Technical Program Manager II, Hardware Readiness

Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bringtheir best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us achieve our mission.

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the organization that powers Microsoft’s core cloud platforms and services that millions of people use every day. With more than 95% of Fortune 500 business on Azure, 180 million using Office 365, and millions using other services – all running on Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, CO+I builds and operates the foundation upon which Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and organization comes to life.

The Datacenter Integration Services (DCIS) team is part of CO+I Office of the CTO. DCIS’s vision is to ensure Microsoft can deploy and operate cloud infrastructure for any offering, at any time, in any location, at any scale. DCIS is a core team that is integral to the planning, development, deployment, and intelligent operations of innovative technologies and offerings such as immersion cooling, the fastest public cloud supercomputers and for customers running their mission critical workloads or providing unique AI offerings such as Azure OpenAI service. The DCIS leadership team deeply believes in Microsoft’s core values of Respect, Integrity & Accountability and each team member lives by Microsoft’s leadership principles to Create Clarity, Generate Energy & Deliver Success. Each of us is expected to model-coach-care with and for each other.

We are looking for a Technical Program Manager II, Hardware Readiness, responsible for the developemnt and deployment of knowledge management assets for new platforms as part hardware readiness program, encompassing various simultaneous projects that aim to address coverage for server, storage, networking devices, and IT hardware infrastructure across data centers worldwide. This role involves collaborating with internal Hardware Engineering and Data Center Operations teams, as well as Original Equipment Manufacturer and Original Design Manufacturer partners, to develop standardized procedures and workflows.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a dedication to overseeing intricate IT projects that span multiple organizations, possess robust organizational skills, and have prior experience in leading cultural and change management initiatives. The role calls for an individual with a strategic approach and a thorough knowledge of datacenter operations, hardware development, and related processes. The ability to collaborate effectively, influence without direct control, and adapt to an array of stakeholders, from top management to support staff, is vital for achieving success in this position.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Employees come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize shared goals. We build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive. 

• Partner with experts from different fields, including Datacenter Engineering, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Datacenter Operations, and with the broader Cloud Hardware Infrastructure Engineering organization to devise and implement approved procedural strategies. Leading multiple virtual teams of functional leads to land on a clear plan of record and ensure alignment across stakeholders on core CO+I requirements.
• Generates both quantitative and qualitative performance metrics (like Key Performance Indicators and Key Results for usage, quality, speed, and cost), monitors and communicates trends in business meetings, uncovers important insights to drive actions that improve future outcomes, and fine-tunes implementation across different features. Predicts potential resource implications.
• Conduct and document technical and operational risk assessments, drive tradeoffs and document decisions within and across teams.
• Drive accountability for decisions and deliverables with partner teams throughout each project’s lifecycle to ensure high availability and efficient recovery of capacity.
• Use customer feedback mechanisms, data collection tools, engagements like interviews or surveys to gain insight into product/service performance and customer demands. Communicating these insights to peer and partner team representatives. Develops theories for complex technical needs, conducts experiments, and explores iteratively to enhance certain performance indicators.
• Ensure CO+I related processes, requirements, and specifications are continuously improved as datacenter and IT hardware evolves and new technologies are released to production.
• Manage risks delivering highly available and efficient services and operations with measurable results.
• Deliver results amidst ambiguous and changing business requirements by demonstrating a self-driven work ethic in our dynamic and high-pressure environment.
• Learn, live, and coach “One Microsoft” culture and values. Lead through change by bringing clarity, generating energy, and delivering success.
• Embody our culture and values.  

Required/minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND 2+ years experience in server and network hardware deployment and breakfix support, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development in Data Center/mission critical environment OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ year(s) 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND 4+ years experience in server and network hardware deployment and breakfix support, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development in Data Centers/mission critical environment OR equivalent experience.
• Program management experience working in physical IT infrastructures (e.g., Servers, SANs, Networking, Capacity, DC Rack/Enclosures, structured cabling).
• Experience in data-center operations, hardware troubleshooting, incident/problem management, data analysis and procedural-content.
• 2+ years experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
• 1+ year(s) experience reading and/or writing code (e.g., sample documentation, product demos).
• Growth Mindset – a desire to learn, improve, and show persistence in the face of setbacks.
• Proven ability to collaborate with a wide range of business and engineering stakeholders to drive impact.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, assess opportunities and develop principles to prioritize multiple strategic and tactical solutions options.
• Experience presenting to a diverse set of stakeholders, including leadership teams.
• Experience working in a global, matrixed organization and working with cross-functional teams.
• Analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with datacenter critical environment concepts (examples: electrical distribution and mechanical cooling systems).
• Knowledge of engineering methodologies such as agile development and sprint planning.
• Hands on experience working with enterprise level infrastructure, server and networking hardware.
• Applicable certifications: Azure, Azure Networking, CCNA/CCNP, Network+, Security+, PMP, CAPM, Agile/Scrum, ITIL, Power Platform, automation, or data analytics.

#COICareers | #CTOCareers

Technical Program Management IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 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 $133,800 - $219,200 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.