Microsoft, one of the world’s leading technology companies, is opening doors to the next generation of designers, innovators, and creative thinkers through its Product Design Internship Opportunities in Nairobi, Kenya. This highly competitive and rewarding internship is scheduled to begin in April/May 2026 and will run for 12 weeks. It is specifically crafted to immerse students into the world of design and creative problem-solving, while equipping them with real-world experience and the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects.
This program is not just an internship—it is an experience designed to inspire, challenge, and nurture young talent. Interns will become part of a vibrant global community of students and early-career professionals who work closely with experienced Microsoft teams. Through this, they will gain invaluable insights into product design, user research, customer engagement, and innovation at scale.
Microsoft believes that design goes beyond aesthetics; it is about creating experiences that delight users, simplify processes, and make technology more human-centered. By joining this internship, interns will have the chance to actively shape solutions that directly impact people and organizations. Whether it’s designing intuitive software experiences, contributing to design systems, or learning how to balance creativity with technical constraints, this role provides a platform to sharpen skills while making a meaningful contribution.
If you are passionate about design, curious about how user experiences can be transformed through technology, and eager to learn in a dynamic and collaborative environment, this internship could be your entry point into a career where creativity meets purpose.
Role Overview
The Product Design Internship is a hybrid experience, where interns are expected to spend around three days a week in-office in Nairobi. This structure allows for a healthy balance between hands-on collaboration and focused independent work.
During the program, interns will:
- Work on real-world projects under the guidance of senior designers and cross-functional teams.
- Translate user insights into tangible design solutions.
- Explore design concepts that optimize the emotional and functional experience of products, software, or services.
- Contribute to Microsoft’s broader design ecosystem, ensuring consistent application of design principles and practices.
The internship is designed for individual contributors who are eager to learn and showcase their skills in a professional environment. It offers exposure to cutting-edge technology, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to align personal passions with meaningful work.
Detailed Job Description
As a Product Design Intern, you will play a key role in shaping user-centered experiences. This role blends creativity, empathy, and technical awareness to ensure that solutions meet user needs while aligning with Microsoft’s business and technical objectives. Below is a breakdown of the primary responsibilities and expectations for this role:
1. Defining Product Needs Through User Insights
- Engage in user research to understand customer needs, motivations, and pain points.
- Conduct activities such as reviewing customer publications, studying market trends, and participating in conversations with customers and peers.
- Translate insights from research into actionable design opportunities, ensuring that proposed solutions directly address real-world problems.
2. Ideating and Creating Solutions
- Use design thinking approaches to brainstorm and propose multiple solutions.
- Explore diverse design directions, balancing creativity with practical feasibility.
- Focus on creating solutions that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant for users.
3. Developing Design Concepts and Specifications
- Craft detailed design specifications that guide the creation of products, features, or services.
- Work on visual and interaction designs that span hardware, software, or hybrid experiences.
- Optimize the end-to-end user experience, considering accessibility, usability, and user satisfaction.
4. Producing Visual and Interaction Designs
- Move ideas from concept to polished visual designs that are ready for delivery and implementation.
- Support interaction design efforts for software interfaces, ensuring seamless and intuitive user flows.
- Contribute to hardware product designs where applicable, applying design knowledge to physical form factors.
5. Supporting and Expanding Microsoft’s Design System
- Collaborate on improving Microsoft’s design systems to maintain consistency across products.
- Contribute to reusable patterns, guidelines, and resources that enhance design efficiency.
- Advocate for consistent adoption of the design system within teams.
6. Acting as the Voice of the Customer (VOC)
- Represent the customer’s perspective during discussions and decision-making processes.
- Share feedback on technical capabilities, potential blockers, and design opportunities with engineering and product teams.
- Promote user advocacy, ensuring that customer needs remain central to all design outcomes.
7. Cross-functional Collaboration
- Work with peers across engineering, product management, and business teams.
- Identify and engage with relevant partners who can contribute to achieving customer success.
- Participate in joint planning activities, aligning design contributions with shared business goals.
8. Professional Growth and Learning
- Take advantage of mentorship and training opportunities provided by Microsoft.
- Leverage role-based resources to strengthen both design expertise and technical acumen.
- Actively seek feedback, reflect on progress, and continuously improve your design skills.
Responsibilities Breakdown
To provide clarity, here’s a closer look at specific activities and tasks you may be expected to handle during your internship:
- Customer Research and Insights
- Review relevant publications and customer reports to understand industry trends.
- Speak with stakeholders to gather first-hand insights into customer strategies and expectations.
- Document findings and communicate them effectively to internal teams.
- Partner and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build early relationships with customer team members and relevant Microsoft partners.
- Collaborate on initiatives that support shared goals and contribute to customer success.
- Internal Coordination
- Work closely with engineering and product teams to align design with technical possibilities.
- Coordinate across functions to deliver consistent and unified user experiences.
- Feedback and Continuous Improvement
- Share customer feedback on product limitations or design challenges with internal teams.
- Contribute to conversations that drive improvements in product usability and user satisfaction.
- Personal Development
- Participate in workshops, design critiques, and mentorship sessions.
- Build expertise in customer success, design practices, and Microsoft technologies.
Internship Benefits
Interns at Microsoft receive access to a wide range of benefits that enhance both their professional and personal experiences. These include:
- Industry-leading healthcare to support your well-being.
- Educational resources to help you continue learning and refining your skills.
- Discounts on Microsoft products and services, giving you access to the tools you help design.
- Savings and investment opportunities for financial growth.
- Maternity and paternity leave, reflecting Microsoft’s commitment to family support.
- Generous time away policies that ensure work-life balance.
- Giving programs to support your charitable and community interests.
- Networking and connection opportunities, allowing you to engage with professionals across Microsoft’s global network.
Microsoft’s Work Culture
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Interns are embraced as part of this mission, contributing directly to solutions that make a difference.
The company’s culture is built around three core values:
- Respect – valuing diverse perspectives and treating all individuals with dignity.
- Integrity – acting with honesty and transparency in all interactions.
- Accountability – taking responsibility for outcomes and learning from challenges.
Interns will find themselves in an inclusive environment where creativity, curiosity, and collaboration are celebrated. Whether it’s through team activities, mentorship relationships, or knowledge-sharing sessions, Microsoft ensures that every intern feels supported and inspired.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without discrimination based on age, ancestry, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender, identity, marital status, medical condition, nationality, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.
If you require accommodation due to a disability during the application process, Microsoft provides resources and guidance to support your participation.
Why Apply?
This internship is more than a stepping stone—it is a gateway to shaping the future of design in technology. By joining, you will:
- Gain hands-on experience working with world-class teams.
- Develop a portfolio of impactful projects.
- Build a network of peers and mentors from across the globe.
- Contribute to solutions that empower people and organizations.
- Position yourself for future career opportunities at Microsoft or beyond.
For aspiring designers, this opportunity provides the rare combination of global exposure, practical learning, and meaningful impact. It is your chance to bring your creative vision to life while learning from some of the best in the industry.
Closing
The Product Design Internship Opportunities in Nairobi offers more than just work experience; it is an invitation to step into a world where design, technology, and human experience intersect. With real-world projects, mentorship, and a culture of innovation, this internship prepares you not only for your first job but for a successful career in design and beyond.
If you’re ready to take on this exciting journey, challenge yourself, and design with purpose, then this is your chance to make an impact.
