Principal Architect, Azure Management Solutions

Job ID: 200046339Posted: 2026-08-17Location: 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 passionate engineers to help achieve that mission. As Microsoft's cloud business continues to grow the ability to deploy new offerings and hardware infrastructure on time, in high volume with high quality and lowest cost is of paramount importance. To achieve this goal, the CHSE (Cloud Hardware Systems Engineering) team is instrumental in defining and delivering operational measures of success for hardware manufacturing, improving the planning process, quality, delivery, scale and sustainability related to Microsoft cloud hardware. We are looking for engineers with a dedicated passion for customer focused solutions, insight and industry knowledge to envision and implement future technical solutions that will manage and optimize the Cloud infrastructure. We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Architect, Azure Management Solutions to define the next generation of Azure management architecture across the full Microsoft cloud hardware portfolio. This leader will shape the strategy and architecture for node-level, rack-level, cluster-level and fleet-level management systems spanning Azure AI solutions, GP Compute, Storage, power, cooling and future infrastructure deployments. #SCHIE #CHSE #azurehwjobsResponsibilitiesThe successful candidate will drive the evolution of management architectures including BMCs, DC-SCM, Rack-SCM, rack management controllers, telemetry systems, diagnostics, firmware lifecycle management, security and attestation infrastructure, control-plane integration and fleet orchestration. They will work across hardware, firmware, software, datacenter operations and cloud platform organizations to create scalable, secure and interoperable management solutions capable of supporting future Azure platforms and multi-vendor ecosystems.  This role will help define how Microsoft operates the next generation of AI infrastructure, including multi-rack AI systems, accelerated computing platforms, and future autonomous datacenter environments. This is a rare opportunity to influence management architecture for the entire Microsoft cloud. The person in this role will help define how Microsoft manages the next decade of cloud infrastructure. The successful candidate will influence the future direction of cloud systems management and manageability architecture across the industry through engagement with hyperscale cloud providers, OEMs, ODMs, silicon partners, and standards organizations. Architects focus on requirements capture, technology insertion, concept and architecture proposals, cost/performance tradeoffs, prototype engineering, and architectural documentation for design/planning reviews. Once a program is approved from a conceptual level, Architects partner with the development teams to ensure a smooth transition to full product development. This role will define the future of Azure Management Solutions and requires deep expertise in architecture, technical strategy, ecosystem partnerships, and hyperscale cloud operations: Define the long-term architectural vision for Azure solution management spanning node, rack, cluster and fleet-level management domains across AI infrastructure, Compute, and Storage. Lead development of management architectures across server platforms, accelerated AI systems, storage systems, networking equipment, power systems, cooling infrastructure and heterogeneous vendor platforms. Partner with hardware, firmware, software, datacenter operations and cloud platform teams to establish common management frameworks, architecture principles and requirements across Microsoft's cloud infrastructure portfolio. Drive architectural strategy for management processors and programmable devices, DC-SCM (BMCs), Rack-SCM, Rack Management Controllers, management functions for telemetry and diagnostics, firmware lifecycle management, security and attestation systems, and fleet/control-plane and fabric integration. Develop management abstractions and interoperability models that enable consistent deployment, monitoring, diagnostics, update, recovery and operational behavior across diverse hardware platforms and suppliers. Shape the transition from device-level management toward rack, cluster and fleet-level orchestration models required for multi-rack AI infrastructure and next-generation cloud platforms. Influence external technology providers, OEMs, ODMs, silicon partners, standards organizations and industry consortia to drive alignment with Azure infrastructure requirements. Lead technical engagement with organizations such as OCP, DMTF, Redfish, OpenRMC and other industry bodies associated with infrastructure management standards. Evaluate emerging industry trends and define Microsoft's strategy for next-generation management architectures, including multi-rack AI infrastructure, clusters, disaggregated infrastructure, rack-scale systems, autonomous datacenter operations and future management control planes. Communicate architectural strategy, tradeoffs and roadmap decisions to executive leadership while building alignment across multiple engineering organizations. 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 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:Deep knowledge of hardware and firmware management technologies, including BMCs, system controllers, service processors, firmware lifecycle management, telemetry, diagnostics and security architecture. Experience defining architecture for one or more of the following: server management systems, data center infrastructure management, rack management systems, fleet management platforms or hyperscale cloud infrastructure.Demonstrated ability to influence strategy and drive technical alignment across multiple engineering organizations.Experience working with hyperscale cloud providers, major OEMs, infrastructure vendors or industry standards organizations.Experience with OCP, OpenRMC, Redfish, DMTF, OpenBMC or related management standards.Experience architecting multi-rack AI, accelerated computing, rack-scale infrastructure or hyperscale cloud deployments.Experience integrating heterogeneous vendor platforms into common management, operational and fleet orchestration frameworks.Understanding of cloud control planes, fleet orchestration systems, infrastructure automation, telemetry, diagnostics, firmware lifecycle management and datacenter operations.Experience collaborating with industry partners, standards bodies or technology ecosystems to influence future directions and standards.Demonstrated ability to create long-term technology strategy and translate architectural vision into executable roadmapsHardware 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.