At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. The next decade of cloud computing and artificial intelligence will require breakthroughs not only in compute and software, but also in the physical infrastructure that connects datacenters, regions and customers worldwide. Azure Fiber is developing transformative hollow-core fiber technology that is already being deployed and operationalized across the Azure Network. This is groundbreaking technology that is redefining the performance, efficiency and scale of future Azure infrastructure.
Azure Fiber’s Hollow-core fiber has demonstrated compelling performance advantages in networks across all the early field deployments and currently carries production traffic across Azure regions. The next challenge is to establish the technologies, qualification frameworks and operating models required to deploy it at hyperscale. As Principal Cloud Network Engineer for HCF Deployability, you will define the end-to-end technical strategy for this transition, resolve complex and ambiguous engineering challenges spanning multiple organizations, and drive decisions that shape Azure’s network infrastructure for the coming decade. This role offers a rare opportunity to make hollow-core fiber a foundational technology for future Azure infrastructure.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end deployability strategy for hollow-core fiber, aligning research, engineering, qualification, deployment and operational priorities across Azure organizations and establishing measurable outcomes for hyperscale adoption.
- Define research roadmaps; identify technical barriers; establish qualification methodologies;
- Partner with hollow-core fiber research and development teams to translate the requirements and capabilities of future fiber generations into deployability, qualification and operational requirements for Azure networks.
- Lead and influence internal and external research programs across themes such as, hollow-core fiber deployment, advanced jointing technologies, automated splicing, OTDR and reflectometry innovation, fault localization, network operations, repair methods, qualification and reliability science.
- Build relationships with third-parties, universities, laboratories, suppliers and equipment vendors;
- Guide work on new techniques for splicing, field repair, monitoring and diagnostics, influencing standards and industry best practices;
- Effectively communicate recommendations to senior engineering leadership.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND technical experience in network design, development, and automation OR equivalent experience.
- Demonstrable experience in at least one of these for optical fibre; Splicing and jointing, Testing (OTDR and fault finding), Qualification and reliability, Deploying and installing fibre networks.
- Experience leading a research or development programme that moved a new optical fibre, cable, connectivity or test technology from the lab towards a product or field deployment, working with external partners such as universities, research labs or suppliers.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.
- These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:
- Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience delivering network designs into production and experience with live site accountability for a network.
- Experience developing quality management programs.
- Experience in converting research or prototype test methods into production equipment with appropriate throughput, reliability, serviceability, safety, data integrity and operational controls.
- Experience with one or more of the following: hollow-core fiber, optical transport systems, deployment engineering, advanced characterization methods, standards activities, supplier management, research commercialization.
- Experience in characterising optical fibres (hollow-core fibres would be a plus), fibre components or optical cable.
#azurecorejobs
Cloud Network Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 93,500.00 - £ 161,800.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
Skills Required
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Technical experience in network design, development, and automation
- Experience with optical fiber splicing and jointing, OTDR testing and fault finding, qualification and reliability, or deploying and installing fiber networks
- Experience leading a research or development program that moved new optical fiber, cable, connectivity, or test technology from laboratory development toward product or field deployment
- Experience working with external partners such as universities, research laboratories, or suppliers
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements
- Experience delivering network designs into production and maintaining live-site network accountability
- Experience developing quality management programs
- Experience converting research or prototype test methods into production equipment with suitable throughput, reliability, serviceability, safety, data integrity, and operational controls
- Experience with hollow-core fiber, optical transport systems, deployment engineering, advanced characterization methods, standards activities, supplier management, or research commercialization
- Experience characterizing optical fibers, fiber components, or optical cable
- Experience with hollow-core fibers
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
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