Principal Firmware Engineer

Job ID: 200028723Posted: 2026-09-18Location: 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: Firmware EngineeringCompany: MicrosoftOverviewAre you passionate about working on cutting edge new technology in security with a team that embodies the growth mindset? Are you hoping to join an organization which is built on a mission “To empower every person and organization on this planet to achieve more”? Then this is the role for you. The Azure Platforms security and confidentiality team is responsible for firmware development of server, silicon and rack infrastructure design with a focus on innovation in security technology to secure Azure infrastructure for Microsoft and their customers.We are looking for a passionate Principal Firmware Engineer with a background in security. ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities:You will be involved with all phases of product development, from microarchitecture design through firmware architecture and development.At the design phase, you will be part of a team- driving the architecture, design and development of the security sub-systems including firmware development of low-level hardware interfaces.You will be responsible for evaluating third party components security design to ensure they meet Azure’s requirements for platform security.QualificationsDoctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.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.Preferred Qualifications: 12+ years of professional experience designing and developing software solutions.C/C++, RUST programming skillsExperienced with security and embedded software/firmware development.Knowledge in encryption ciphers and security protocolsDebugging capabilities and demonstrated experience to resolve issues spanning multiple subsystems.Experience with platform initialization, Board support package porting, low level drivers for peripherals such as PCIe, I2C, eMMC, SPI, USB, UARTs as well as Memory Management, Scheduling, Interrupts and multi-threadingCoding skills, debugging and troubleshooting abilities.Experience with some or all the following: driver development, Linux driver initialization, peripherals such as PCIe, memory interfaces. OS primitives, memory management, scheduling, interrupts, threading.Experience with penetration testing Firmware 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.