New

Principal Corporate Counsel, Export Controls & Sanctions

Microsoft
$132,200.00 - $232,800.00 / yr
United States, D.C., Washington
Aug 01, 2026
Overview Microsoft's Corporate,External, and LegalAffairs (CELA) Global Trade Legal team advances Microsoft's mission through international trade policies, strategies, and solutions that foster a culture of compliance, trust, and innovation across Microsoft with our partners and customers worldwide. The Export Controls and Sanctions team within Global Trade CELA focuses on advancingMicrosoft's commitment to compliance with export control andsanctionslawsand regulationsin the countries where Microsoftoperates.The team has an immediate opening for a highly motivatedPrincipal Corporate Counselto counsel and collaborate with business, engineering, tradecompliance, and CELA teams to build and continuously improve durable, risk-based export control and sanctions compliance programs and tools, including through the responsible use of AI.In this role, you willhelplead the advancement and implementation ofexport controlcompliance strategies and solutions, while also supporting the team'ssanctionsmatters andcontributing directly to Microsoft's broader trade compliance program. You willpartnerwith stakeholders acrossalllevels and disciplines of the organization toidentifyand resolve legal and business risks, advise on regulatory and compliance matters, and handle day-to-day project-related legal issues. To be successful, you will demonstratesound, principled,and consistent judgment in fast-paced,ambiguous environments; a thorough understanding ofexport control and sanctionslawsand regulations, including those issued and administered bythe U.S. Department ofCommerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS),the U.S. Department ofState's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC),theU.S.Department of theTreasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC),and comparable regulatory authorities in relevant jurisdictions; atrack record of cross-functionalcollaboration;acommitment to integrity; solution-driven creativity and a business-enabling mindset;andthe ability tobringclaritytocomplexlegal and business issues. Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Asemployeeswe 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. Responsibilities Serve as a trusted legal advisorto business, engineering, and trade compliance stakeholders, providing strategic counsel on international trade laws, with a particular focus on export control laws and regulations Counsel key stakeholders on a broad range of export control- and sanctions-related regulatory, commercial, and contracting matters Oversee export control and sanctions compliance and regulatory matters, including stakeholder escalations and government inquiries and disclosures Partner with cross-functional teams to develop, implement, and continuously improve export control and sanctions compliance programs Support the design and implementation of scalable compliance frameworks, operational processes, training, policies, and procedures that enable compliance-by-design Providepractical, strategic, andtimelyguidance aligned with businessobjectivesand regulatory requirements Drive risk reduction and operational excellence byidentifyingopportunities to simplify processes, improve decision-making, andleverageautomation Monitor and assess legal and regulatory developments, communicate business impacts to leadership, and support external advocacy for effective approaches to export control and sanctions policy Qualifications Required Qualifications (RQs) Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 4+ years experience as a practicing attorney OR equivalent experience. Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction Preferred Qualifications (PQs) Juris Doctor Degree or international equivalent degree AND 6+ years experience as a practicing attorney in the area of international trade, with an emphasis on U.S. export control laws and regulations, including at a law firm and/or in-house or U.S. government experience OR equivalent experience Experience advising multinational companies on international trade matters, with an emphasis on export control laws and regulations Knowledge of other international trade laws and regulations, including EU and UK export control laws and regulations and U.S., EU, and UK sanctions laws and regulations Experience counseling companies in technology industries, including cloud services, digital services, AI, consumer electronics, and telecommunications Experience in a combination of law firm, in-house, and U.S. government legal roles Ability to adapt to evolving business and regulatory priorities, exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations, and deliver practical, risk-informed solutions Track record of providing legal advice in consideration of business goals, risk tolerance, and stakeholder priorities Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams to drive consensus and achieve results Hands-on project management skills to efficiently manage multiple and varied mission-critical projects and meet deadlines Legal Counsel IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $132,200 - $232,800 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 $165,800 - $248,600 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.