Insider Risk Investigator

Overview

The Insider Risk Investigator will lead complex insider risk investigations spanning on-premises, cloud, and endpoint systems. This role will apply advanced analytical, forensic, and detection engineering techniques to identify, assess, and contain insider-driven risks to Microsoft’s people, data, and intellectual property. Partnering with business units across Microsoft, the Senior Investigator will coordinate response actions, manage case communication, ensure evidence integrity and governance compliance throughout the investigative lifecycle. The role also requires contribution to the evolution of Microsoft’s insider risk detection and response capabilities by developing new detection plans and playbooks.

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

Responsibilities

Investigative Execution & Rigor:

• Execute the end-to-end investigative cycle, including evidence development, technical analysis, and documentation of findings using established investigative standards.
• Ensure investigative work products are complete, defensible, and consistent with program expectations for rigor, evidentiary integrity, and due process.
• Contribute to translating technical investigative activity into clear, structured findings and insights for stakeholders

Technical Investigation & Signal Development:

• Partner with technical subject matter experts to identify, access, and interpret relevant data sources for investigative use.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of detection logic, investigative triggers, and signal quality to improve investigative outcomes
• Apply technical expertise to support root cause analysis and evidence-based conclusions across complex investigations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with investigators, legal, HR, security, and compliance partners to support coordinated, cross-functional investigations.
• Ensure alignment with established processes and minimize duplication of investigative effort across teams.
• Contribute to a culture of investigative rigor, accountability, and professional excellence.

Other:

• Ebody our company's Culture and Values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field
  • OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat modeling, cyber security, anomaly detection, Security Operations Center (SOC) detection, threat analytics, security incident and event management (SIEM), information technology (IT), or operations incident response
  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field AND 4+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat modeling, cyber security, anomaly detection, Security Operations Center (SOC) detection, threat analytics, security incident and event management (SIEM), information technology (IT), or operations incident response
  • OR equivalent experience. 

Other Requirements:

Security Clearance Requirements: Candidates must be able 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: 

The successful candidate must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret Security Clearance. Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. Failure to maintain or obtain the appropriate clearance and/or customer screening requirements may result in employment action up to and including termination.

• Clearance Verification: This position requires successful verification of the stated security clearance to meet federal government customer requirements. You will be asked to provide clearance verification information prior to an offer of employment.
• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of U.S. citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local United States government agency customer and is subject to certain Classified as Microsoft Confidential citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, citizenship will be verified via a valid passport, or other approved documents, or verified US government Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, modeling, cybersecurity, anomaly detection, Security Operations Center (SOC) detection, threat analytics, security incident and event management (SIEM), information technology (IT), and operations incident response.OR equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in programing and query languages (e.g., Python, Powershell, SQL, KQL)
• Proficiency in Azure cloud environments, with a strong understanding of data flows, access management.
• Analytical mindset with experience in threat detection, incident response, and root-cause analysis in cloud environments.
• Experience is any of the following areas: Identity and Access Management, Red Team, Penetration testing, Software development, DevSecOps, or other specialization.
• Experience working with HR, legal, and compliance teams to ensure alignment with company policies and regulations.
• Experience supporting insider risk, trust & safety, security, or enterprise risk investigations programs.
• Experience working with technical data sources and translating findings into actionable insights.
• Familiarity with investigative standards, evidentiary principles, and structured investigative methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, cross-functional environments spanning technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Security Operations Engineering 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:
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.