approach with traceability of requirements, constraints, decisions, and tradeoffs that balances risk, technical credibility, and technical innovation to meet customer need, predominantly based on existing solution offerings and/or reference architecture. Jointly leads the implementation in close partnership with the Project Manager. Exercises oversight and governance and uses quality practices and standards to realize the business solution. Uses a cohesive build methodology with an agreed release schedule and timeline so the solution can be transitioned to live operations. Promotes communication of and adherence to the pre-sales value proposition. Works with the Project Manager to highlight where assumptions have proven false. May use change requests to modify the solution/project approach as needed.

Identifies scenarios that could slow or impede pre-sales/delivery. Communicates with the broader Microsoft team to address technical blockers and communicates with account/project team to resolve non-technical issues. Reports significant problems to designated leaders and escalates when needed. Work with others with specialist skills to support technical alignment across internal/external teams. Helps coordinate disparate approaches into a single plan of action. 

Under direction of others, works in close collaboration with the Project Manager and Account Team to categorize and communicate business and technical risks. Seeks to identify risks. Contributes to defining risk mitigation activities that are foundational to the project plan. Contributes to defining risk contingency plans for invocation should the risk occur. 

Practice Development

Contributes to generation of new and/or improvements to existing intellectual property. Provides input on which ideas should be culled. Learns to identify opportunities for re-use of intellectual property. Executes on and contributes to Recommend Practices in both pre-sales and delivery. Participates in internal/external communities.

Trusted Advisor

Begins developing a network of internal/external relationships to build influence in addressing problems/ blockers and facilitating additional views on the matter of interest. Develops knowledge of Microsoft’s technologies, products, and services in order to communicate Microsoft's mission, strategy, and capabilities.

Uses evidence-based arguments that articulate complex concepts in a simple manner to respectfully challenge Microsoft and customers/partners when a decision or course of action will not produce optimal results. Escalates scenarios as appropriate. Serves as the "technical conscience" to challenge the status quo and unrealistic expectations. Resolves conflicts and seeks resolution to balance the overall outcome when needed.

Understands competitor solutions and identifies how customer business value can be driven through Microsoft's offerings. Demonstrates the benefits of the solution in customer/partner conversations.

Thought Leadership

Shares ideas, insight, and technical input with virtual team members (e.g., Account team, enterprise channel managers) using a working knowledge of specific Microsoft architectures and other relevant products.

Participates in external architect community events (e.g., conferences, seminars, technical meetups, Webcasts, blogs, hackathons) and shares learnings with internal team.

Other

Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND demonstrated professional experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security)

OR master's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND foundational experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security)OR equivalent experience.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND substantial experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security)

OR master's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND established experience in technology solutions, practice development, architecture, consulting, and/or technology domain (e.g., Security)OR equivalent experience.

Experience supporting technical sales engagements.

Experience managing projects and delivering outcomes.

Technical or Professional Certification in Domain (e.g., Security).

Solution Architecture IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 77,600.00 - £ 132,500.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:

https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html

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.