Windows '7' Technical Evangelist: Are YOU The Person We're Looking For?

Link to job posting 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.