Principal Hardware Engineer

Microsoft Azure is building a high-performance and reliable public cloud, and we are seeking talented individuals who can navigate the full technology stack—from hardware to systems to applications—turning ideas into production systems rapidly. Join us as a Principal Hardware Engineer to create the world's fastest public cloud and make a difference to millions worldwide.

As a Principal Hardware Engineer on the Azure Boost Storage Acceleration Hardware team, you will be responsible for micro-architecture and hardware module design, timing closure, rigorous verification and testing of hardware systems, and deploying accelerated storage services. You will drive the next generation of accelerated storage through hardware-first protocols like Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe), optimizing design to enhance IO per second (IOPS), bandwidth, latency, and overhead. This role offers the unique opportunity for rapid hardware development, allowing concepts to reach production within months instead of years. Join us to shape the future of cloud storage in one of the world's truly hyperscale global clouds, with innovation opportunities spanning the entire computing stack.

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees, we embrace a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. We build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability each day to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive both at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Design, propose and oversee the analysis/evaluation of system-level/hardware architectures.
• Design and code RTL modules written in Verilog/SystemVerilog and targeting Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
• Simulate and perform hardware-based testing, debug, and verification of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) designs.
• Apply Agile development methodologies including code reviews, sprint planning, and frequent deployment.
• Handle a DevOps role with occasional on-call responsibilities for resolving customer issues in production.
• Embody our Culture and Values

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• 10+ years of technical engineering experience

  • OR Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience

     

    o OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years of technical engineering experience

    o OR Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years of technical engineering experience.

• 5+ years of experience implementing a digital design with a Hardware Description Language (e.g. System Verilog).
  
• 5+ years of experience verifying and validating Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) hardware designs.

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.

Additional / Preferred Qualifications: 

• 15+ years of digital hardware design experience.
  • OR Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 10+ years of technical engineering experience.
  • OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years of technical engineering experience.
  • OR Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years of technical engineering experience.
• Developing and deploying cloud applications for cloud hardware (NICs, GP