Job Details
Posted date: Sep 03, 2025
Category: Software Engineering
Location: Redmond, WA
Estimated salary: $188,900
Range: $119,800 - $258,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Travel amount: 25.0%
Work location type: Up to 50% work from home
Role: Individual Contributor
Description
Are you passionate about shaping the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with state-of-the-art optical networking technologies? Do you dream of connecting countless Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Central Processing Units (CPUs) with high-speed optical links to create the next generation of computing power for every person and every organization around the world? Do you aspire to make the network that enables this new level of human civilization accessible, reliable, self-healing, and ubiquitous? If so, this role is the perfect fit for you.We are looking for a Senior Cloud Network Engineer - Azure Fiber and AI. In this position, you will have the opportunity to architect and deploy optical networking systems for AI, collaborate on global network strategy, guide the optical networking technology innovation, and develop auto control and management platforms to make the network accessible, reliable, and self-healing. This role offers the chance to accelerate your career growth in a booming area of technological innovation, gain deep expertise in optical networking tailored for AI applications, and master the skills needed for large-scale network automation. You’ll benefit from a flexible work environment where you can work from home partially and come into the office/lab as required. Join us in making a difference and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
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.
Optical Network Design for AI Systems: Collaborate with key stakeholders to ascertain customer requirements specific to optical networking for AI systems. Lead the design and development of specialized optical network components, focusing on optical direct-detection and coherent technologies, to meet both customer and technical requirements. Create comprehensive design documents that detail the architectural blueprint for optical solutions optimized for AI applications.Testing and Validation: Conduct rigorous testing and validation of optical systems and components. Utilize automation tools to establish test cases, and identify gaps in test coverage, ensuring the transceivers' high-performance compatibility with AI applications.Code Implementation and Optimization: Develop, optimize, debug, and refactor code tailored for the management and automation of optical networks, focusing on scalability and efficiency in AI-driven network environments.Project and Feature Leadership: Utilize your in-depth expertise in coherent and direct-detection optical technologies to steer project and release plans in coordination with project managers and stakeholders. Make sure these plans align with the overarching objectives of optical networking optimized for AI systems.Operational Readiness and Incident Management: Act as the Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) during on-call rotations, efficiently responding to incidents with significant customer or business impact. Assess the level of impact, troubleshoot issues, and deploy targeted fixes to resolve root causes. Coordinate with multiple teams, from product owners to engineers, to facilitate timely incident resolution. Implement automation strategies to prevent recurrence of issues. Escalate complex or ambiguous problems as needed, and contribute to postmortem reviews, sharing insights on incidents and their resolutionsTelemetry and Data Analysis for Optical Networks: Monitor network telemetry designed specifically for AI-optimized optical networks. Leverage data analytics to detect patterns, errors, and unexpected issues, using these insights to make informed decisions on product and service improvementsContinuous Improvement and Trend Adaptation: Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in optical networking and AI. Seek out new knowledge and techniques that can improve the availability, reliability, efficiency, and scalability of AI-optimized optical networks, adapting new solutions and best practices accordingly.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications:Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 3+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automation OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 4+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automation OR equivalent experience.3+ years of experience lab testing and bringing designs to productionOther Requirements:
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications:
Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 3+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automationOR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 6+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automationOR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 8+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automationOR equivalent experience.1+ year(s) experience delivering network designs into production and experience with live site accountability for a network.Cloud Network Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $158,400 - $258,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 12, 2025.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.
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