Principal Hardware Systems Engineer - Storage
$142.8k - $304.2k/yr
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Austin, TX, USA+3 moreMore locations: Redmond, WA, USA | Hillsboro, OR, USA | Mountain View, CA, USA
In Person
Hardware EngineeringHardware Validation & Testing
Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship
About the job
Requirements
- A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field and 7+ years of technical engineering experience, or a Bachelor's degree in one of those fields and 8+ years of technical engineering experience, or equivalent experience.
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
- Knowledge of server system and storage architecture.
- Familiarity with networking, power, rack management, and remote access environments.
- Experience integrating and validating hardware components and/or systems.
- Ability to develop scripts in PowerShell, Python, or Perl and routines for debugging, automating data collection, and data reduction.
- Ability to collaborate across teams, internal divisions, and industry partners, including OEMs and ODMs, while providing technical leadership in product development.
- Experience with hardware system validation, including planning, documentation, development, execution, and debugging.
- Knowledge of system memory architecture and validation.
- Experience integrating hardware components, including storage, at server system level.
Responsibilities
- Influence the architecture of scalable qualification frameworks, validation methodologies, automation infrastructure, and deployment-readiness processes for cloud-scale environments.
- Establish qualification coverage, reliability requirements, usage models, telemetry strategy, and health-monitoring frameworks to ensure production readiness at hyperscale.
- Drive resolution of complex storage and memory issues affecting Azure platform availability, performance, and reliability.
- Lead cross-functional investigations involving hardware, firmware, operating systems, drivers, and cloud services to identify root causes and define corrective actions.
- Represent the team with OEMs, ODMs, silicon providers, and storage and memory ecosystem partners, assisting with issue debugging as necessary.
- Champion engineering excellence through data-driven decision-making, technical reviews, risk management, and continuous improvement of qualification processes.
- Guide team members as needed and adapt to changing and competing demands.
Desired Qualifications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage leadership audiences.
- Knowledge of server system and storage architecture.
- Familiarity with networking, power, rack management, and remote access environments.
- Experience integrating and validating hardware components and/or systems.
- Familiarity with PowerShell, Python, or Perl scripting and developing automation routines for debugging and data collection and reduction.
- Ability to collaborate across teams, internal organizations, and industry partners, including OEMs and ODMs, while providing technical leadership in product development.
- A Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years of technical engineering experience, or a Master's degree in one of those fields and 8+ years of experience, or a Bachelor's degree in one of those fields and 12+ years of experience, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of experience in hardware system validation, including planning, documentation, development, execution, and debugging.
- Knowledge of system memory architecture and validation.
- 8+ years of experience in hardware validation, including planning, documentation, development, execution, and debugging.
- 5+ years of experience integrating hardware components, including storage, at server system level.
About the company
Microsoft builds workplace software, operating systems and cloud infrastructure for consumers, businesses and government agencies, from small organizations to global enterprises. Microsoft 365 combines Word and Excel with Teams communication and Copilot AI features, while Windows runs PCs and Surface supplies the company's own computers. Azure rents computing capacity, storage and databases to build and run web applications. Microsoft also sells Xbox consoles and games, collecting revenue through software licenses, subscriptions, usage charges and product sales. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Redmond, Washington
Founded
1975
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- US corporate staff receive education support: eligible, approved graduate coursework qualifies for up to $10,000 annually.
- Cloud demand expands: July 2026 results showed Azure and other cloud services revenue grew 43% year-over-year in fiscal Q4.
- Investment has an earnings cushion: July 2026 results reported $155.2 billion consolidated operating profit for fiscal 2026.
What critics are saying
- Performance reviews include security: every Microsoft employee must discuss their security contribution with their manager.
- Office flexibility depends on the role: Microsoft's postings specify requirements ranging from fully remote to fully on-site.
- Cloud capacity faces local limits: Microsoft describes power-grid delays and water constraints affecting US datacenter expansion.
What makes Microsoft unique
- Hybrid customers stay within reach: Azure Arc manages servers across customer datacenters and competing clouds.
- Developer reach extends beyond Azure: Microsoft's GitHub hosts code collaboration alongside AI coding tools.
- Professional data widens its business: Microsoft owns LinkedIn's recruiting, advertising and workplace-learning network.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Company Match
- Professional Development Budget
- Conference Attendance Budget
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Options