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 achieve 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. Join the Strategic Planning and Architecture (SPARC) team within Microsoft’s Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure (AHSI) organization, the team behind Microsoft’s expanding Cloud Infrastructure and for powering Microsoft’s “Intelligent Cloud” mission. Microsoft delivers more than 200 online services to more than one billion individuals worldwide and AHSI is the team behind our expanding cloud infrastructure. We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's cloud businesses including Microsoft Azure, Bing, MSN, Office 365, OneDrive, Skype, Teams and Xbox Live.  At SPARC, we design and develop the hardware systems and technologies that provide strategic capabilities for Azure and Microsoft. We are seeking a **Principal Networking** **Architect** to lead the development and evaluation of innovative data center and AI supercomputer networking technologies. This role includes host and switch hardware/software architecture, NIC programming, telemetry, protocol development, and related innovations to deliver industry-leading capabilities for Azure’s global customers. It also involves architectural design and close collaboration with other Azure networking and system architects shaping current and future datacenter and AI solutions. **Responsibilities** + Develop models of varyingnetwork architectures and theircomponents to simulate end-to-end performance at scale. + Help drive thearchitecture of future SmartNICs, including the hardware/software interface. + Drive how SmartNICs interface with the server, the rack, and switches. + Partner with teams across Microsoft to prototype and implement transport solutions, ensuring seamless software-hardware integration. + Analyze performance bottlenecks, optimize resource utilization, and implement strategies to enhance system efficiency. + Contribute to the architecture of large-scale systems that enable cutting-edge AI workload performance and influence Azure’s AI infrastructure roadmap. + Perform software development in C++ and Python, ensuring high-quality, scalable code. + Conduct design and code reviews to uphold best practices and maintain codebase integrity. **Qualifications** **Required/Minimum Qualifications** + Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience + OR Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience + OR equivalent experience. + 5+ years of experience in computer systems, with a comprehensive understanding of system software (e.g., operating systems, drivers, firmware) and its interaction with hardware. + 5+ years of experience in architecting hardware and scalable software for high-performance data center networks. + 5+ years of experience in system architecture for infrastructure components (SmartNICs, switches), with demonstrated track record of success. **Other Requirements** + Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements is necessary for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check. **Preferred Qualifications** + Advanced degree, preferably in Computer Science or a related field, OR 10+ years of equivalent professional work experience in software development, with a demonstrated history of success in building scalable software or hardware for data center networks. + Proven experience in leading and managing complex projects, demonstrating effective ollaboration and problem-solving skills. + Intellectual curiosity and a passion for exploring and deploying innovative technologies to drive impactful solutions. + Solid problem-solving skills, analytical capabilities, and attention to detail. + High level synthesisand/or RTL development experience. + Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Hardware Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 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 $180,400 - $294,000 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 (https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay%20 ) Microsoft will accept applications for the role until February 4, 2025. \#SPARC #AHSI Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .