Microsoft seeks Legal Engineer to build AI agents and transform legal operations with $279K salary

Microsoft seeks legal engineer to enhance AI use in its legal department

Microsoft is seeking to hire a principal legal engineer, a position designed to integrate legal expertise with technical skills, to enhance the use of artificial intelligence within its legal department. The new hire will be responsible for developing AI agents, refining prompts, and training attorneys in Microsoft's Customer & Partner Solutions group, which supports the company's commercial operations. The job posting, which appeared on LinkedIn this week, suggests that Microsoft is looking to significantly boost the efficiency and capabilities of its legal team through AI. Historically, lawyers have been hesitant to adopt technology due to concerns over accuracy, but the landscape is shifting as clients increasingly demand quicker and more cost-effective legal services. Legal teams are beginning to leverage software to handle tasks such as contract editing and policy drafting, allowing them to handle preliminary work in-house before passing more complex matters to outside counsel. This shift aims to reduce legal expenses, which may further motivate firms to embrace AI tools. The job description emphasizes that the role is intended for a builder who will actively create capabilities rather than simply advise. The legal engineer will collaborate closely with both engineers and legal staff, ensuring that the tools developed are tailored to the needs of attorneys and paralegals. Microsoft has already begun utilizing its own AI tools, such as Copilot, to streamline routine tasks. For instance, Copilot can assist in contract reviews by comparing drafts to similar agreements, identifying potential issues, and suggesting appropriate edits to align with company policies. Furthermore, Microsoft is rolling out the AI tool Harvey across its broader legal organization, Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs. The emergence of the legal engineer role is becoming increasingly common in corporate legal departments, reflecting a trend initially sparked by startups offering software solutions to law firms. Legal engineers, often former attorneys with technical backgrounds, work closely with clients to develop software that aligns with the workflows of legal professionals. Other companies are also recognizing the value of this role; for example, Palantir recently advertised a position for an embedded legal engineer to help automate manual workflows in its legal team. To qualify for the position at Microsoft, candidates must possess a law degree and a minimum of seven years of legal practice experience. Familiarity with AI legal tools like Harvey or Copilot is preferred. The base salary for this role ranges from $147,000 to $278,900 annually.

Microsoft is betting on AI to transform work, now it's hiring a Legal Engineer to lead the shift

Microsoft has opened a Legal Engineer position that blends legal experience with AI and technology, placing the role within its Corporate, External & Legal Affairs organisation. The selected professional will work with engineers, attorneys and paralegals to build AI capabilities, track adoption and system performance, and shape future investment decisions. The listed base salary ranges from USD $185,900 to $278,900 annually. Microsoft has opened a position for a Legal Engineer, a role that combines legal expertise with technology and AI to help transform how the company's legal operations use artificial intelligence. The position sits within Microsoft's Corporate, External & Legal Affairs (CELA) organisation, specifically its Customer & Partner Solutions (CPS) group. The role involves working alongside engineers, lawyers and paralegals to develop AI capabilities, analyse data and improve how the legal function operates. Also Read: Navya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchan's granddaughter, says watching Dadi Ritu Nanda work inspired her to become an entrepreneur What does a Legal Engineer do at Microsoft?According to the job posting, the Legal Engineer will act as a technical builder and operator within Microsoft's legal organisation rather than serving solely in a traditional legal advisory capacity. Reporting to the Director, AI Operations, the person hired will help drive the AI transformation of CELA CPS. The role involves working directly with engineering teams while also collaborating closely with attorneys and paralegals to develop systems around their day-to-day needs. The position is expected to involve building practical AI capabilities and helping establish how Microsoft's legal teams adopt and use the technology. Role to track AI adoption and performanceA key responsibility will be developing what Microsoft describes as an "intelligence layer" for CELA CPS. The Legal Engineer will work with engineering teams to convert data from platforms and connected services into an ongoing view of AI adoption, operational throughput, system health and emerging trends. The objective is to ensure that leadership can access answers about the performance and adoption of AI systems through an established data system rather than relying on ad hoc analysis. Over time, the role will also influence which data CPS uses to build its systems. Microsoft said the insights generated through this work will help guide future investment decisions across the organisation. Microsoft seeks experienced legal professionalThe role requires a Juris Doctor degree or an international equivalent, along with at least six years of experience as a practising attorney or equivalent experience. Applicants must also hold an active licence to practise law in a jurisdiction and be capable of meeting admission requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. Microsoft said the position is intended for someone comfortable operating at the intersection of legal work, engineering and AI, with scope to help shape the model while the function is still developing. Also Read: Salary for Legal Engineer roleFor positions based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the New York City metropolitan area, Microsoft has listed a base salary range of USD $185,900 to $278,900 per year. The role is part of Microsoft's broader effort to apply AI across its operations while supporting its stated mission of empowering individuals and organisations to achieve more.

Microsoft to Hire Legal Engineer to Build AI Agents with Pay Up to $279K

Microsoft has opened a Principal Legal Engineer position that combines legal practice, software delivery, and artificial intelligence. The hire will help commercial lawyers adopt AI tools across daily work. Microsoft wants an attorney who can build working systems, not only provide legal advice. The position sits within Microsoft's Corporate, External and Legal Affairs organization, known as CELA. Its Customer & Partner Solutions group supports the company's commercial business and thousands of customer and partner interactions. Microsoft says the role will help drive internal across its commercial legal operations. The posting lists Redmond, Washington, among several locations and requires the successful candidate to work onsite four days each week.