The Principal AI System Architect role at Microsoft involves defining system architecture requirements for AI accelerator systems within the Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure organization. This position is part of the Systems Pathfinding and Architecture team, which focuses on innovating hardware designs to support Microsoft's cloud growth. The role requires collaboration across engineering and leadership teams to drive alignment and outcomes. The architect will also influence industry standards and vendor roadmaps while ensuring the architecture meets performance and cost objectives.

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 9+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in the same fields AND 11+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in the same fields AND 12+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in the same fields AND 15+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• Experience in large scale AI datacenter systems and their network.
• Demonstrated expertise in networking, reliability and serviceability, and datacenter architecture for large scale AI systems.

• Define AI rack- and cluster-scale architecture across various constraints including accelerator, host, network, memory, storage, power, cooling, and datacenter.
• Develop functional proof-of-concepts to evaluate and de-risk new capabilities.
• Write and own high-level product requirements and specifications.
• Drive alignment across cross-functional engineering and leadership teams.
• Use performance simulations and hardware models for what-if studies to evaluate architecture options.
• Participate in industry consortiums to shape standards and influence vendor roadmaps.

• 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.