Principal Architect

Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a Principal Architect on the Systems Architecture & Engineering team within the CTO Office of CO+I, you will be responsible for responding to future market and business requirements to designing new data center architectures and product solutions that enable new capabilities and improve the performance, efficiency, and reliability of Microsoft's data centers. You will work with a cross-functional team of engineers, researchers, and business partners to identify customer needs, generate innovative ideas, and deliver high-quality solutions. You will also collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to ensure alignment with Microsoft's standards and specifications.

Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our Datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

• This role is located either in one or all hub locations - Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Redmond, WA, San Antonio, TX or Phoenix, AZ. 
• Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates must ​relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location. 
• This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, up to 100%. 

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. 

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for the design team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal Partners & stakeholders, understanding their requirements and objectives to deliver compelling and impactful design solutions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for major programs and projects, ensuring clear communication and satisfaction.
• Oversee innovative design projects from pre-programming through concept/schematic design, including technical analysis, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and business case.
• Maintain awareness and understanding of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive insights. Incorporate innovative and impactful solutions that ensure technical and business roadmap alignment.
• Work closely in a technical leadership role with our cross-functional Systems Architecture Team of Datacenter Architects, Technical Program/Project Managers and Systems Engineers on developing new, innovative, scalable and comprehensive datacenter designs that align to Microsoft CO+I technical & business requirements and roadmaps.
• Lead all architectural aspects of certain, strategic, early datacenter project phase design developments including pre-programming/programming, conceptual design, schematic design and basis of design narrative documents.
• Clearly articulate design objectives, purpose, rationale, options and roadmaps for continuous improvement and maximum value propositions   
• Lead or co-lead Civil, Structural and Architectural Consultant design development workgroups to ensure adherence to the CO+I design principles and requirements.
• Collaborate with Partner teams, internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, fabricators, suppliers etc. to meet overall project objectives
• Apply a systematic approach to understanding the challenges, constraints and risks in the current plan of record and identify new design options that can enable opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Investigate and research technical issues to establish facts, discover and develop alternatives to help resolve complex design and engineering challenges with innovative and practical solutions.
• Be accountable for comprehensive technical and comparative analysi