The Principal Firmware Architect role at Microsoft involves leading the firmware architecture for Azure's custom silicon, including Cobalt and MAIA. This position requires collaboration with silicon and board design teams to define firmware requirements that align with Azure features. The architect will influence design decisions and ensure that firmware supports secure, scalable, and high-performance cloud services. This role is ideal for an experienced firmware architect with a strong background in hardware and firmware integration.

• 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.
• Define and maintain firmware subsystem interfaces and design principles.
• Partner with silicon architects, board engineers, and firmware developers.
• 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 reliability and performance.
• Influence design tradeoffs early in the product cycle.
• Support validation planning by defining expected firmware behavior and acceptance criteria.
• Diagnose complex architecture and integration issues across silicon, board, and firmware boundaries.

• 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.