Datacenter Electrical Engineer

Job ID: 200059628Posted: 2026-10-06Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: 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: Electrical EngineeringCompany: MicrosoftOverviewCloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the organization that builds, operates, and continuously evolves the infrastructure behind the Microsoft Cloud, powering services used by more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies. CO+I is responsible for the full datacenter lifecycle from global planning and site acquisition through design, construction, deployment, operations, and eventual decommissioning, spanning 400+ datacenters across more than 70 Azure regions, connected by over 600,000 kilometers of fiber. As the engine that enables Microsoft’s cloud-first mission, CO+I delivers reliable, trusted, secure, and sustainable cloud and AI infrastructure, ensuring capacity is available on time, every time, to meet customer growth and support Microsoft’s broader mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more.The Systems Engineering, Test, and Integration (SETI) team serves as Microsoft's technical proving ground for next-generation datacenter infrastructure. As a Datacenter Electrical Engineer in SETI, you will evaluate emerging power and electrical infrastructure technologies, determine whether they can meet Microsoft's requirements for reliability, scalability, and operational readiness, and help mature promising concepts into deployment-ready solutions. Projects may include medium-voltage architectures, HVDC distribution, power electronics, energy storage systems, advanced protection schemes, grid-interactive technologies, and other first-of-a-kind infrastructure innovations.Success in this role requires more than technical analysis. You will be expected to define ambiguous problems, design and execute validation strategies, identify technical and operational risks, work directly with suppliers and internal engineering teams, and provide clear recommendations that influence Microsoft's long-term datacenter architecture. Our team is expected to develop evidence-based recommendations regarding technology readiness, deployment suitability, technical risks, and investment priorities. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on learning quickly, solving complex technical problems, and helping Microsoft make informed decisions about the future of datacenter infrastructure.Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Employees come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize shared goals. We build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive.ResponsibilitiesEvaluate, develop, and integrate next-generation electrical infrastructure technologies for Microsoft's datacenter portfolio.Define system requirements, technical specifications, architectures, interfaces, and verification strategies for emerging power and infrastructure solutions.Develop design documentation, engineering specifications, schematics, analysis, and technical recommendations that support technology maturation and deployment.Create and execute test, validation, and verification plans to assess system performance, reliability, scalability, and operational readiness.Perform technical due diligence on new technologies, supplier solutions, and industry developments to inform engineering and deployment decisions.Analyze complex technical issues using modeling, testing, data analysis, and root cause investigation to improve system performance and reliability.Evaluate design alternatives and make engineering recommendations based on technical performance, risk, cost, schedule, reliability, and operational impact.Collaborate with internal engineering teams, suppliers, partners, and research organizations to develop and mature new electrical infrastructure solutions.Support prototype development, laboratory testing, and system integration activities for first-of-a-kind infrastructure technologies.Embody our culture and values.QualificationsRequired/ Minimum Qualifications:Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field AND 3+ years power systems and utility experience in mission critical environment OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field AND 5+ years power systems and utility experience in mission critical environment OR 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. Additional/Preferred qualifications:Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years power systems and utility experience in mission critical environment OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years power systems and utility experience in mission critical environment OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineeringor related field AND 12+ years power systems and utility experience in mission critical environment OR equivalent experience.Professional Engineer (PE) license.Experience with power system modeling and analysis tools such as PSCAD, PSSE, or similar platforms.Experience with datacenter electrical infrastructure, critical power systems, utility-scale power systems, or industrial power systems.Experience with power distribution, power electronics, HVDC, medium-voltage systems, energy storage, protection systems, or emerging power architectures.Experience developing technical specifications, design documentation, testing, or verification plans for complex electrical systems.Experience evaluating, integrating, or qualifying new technologies and translating them into scalable, deployment-ready solutions.#COICareers | #CTOCareersElectrical 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:Electrical 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.