Job description

Overview AI is redefining how developers build software, from code generation and multi-step reasoning to autonomous debugging and code review. VS Code, the world's most loved and used code editor, is at the center of that transformation. With over 50 million developers in the Visual Studio family and 15 million developers using GitHub Copilot, VS Code is building tools that power developers on a global scale. As a Senior Product Manager - VS Code on the VS Code team , you will partner closely with engineering, researchers, data science, and design to shape how AI is integrated into core developer workflows. We ship every day, so you will turn strategy into action, validate ideas with real users, and lead teams in continuously delivering high-impact improvements. You will work with one of the world's most engaged open-source developer communities, incorporating feedback in cycles that span days rather than quarters. You should be a technical, hands-on product leader who is genuinely curious about how developer tools work. You will use VS Code and AI coding tools firsthand, work directly with code, and go deep with engineers on technical and product tradeoffs. You will bring clarity to ambiguous problems, set direction for significant product areas, and align teams across VS Code and GitHub around shared outcomes. Join us in building the future of developer tools with VS Code! Responsibilities • Define the vision, strategy, and measurable outcomes for significant product areas, continuously evaluating developer scenarios and translating customer needs and emerging technology into clear priorities. • Lead end-to-end delivery of cohesive product experiences across VS Code and GitHub, partnering closely with engineering, researchers, data science, and design from early exploration through launch and iteration. • Build deep developer empathy by writing and debugging code, self-hosting VS Code, testing extensions and prototypes, and staying close to customers through GitHub issues, social media, interviews, and user studies. • Go deep with engineers on technical and architectural tradeoffs, grounded in direct experience using VS Code and AI tools and a deep understanding of our user base. • Use quantitative and qualitative data to understand product behavior, improve performance and reliability, run controlled experiments, and make investment decisions that deliver measurable product and growth outcomes. • Lead ambiguous, cross-team and cross-organization initiatives, creating clarity, aligning stakeholders, managing tradeoffs, and driving decisions through execution. • Partner with the open-source community and extension ecosystem to sustain a healthy community around VS Code and create authentic, rapid feedback loops. • Represent VS Code externally through blogs, videos, livestreams, workshops, customer meetings, and conferences, grounded in a deep understanding of industry trends and VS Code's strengths. • Stay current on emerging technologies and the AI developer tools landscape to identify opportunities and inform VS Code's future investments. Qualifications Required/Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree AND 5+ years experience in product/service/program management or software development • 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. Preferred/Additional Qualifications: • 3+ years of hands-on experience using Visual Studio Code. • Regular hands-on use of AI-powered coding tools. • Demonstrated experience defining product strategy and shipping complex products or features with engineering, design, and data science partners. • Demonstrated experience leading ambiguous initiatives across multiple teams or organizations and aligning stakeholders around shared outcomes. • Experience shipping features for AI developer tools, such as code assistants, AI-integrated development environments, or agentic coding tools. • Familiarity with agentic coding workflows such as multi-step code generation, autonomous debugging, testing, and code review. • Experience using experimentation, product analytics, and customer research to set direction and measure product outcomes. • Experience working in, contributing to, or demonstrating a sustained passion for open-source communities. • Experience working with fast-moving, distributed engineering teams. Product Management IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: careers.microsoft.com 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.

Requirements

Must-haves

With over 50 million developers in the Visual Studio family and 15 million developers using GitHub Copilot, VS Code is building tools that power developers on a global scale.
Join us in building the future of developer tools with VS Code!
Define the vision, strategy, and measurable outcomes for significant product areas, continuously evaluating developer scenarios and translating customer needs and emerging technology into clear priorities.
Lead end-to-end delivery of cohesive product experiences across VS Code and GitHub, partnering closely with engineering, researchers, data science, and design from early exploration through launch and iteration.
Build deep developer empathy by writing and debugging code, self-hosting VS Code, testing extensions and prototypes, and staying close to customers through GitHub issues, social media, interviews, and user studies.
Go deep with engineers on technical and architectural tradeoffs, grounded in direct experience using VS Code and AI tools and a deep understanding of our user base.
Use quantitative and qualitative data to understand product behavior, improve performance and reliability, run controlled experiments, and make investment decisions that deliver measurable product and growth outcomes.
Lead ambiguous, cross-team and cross-organization initiatives, creating clarity, aligning stakeholders, managing tradeoffs, and driving decisions through execution.
Partner with the open-source community and extension ecosystem to sustain a healthy community around VS Code and create authentic, rapid feedback loops.
Represent VS Code externally through blogs, videos, livestreams, workshops, customer meetings, and conferences, grounded in a deep understanding of industry trends and VS Code's strengths.
Stay current on emerging technologies and the AI developer tools landscape to identify opportunities and inform VS Code's future investments.
Bachelor's Degree AND 5+ years experience in product/service/program management or software development • OR equivalent experience.
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.
3+ years of hands-on experience using Visual Studio Code.
Regular hands-on use of AI-powered coding tools.
Demonstrated experience defining product strategy and shipping complex products or features with engineering, design, and data science partners.
Demonstrated experience leading ambiguous initiatives across multiple teams or organizations and aligning stakeholders around shared outcomes.
Experience shipping features for AI developer tools, such as code assistants, AI-integrated development environments, or agentic coding tools.
Familiarity with agentic coding workflows such as multi-step code generation, autonomous debugging, testing, and code review.
Experience using experimentation, product analytics, and customer research to set direction and measure product outcomes.
Experience working in, contributing to, or demonstrating a sustained passion for open-source communities.
Experience working with fast-moving, distributed engineering teams.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

Nice-to-haves

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