Brett Ostrum is a seasoned technology executive with over 27 years at Microsoft, currently serving as Corporate Vice President of Surface Devices. His leadership has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of Microsoft’s hardware portfolio, driving innovation across Surface and Xbox devices while overseeing product development, program management, and engineering disciplines.
As the Corporate Vice President of Surface, Ostrum is responsible for the end-to-end development of Microsoft’s Surface portfolio, ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software to deliver premium computing experiences. Under his leadership, Microsoft’s Surface division continues to push the boundaries of design, performance, and user experience, solidifying its position as a leader in the premium PC market. His strategic oversight extends across product lifecycle management, quality assurance, and profitability, ensuring that Surface devices meet the highest standards of excellence.
Before his current role, Ostrum served as Corporate Vice President of Surface & Xbox Device Development, where he led multi-disciplinary teams responsible for advancing Microsoft’s hardware ecosystem. His leadership encompassed electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, as well as cutting-edge cross-product technologies such as camera systems, audio engineering, display advancements, RF integration, power supply units, batteries, and input technologies like pen and touch. His ability to align diverse engineering disciplines under a unified vision has been instrumental in Microsoft’s ability to deliver world-class consumer and enterprise hardware solutions.
Throughout his tenure, Ostrum has held numerous leadership positions, each contributing to the strategic growth of Microsoft’s hardware division. From leading the Surface device roadmap as Corporate Vice President of Surface Devices to managing Surface engineering teams as General Manager of Development, his expertise spans the entire product lifecycle—from concept to market. His earlier roles included spearheading Microsoft’s PC hardware business, overseeing mice, keyboards, and webcams, and pioneering the company’s first in-house optical tracking engine for mice, a technological breakthrough that set new industry standards.
Ostrum’s career began at Fluke Corporation, where he honed his skills as an electrical engineer before joining Microsoft in 1997. His technical acumen, combined with a keen business sense, has made him a driving force in Microsoft’s hardware success. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, a foundation that has fueled his passion for innovation and product excellence.
A respected leader in the technology sector, Brett Ostrum continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in personal computing, gaming, and device engineering. His ability to lead high-performance teams, execute complex product roadmaps, and deliver industry-defining hardware solutions underscores his impact on Microsoft’s ongoing success in the global technology landscape.
Character
Brett Ostrum is a dedicated and results-driven leader who demonstrates unwavering commitment to excellence, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability within Microsoft’s hardware teams.
Knowledge
With a deep technical background in electrical engineering and decades of experience in product development, Brett Ostrum possesses extensive expertise in hardware engineering, program management, and cross-functional device integration.
Strategic
Brett Ostrum has consistently shaped Microsoft’s hardware vision by driving product roadmaps, overseeing end-to-end development, and aligning engineering advancements with business objectives to strengthen the company’s market position.
Communication
Brett Ostrum excels in cross-functional collaboration, effectively articulating complex technological concepts to stakeholders while uniting diverse teams under a shared vision to deliver industry-leading hardware solutions.
