The Principal Hardware Engineer will serve as the Storage System Technical Lead for the Cloud Hardware and System Engineering (CHSE) team, focusing on the development of next-generation Azure storage hardware platforms. This role requires bridging architecture and execution while ensuring technical continuity across various phases of program development. The STL will lead cross-functional integration and maintain design quality, technical readiness, and program-level decisions. The position is critical as Azure expands to support data-intensive cloud and AI workloads, demanding high-quality system solutions.

• 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.
• Extensive experience designing or developing storage hardware platforms.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical decisions and storage-system validation strategies.
• Broad technical understanding across various engineering disciplines and industry standards.

• Provide end-to-end system technical leadership for Azure storage platforms during hardware development and validation.
• Drive timely program-level technical decisions across multiple domains including hardware, firmware, and operations.
• Establish the quality bar for system specifications and maintain traceability from requirements through validation.
• Identify integration gaps and assess new technologies across subsystems and lifecycle phases.
• Lead system design reviews with Microsoft engineering teams and confirm qualification and manufacturing test coverage.
• Lead cross-functional resolution of complex issues found during various stages of the hardware lifecycle.
• Partner with the Technical Program Manager and Product Owner to assess the technical impact of proposed changes.
• Collaborate across various teams to align subsystem decisions and deliver an integrated storage platform.

• 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.