Principal Hardware Systems Engineer

Job ID: 200058984Posted: 2026-09-30Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: USD $142,800 - $274,800 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Hardware EngineeringDiscipline: Hardware EngineeringCompany: MicrosoftOverviewMicrosoft Silicon, Cloud Hardware, and Infrastructure Engineering (SCHIE) is the team behind Microsoft’s expanding Cloud Infrastructure and responsible for powering Microsoft’s “Intelligent Cloud” mission. SCHIE delivers the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's over 200 online businesses including Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Teams, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform globally with our server and data center infrastructure, security and compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability solutions. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide and we are looking for engineers to help achieve that mission. As a member of our Systems Engineering team, you will be responsible for System Validation for Azure's leading HW solutions by incorporating advanced technologies, datacenter use cases and by working across different engineering functions.  Responsibilities will include architecting and developing efficient test and debug frameworks for cutting edge technologies, building test and debug automation, partnering with leading technology providers to define test and debug strategies, driving unified and efficient test, validation and debug methodologies across product segments.  This is an opportunity to leverage and grow your existing hardware design/validation experience and provide innovative E2E hardware solutions to Microsoft Cloud.  Come join this exciting and growing Cobalt team through our monumental evolution of cloud hardware at Azure and Microsoft!    #SCHIE ResponsibilitiesDefine and Develop System validation architecture, test frameworks and test plans for complex HW solutions based on CPU/GPU applications to achieve holistic test coverage and efficient debugging.  Drive continuous improvement to achieve a unified and standard testing, validation and debug methodology – adopt automation, AI Capabilities to drive efficiency and enhance test coverage.   Work with ODMs, other system engineers, design teams and customers to develop validation execution plans for new technologies and MSFT IP features.  Hands on engineering work with test engineers, Debug system failures that may be seen in the fleet Drive defect triaging, debugging, and resolution for cross functional issues.  Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure systems meet significant quality, reliability, and service level requirements for a cloud environment  Developing quality criteria for different phases of programs – with metrics such as test coverage, bug discovery, test optimization, test automation etc.  Work with stakeholders on process improvement, data quality improvement and cross-boundary triaging.  Automate review process to improve data quality and scaling capability.  Mentor validation engineers in test plan creation, writing test cases to have holistic coverage  QualificationsRequired Qualifications: Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experienceOR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experienceOR equivalent experience.Other Requirements: Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screening: Microsoft Cloud Background Check. This position is required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations.  As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their U.S. permanent residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in evaluating hardware designs, HW/FW/OS interactions, platform config trade-offs, and E2E error flows is required.  Preferred 10+ years of hands-on experience in server hardware validation architecture, developing test infrastructure, writing test cases, automation and executing tests .Experience in debugging complex system level issues related to board hardware, thermal and Firmware components is required. Self-motivated individuals must be able to work collaboratively in a team environment and across internal divisions and industry (OEM, ODM), demonstrated technical leadership in driving successful product designs. 15+ years of relevant experience in server systems/platforms development and validation for enterprise or cloud market segments.Solid understanding of hardware, firmware, and OS interfaces and interdependencies, different CPU and GPU architecture and system design concepts  Technical communication skills (verbal and written) to interface with cross-functional technical leads within and/or outside of the organization. Deep understanding of OTD (Observability, Testability, and Debuggability). Familiar with different technology areas including but not limited to networking, power management, rack device management, remote device management Experienced in defining custom HW tools for either validation or debug. Advanced troubleshooting and debugging skills. Hands on experience in debug and measurement tools such as Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, PCIe analyzers.  Experience in test automation development Hardware Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: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.