Principal Hardware Architect - Optical Technologies
Microsoft | |
$163,000.00 - $296,400.00 / yr
| |
United States, Washington, Redmond | |
Mar 28, 2026 | |
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Overview
Do you want to be at the forefront of innovating the latest hardware designs to propel Microsoft's cloud growth? Are you seeking a unique career opportunity that combines both technical capabilities,cross teamcollaboration, with business insight and strategy? Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we 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. In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. Join the Strategic Planning and Architecture(SPARC) team within Microsoft's Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure (AHSI) organization and be a part of the organization behind Microsoft's expanding Cloud Infrastructure and for powering Microsoft's "Intelligent Cloud" mission.Microsoft delivers more than 200 online services to more than one billion individuals worldwide and AHSI is the team behind our expanding cloud infrastructure. We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's cloud businesses including Microsoft Azure, Bing, MSN, Office 365, OneDrive, Skype, Teams and Xbox Live. SPARC is hiring a Principal Hardware Architect - Optical Technologies with a focus on driving the adoption of emerging optical technologies into AI-centric datacenters. The candidate is expected to evaluate alternative interconnect technologies and identify innovative ways of applying them to new systems architectures. Technologies in scope include SerDes and die-to-die electrical interfaces, optical transceivers, optical integration into ASIC packages, optical circuit switches, lasers etc. The candidate may extend existing methodologies that account for System TCO, loss budget, power and reliability to include proposed optical components and drive Proof-of-Concept definitions to create line-of-sight to deployment. Responsibilities
Qualifications Required/minimum qualifications
Other Requirements:
Preferred Qualifications:
Optical Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $163,000 - $296,400 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 $220,800 - $331,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: 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. | |
$163,000.00 - $296,400.00 / yr
Mar 28, 2026