The Principal Firmware Architect role at Microsoft involves leading the firmware architecture for custom silicon used in Azure. This position is part of the Silicon, Cloud Hardware, and Infrastructure Engineering team, which is crucial for supporting Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud mission. The architect will work closely with silicon and board design teams to define firmware requirements and ensure alignment with Azure features. This role requires a strong technical background in firmware and embedded systems, as well as the ability to influence design decisions across multiple engineering teams.

• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in the same fields AND 6+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in the same fields AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
• Strong coding experience in C, C++, Rust, or similar low-level programming languages.
• 10+ years of experience in firmware, embedded systems, or hardware platform architecture.
• Experience with Python or other scripting languages used for automation, validation, and tooling.

• Provide firmware requirements and architectural guidance to hardware teams.
• Create firmware architecture and requirements that align with Azure features and service needs.
• Define and maintain firmware subsystem interfaces and design principles for silicon programs.
• Partner with silicon architects and board engineers to ensure firmware requirements are feasible.
• Develop security requirements and threat models for firmware features.
• Drive architecture reviews and technical decisions for firmware capabilities.
• Establish requirements for firmware that supports Microsoft Azure custom silicon programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure firmware designs support operational excellence.
• Influence design tradeoffs early in the product cycle to reduce integration risk.
• Support validation planning by defining expected firmware behavior and acceptance criteria.

• Employees at Microsoft are often offered comprehensive, “world-class” benefits—including health and mental-wellness programs, competitive pay with bonuses and stock awards, and retirement/savings options. Time-off and flexibility are common, with generous vacation and holidays, parental and caregiver leave, and flexible work schedules, alongside learning support, employee resource groups, product discounts, and matching-gifts/volunteering programs. Specific benefits can vary by region.