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 remaining challenge is deploying this technology at scale into the production infrastructure. High density cables for Metro, Long Haul and Submarine requirements will come with new challenges to the cable design that have never been seen before. As the Senior Cloud Network Engineer for HCF Cable Development, you will be part of a team owning significant technical problems, define engineering approaches and deliver cable technologies that improve the performance, reliability, scalability and cost effectiveness of Microsoft’s global network.
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
- Drive cable product development of new fiber-optic cable products for Metro, Long Haul and Submarine applications, translating network and fiber requirements into practical, manufacturable cable designs.
- Develop and evaluate cable architectures, materials and designs against optical, mechanical, environmental, reliability, deployment, manufacturability, supply-chain and cost requirements. Identify technical trade-offs, quantify risks and recommend solutions that meet end-to-end Azure network needs.
- Lead prototype builds, engineering trials and qualification activities. Define test plans and acceptance criteria, analyze results and drive design improvements through to qualification. Work closely with cable manufacturers and suppliers to transition new designs from engineering development into repeatable, production-ready products.
- Independently investigate and resolve complex cable design, manufacturing, qualification and deployment issues using engineering analysis, testing and structured root-cause analysis.
- Ensure cable products are suitable for real-world Azure deployments, considering installation methods, duct infrastructure, handling, jointing, environmental conditions and operational requirements.
- Set technical direction with cable manufacturers and technology partners, evaluate supplier designs and manufacturing capabilities, make evidence-based technical recommendations, and influence partner roadmaps and investment decisions to resolve issues and meet Azure requirements.
- Develop and maintain engineering specifications, product requirements, qualification plans, design documentation and technical reports, working across fiber development, optical engineering, network architecture, deployment, operations and supply chain teams to ensure cable solutions meet end-to-end network requirements.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND technical experience in network design and development OR equivalent experience
- Experience developing and qualifying fibre-optic cables, telecommunications infrastructure or comparable physical network products, including ownership of complex technical work across design, manufacturing, product lifecycle management and deployment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience delivering network designs into production and experience with live site accountability for a network.
- Experience of managing manufacturing partners,
- Experience working with vendors or optical suppliers on multi-year roadmaps.
- Evidence of technical leadership at senior individual-contributor level: creating clarity in ambiguous problems, setting technical direction, influencing stakeholders, reviewing designs and mentoring other engineers.
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.
#azurecorejobs
Cloud Network Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 74,700.00 - £ 122,600.00 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, plus technical experience in network design and development, or equivalent experience.
- Experience developing and qualifying fiber-optic cables, telecommunications infrastructure, or comparable physical network products across design, manufacturing, product lifecycle management, and deployment.
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and government security screening requirements.
- Experience delivering network designs into production and maintaining live-site network accountability.
- Experience managing manufacturing partners.
- Experience working with vendors or optical suppliers on multi-year roadmaps.
- Senior individual-contributor technical leadership, including setting technical direction, influencing stakeholders, reviewing designs, and mentoring engineers.
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.

.png)






