Windows '7' Technical Evangelist: Are YOU The Person We're Looking For?
It's not a state secret that we're in the early stages of development for the next version of Windows (given the internal name of Windows '7'). The specifics of what comes next are always the subject of fevered and sometimes inaccurate speculation, but you can be sure that we're not resting on our laurels. Windows is one of the most complex and sophisticated pieces of software in existence, and since it's about the most widely-used piece of software on the planet, it's a pretty exciting project to be working on.
I've got a once-in-a-lifetime open position on my team that I'm currently trying to fill - a Technical Evangelist for the next Windows client release. In fact, the Technical Evangelist at this point in time. This is an extremely challenging, high-profile senior role, with tremendous reach and influence across the organization. Not only will you be the first to see what's coming down the pipeline, but you'll actually have an influence in setting the agenda for Windows development. This isn't just any software gig - it's one of those career-defining roles that puts you at the heart of the software revolution. In years to come, you'll be able to look back with pride and say, "I was part of that".
There's of course a high bar to entry: not many people have the breadth or depth of skills needed to be successful in this role. We're looking for someone who is an all-rounder; someone with personality and charisma, someone who is deeply technical, but also able to see the bigger picture and articulate the strategic value of a technology; someone who can play the roles of diplomat, ambassador, analyst, writer, developer, public speaker and visionary all at the same time; someone who displays a blend of curiosity, creativity, passion, optimism and persistence.
For obvious reasons, I'm not able to write anything about what's coming in Windows '7', but you'll hit the ground running from day one. This isn't a 9 to 5 job: it's more of a vocation - you'll work hard not because you've got someone breathing down your neck but because you're passionate about making a difference and you see the impact of your work.
If you're still struggling to grok what an evangelist actually does, I wrote up a few thoughts when I was advertising a previous opening. Although this was written as we were hiring a WPF/Silverlight evangelist, the generalities still apply.
If you're interested in finding out more about the Windows '7' role, check out the formal job description on the Microsoft Careers web site. You can submit a resume online, and/or reach me via the "email" link at the top of my blog.
Update: for the sake of clarity, I should highlight that solid Win32 and .NET development experience is required. You'll be focusing on Windows as a developer platform, which means understanding the APIs as well as the high-level functionality.
Comments
Anonymous
January 31, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
January 31, 2008
What is the usual salary as technical evangelist?Anonymous
January 31, 2008
Hi John, that's not really a question I can answer in sufficient detail to be helpful on a public blog, but there's plenty of scope dependent on experience and skills. It's a senior role, and we pay a competitive salary - the exact details are something that we work out with a successful candidate. For more information, check out the jobsblog on salary issues, here: http://blogs.msdn.com/jobsblog/search.aspx?q=salary&p=1 Best wishes, TimAnonymous
January 31, 2008
Please have them read this site as well so they know what people think of Vista so they don't make the same mistakes with Windows 7 http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/130626.aspAnonymous
January 31, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
January 31, 2008
Tim, Can the job be remote, or does the person HAVE to be in Redmond?Anonymous
February 01, 2008
Bummer, this is based in Redmond. What a cool role though.Anonymous
February 01, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
February 01, 2008
sounds like a great opportunity. Would love this, and Redmond. I submitted my resume - I know I could do this!Anonymous
February 01, 2008
Hi Tim, as i read the Job description it sounds to me more being a developer? At least i stumbled over .NET and struggling with Code. ;) The rest reads fine, senior is what i'm feeling if i think back handling DOS 1.0 and now Vista. Unfortunately - heading over to Redmond every day is a tough trip. Regards MichaelAnonymous
February 02, 2008
I am ready to take the challenge!Anonymous
February 03, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
February 05, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
February 05, 2008
It's really a fascinating post and role, but it's even more interesting to see the comments people are putting in - Brandon's is really insightful... some great points in there. I would agree that MS hasn't done a good job in really selling itself to the masses - Apple (read Steve J) is doing a better. In fact, Fake Steve is probably doing a better job! I summed up some thoughts on this in a post here (http://novusres.blogspot.com/2008/02/coming-soon-windows-7.html) so if anyone is bored enough, feel free to read it! I can't imagine how anyone would not be interested in a role like this - even if it meant moving to Redmond... in fact, I'd probably chop off one arm for a role like that so not only would I be brilliant at the job, I'd probably be the first 1-armed evangelist! RAnonymous
February 06, 2008
I agree with Brandon. I'd like to see MS consider someone without a development background and with some experience making sure that Windows 7 performs the way it should. Clearly Vista was released without much regard for what people really notice in an OS - performance. Sure the semi-transparent borders are interesting but after 5 years of development I would hope that an OS offers other gains. Hardware has advanced a great deal in the last 5 years, the OS should significantly outperform the old OS in every aspect on the new hardware as it should take advantage of the 64 bit path, it should take advantage of better hard drive caching, it should take advantage of the advanced functions of video cards - not require them just to perform almost as well as the previous OS on old equipment. Hopefully MS will reconsider this position and make it more for someone who really wants to improve the user experience and not someone who has to care about how to fix the issue. MS didn't listen to users last time - I informed MS about the sluggish performance immediately during my testing of Vista and they ignored it - claiming the fault wasn't with Vista.Anonymous
February 06, 2008
I'd like to second some of what Brandon has said. I would rather have MS spend more time listening to people who actually use MS products and actually champion fixing the things - passing it on to people who are more skilled technically than in interpersonal skills. I think MS has enough developers - just not anyone actually looking at what needs to be fixed.Anonymous
February 07, 2008
Oh, stop your belly aching about how vista is so much worse than XP. Look at how bad XP was until SP2. I know it has bugs, but hopefully MS will fix them in SP1Anonymous
February 11, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
February 14, 2008
Is the opportunity AGE biased? Is the opportunity NATIONALITY biased? Aussies usually have a wider encompassing focus of the end user (even as geeks) and we do get on with practically everyone.Anonymous
February 25, 2008
Yes, I am. I'm working for RedHat. Sorry, guys.Anonymous
March 01, 2008
I realize that many think the job of Evangelist should go to someone without a developers skill set. I disagree because the evangelist will have to work with and understand the product. This is a role that initially is best suited to a developer.