The Principal AI Network Hardware Systems Engineer will lead the architecture, validation, optimization, and deployment of networking infrastructure for Microsoft's MAIA AI platform. This role is part of the Platform Systems Engineering team, focusing on delivering scalable networking solutions for large-scale AI training and inference. The engineer will work across various networking components and collaborate with multiple teams to influence architectural direction and technical strategy. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI networking infrastructure at Microsoft.

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in the same fields AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in network hardware development.
• 8+ years of experience in GPU-based system development.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience with high-speed interface architecture and development.

• Define and develop networking requirements for large-scale AI training and inference clusters.
• Collaborate with silicon, system software, firmware, hardware, and Azure infrastructure teams to deliver scalable networking solutions.
• Participate in architecture reviews and influence next-generation AI networking roadmaps.
• Lead design and validation of IP-based AI networking solutions spanning TCP/IP, UDP, routing, and traffic engineering.
• Analyze transport-layer behavior and performance characteristics across large-scale distributed AI workloads.
• Design, validate, and optimize RDMA-based networking solutions for AI clusters.
• Develop and execute networking validation strategies covering functionality, performance, and reliability.
• Lead end-to-end troubleshooting of networking issues across various layers.
• Build and improve network observability, diagnostics, telemetry, and monitoring solutions.

• 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.