Job Description

Overview

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.

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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.