Windows Mixed Reality

On Windows Mixed Reality, I worked as a Program Manager II.

What is Windows Mixed Reality?

Windows Mixed Reality is a virtual reality platform developed by Microsoft that was launched in 2017 and is included as part of the Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC operating systems. Windows Mixed Reality enables Windows users to use virtual reality and virtual passthrough experiences via supported 3rd-party headsets that connect directly to a user’s Windows-based PC. Windows Mixed Reality-supported headsets, available from HP, Samsung, Dell, Acer, Asus, Lenovo, and more, are currently compatible with XR software obtained through the Microsoft Store app, or the Steam storefront.

Key Features of Windows Mixed Reality:

  • Full Windows-Based Virtual Reality Experience & Feature Suite

  • Dedicated ‘Mixed Reality Portal‘ Desktop App

  • Supported Motion Controllers & Inside-Out Motion Tracking

  • Compatibility with Windows-Based Apps & Tools (I.e., Edge Browser, Inbox Apps, etc.)

  • Extensive Compatibility with SteamVR Content Catalogue

My work as Program Manager II on Windows Mixed Reality

  • End-to-end business delivery for Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality VR platform, inclusive of overall project management and product roadmap planning, generating over 1M+ lifetime VR device activations for Microsoft’s Mixed Reality division.

  • Collaboration with senior Mixed Reality leaders to define the vision for Windows Mixed Reality moving forward.

  • Directly managed production and release schedules for iterative feature and platform updates, manifesting in a reliable monthly release servicing pipeline and Windows-based update delivery system.

  • Drove cross-team collaborations between various strike team-style working groups I built in order to own supportability operations for various aspects of the Windows Mixed Reality stack and experience (I.e., SteamVR integration, platform documentation, Edge & WebXR support, etc.).

  • Oversaw all internal and external partner and developer engagements across the Microsoft Store and 3rd-party Steam storefront, with a focus on building meaningful value add to the Windows Mixed Reality platform.

  • Managed operations supporting retail customer interactions across various Windows Mixed Reality-focused social media endpoints, as well as direct face-to-face interactions when necessary.

  • Established and drove modern and robust QA testing processes to support Windows Mixed Reality, including defining a team-ratified platform quality bar, organizing pre-release feature testing operations, overseeing updates to backend automated testing systems, organizing group playtesting, and enabling voluntary selfhosting backed by reliable feedback and escalation loops.

  • Tracked the entirety of Microsoft Mixed Reality’s VR device library, spanning a wide matrix of hundreds of unique device types and accessories that required a complex network of databases and identifiers to properly keep track of everything as devices were handed off between interdependent feature teams.

  • Represented Microsoft’s Mixed Reality organization and Windows Mixed Reality platform at internal and external community events (I.e., Microsoft Hackathons, MIT Reality Hack, etc.).

Challenges as Program Manager II on Windows Mixed Reality

I joined Microsoft’s Mixed Reality division to work on the Windows Mixed Reality platform team in a Program Management role, with an initial focus on rebuilding QA supportability processes for the in-market platform. Over the course of my years in Microsoft’s Mixed Reality organization, I gained an increasingly larger role in driving operations supporting the Windows Mixed Reality platform until I was eventually driving the entire Windows Mixed Reality business end-to-end. As I continued to meet the demands of my expanding role in the business, I learned to become extremely resourceful and adapted to wearing a wide range of different hats in order to keep operations running efficiently. I became capable across management of production and release schedules, general project and roadmap planning, internal and external developer engagements across Steam and the Microsoft Store, managing customer interactions across various social media endpoints and direct face-to-face interactions, and many other required duties and responsibilities necessary for supporting a leading in-market virtual reality platform and working to define what the vision of that platform was going to be in the future.

Where to get Windows Mixed Reality

Windows Mixed Reality was released on Windows 10 in 2017 and on Windows 11 in 2021 (current availability may vary).

Windows Mixed Reality - Links & Media