Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job ID: 200049443Posted: 2026-08-18Location: United States, California, Mountain ViewSalary: USD $119,800 - $234,700 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Hardware EngineeringDiscipline: Mechanical 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. Our Mechanical Engineering team is responsible for developing the server, rack, and infrastructure platforms that power Microsoft's global cloud and AI services. We partner closely with electrical, thermal, manufacturing, supply chain, and datacenter operations teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and scalable hardware solutions from concept through deployment. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will contribute to the design and deployment of future high density, liquid-cooled systems in Azure datacenters. #SCHIE ResponsibilitiesLead Mechanical Design: Take ownership of mechanical design projects from concept to completion, leading a team of engineers to develop innovative solutions for cloud-based hardware infrastructure Specification Development: Create interface control documents and product specifications to clearly communicate design intent Design and Prototyping: Design mechanical components, systems, and assemblies using CAD software and create prototypes for testing and validation at the rack, system, and component levels Performance Optimization: Conduct mechanical analysis, structural simulations, and tests to optimize mechanical system performance, reliability, cost, and thermal management, ensuring efficient operation and meeting industry standards Design Review and Documentation: Conduct design reviews, generate engineering documentation, develop test plans and reports, and ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards Collaboration and Leadership: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems, provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement Vendor Management: Collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to source components, lead design strategy, ensure robust performance prediction, review manufacturing processes, and ensure adherence to quality standards Sustainable Design: Evaluate and select mechanical design materials and design strategy with keen focus on sustainable materials with respect to their mechanical properties and re-use of common parts across generations Emerging Technologies: Stay abreast of the latest trends, advancements, and best practices in mechanical engineering, cloud infrastructure, and data center technologies, and propose innovative ideas to enhance our hardware offerings QualificationsRequired Qualifications: Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, or related fieldOR Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related technical engineering experienceOR Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related technical engineering experience OR 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.Preferred Qualifications: Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., PTC Creo,) understanding of mechanical design principles, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, manufacturing processes, and validation. Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, data center operations, and related technologies, such as server racks, power distribution, cooling systems, and cable management. Experience with liquid cooled AI or HPC systems. Experience with development of specifications, interface control documents, and managing design requirements. Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve mechanical design issues and optimize system performance. Mechanical Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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.