As a Principal Cloud Network Engineer at Microsoft, you will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Azure's global network. This position involves working across optical, packet, and control layers to design a resilient and scalable network architecture. You will lead efforts in hardware disaggregation, automation, and robotics to enhance network operations. The role requires collaboration with various teams and external partners to drive innovation and ensure the network's reliability and efficiency.

• Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 3+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automation.
• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 4+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automation.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 6+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automation.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Go, C++ or Rust.

• Own significant parts of the multi-year architecture for Azure's global network across the optical, packet and control layers.
• Help move the network from vendor-integrated systems to open, interchangeable building blocks.
• Drive how optical circuit switching, optical protection switching, coherent transport and hollow core fiber become active parts of the network design.
• Find where automation and robotics can make the physical network faster, safer and more consistent to build and repair.
• Prove designs before anything physical moves using network simulation, digital twins and lab automation.
• Apply AI and agents to engineering processes across design, qualification, deployment and operations.
• Take ideas from paper to lab to pilot to fleet, ensuring successful deployment at global scale.
• Lead across Azure engineering, hardware, supply chain, datacenter operations, Microsoft Research and external partners.

• 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.