Cloud Ops and Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers Microsoft’s cloud services. The team is responsible for designing, building and operating our unified global datacenters; managing the demand planning and capacity utilization of our unified infrastructure; and for operating the physical infrastructure (including supply chain, hardware, power, security, and workflow teams). We focus on smart growth with an emphasis on automation, data driven engineering, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft’s over 200 online businesses including Azure, Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Skype, and OneDrive. Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our portfolio is built and managed by a team of subject matter experts working 24x7x365 to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide.
The Cloud Interconnection and Acquisitions team is responsible for acquisition of Fiber, Edge, Egress and Peering solutions supporting all of Microsoft’s online services infrastructure. We work with the various engineering, capacity and long-range planning teams on a collaborative basis to ensure the Microsoft network has the highest quality and availability globally.
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
- Contribute to the growth and evolution of the global network infrastructure that powers Microsoft's cloud and online services.
- Lead strategic initiatives supporting cloud network infrastructure across metro, long-haul, subsea, and colocation environments.
- Drive commercial and contractual negotiations with service providers delivering wavelength, dark fiber, subsea, and colocation solutions across terrestrial, aerial, and undersea networks.
- Support regional colocation strategies to enhance network resiliency, diversity, scalability, and service availability.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to identify, prioritize, and execute initiatives that support network expansion, efficiency, and cost optimization objectives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on regional market dynamics and network topology, helping evaluate route options and commercial opportunities that align with business and technical requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with industry partners, service providers, and key stakeholders to identify innovative solutions and strategic opportunities.
- Communicate project status, risks, milestones, and outcomes effectively to a broad range of audiences.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, deployment, operations, finance, legal, procurement, and business teams to deliver successful network infrastructure programs.
- Evaluate and develop strategic partnerships that support Microsoft's long-term connectivity, capacity, and growth objectives.
- Ensure contracts and supplier relationships align with organizational standards, compliance requirements, service level expectations, and risk management practices.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 3+ years experience in procurement, supply chain, sourcing, engineering, operations, or relevant sales-related roles OR Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 4+ years experience in procurement, supply chain, sourcing, engineering, operations, or relevant sales-related roles OR equivalent experience.
- 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
- 5 + years of expertise in Data Center infrastructure, including Data Center Operations, Inside Plant and Outside Plant design and management, large-scale fiber deployment, and diverse terrestrial network routing strategies.
- Understanding of key interconnection ecosystems, carrier hotels, internet exchange facilities, and strategic connectivity hubs within relevant regions.
- Proven ability to define, monitor, and leverage operational, financial, supplier, and service performance metrics to drive business outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Experience navigating regional regulatory, permitting, and telecommunications compliance requirements across multiple markets and jurisdictions.
- Proven experience leading strategic negotiations and developing commercial partnerships with technology, telecommunications, data center, cloud, or infrastructure service providers.
- Extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements, including Master Service Agreements, network services agreements, colocation contracts, dark fiber agreements, and strategic supplier relationships.
- Deep understanding of domestic and global carrier networks, telecommunications markets, and connectivity ecosystems.
- Working knowledge of optical networking technologies, including fiber optics, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), and large-scale network infrastructure solutions.
- Demonstrated success managing complex workflows, programs, and cross-functional initiatives while balancing competing priorities and stakeholder needs.
#COIcareers
Sourcing Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $160,200 - $261,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
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
- Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 3+ years experience in procurement, supply chain, sourcing, engineering, operations, or relevant sales-related roles OR Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Materials Science, or related field AND 4+ years experience in procurement, supply chain, sourcing, engineering, operations, or relevant sales-related roles OR equivalent experience.
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
- 5+ years expertise in Data Center infrastructure, including Data Center Operations, Inside Plant and Outside Plant design and management, large-scale fiber deployment, and diverse terrestrial network routing strategies.
- Understanding of interconnection ecosystems, carrier hotels, internet exchange facilities, and strategic connectivity hubs.
- Proven ability to define, monitor, and leverage operational, financial, supplier, and service performance metrics.
- Experience navigating regional regulatory, permitting, and telecommunications compliance requirements across multiple markets.
- Proven experience leading strategic negotiations and developing commercial partnerships with technology, telecommunications, data center, cloud, or infrastructure service providers.
- Extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements including MSAs, network services agreements, colocation contracts, and dark fiber agreements.
- Deep understanding of domestic and global carrier networks, telecommunications markets, and connectivity ecosystems.
- Working knowledge of optical networking technologies, including fiber optics and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM).
- Demonstrated success managing complex workflows, programs, and cross-functional initiatives while balancing competing priorities.
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.
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.
