The Principal Optical Engineer will be part of the Cloud Hardware Systems Engineering team at Microsoft, focusing on the architectural design and production roadmap for next-generation optical interconnects in hyperscale AI infrastructure. This role involves collaborating across various domains including silicon, systems, and networking to innovate and deploy optical technologies. The ideal candidate will leverage deep expertise in optical systems to influence platform-level decisions and drive the optical interconnect strategy for AI platforms. This position is critical for ensuring scalability, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in future AI systems.

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements.
• Knowledge and experience of Fiber Optics including related tools, devices, processes, design, operations, or manufacturing.
• Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years of technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years of technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.

• Serve as one of Microsoft's technical leaders in optics and photonics.
• Define and drive Microsoft's optical interconnect strategy for next-generation AI platforms.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and determine the optimal migration path across multiple platform generations.
• Lead architecture and product definition for rack-scale fiber management supporting AI clusters.
• Define bandwidth density, latency, reliability, power efficiency, serviceability, manufacturability, and cost targets.
• Lead development of rack-scale fiber management solutions including Fiber shuffles, Fiber connectors, and fiber cabling.
• Develop standards and best practices for large-scale deployment of optical infrastructure across AI datacenters.
• Drive supplier roadmaps to align with Microsoft's future platform requirements.
• Influence industry standards and ecosystem direction through joint development initiatives and technical forums.
• Drive architecture reviews and technical decision making across multiple organizations.
• Guide optical technologies through proof-of-concept, qualification, productization, manufacturing readiness, and fleet deployment.
• Support root-cause analysis and operational issue resolution for deployed systems.

• 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.