Principal Optical Engineer

Quick Facts

• Role: Principal Optical Engineer (Optical interconnect productization for cloud and AI infrastructure)

Description

Lead the implementation, integration, qualification, and high-volume deployment of optical interconnect solutions for Microsoft cloud and AI infrastructure. You will translate approved optical architectures into deployable requirements spanning modules, fibers, connectors, rack integration, supplier expectations, validation, and manufacturing. Drive productization from product definition through prototype, interoperability, qualification, production release, manufacturing ramp, and fleet deployment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with platform and optical architecture teams to convert optical architecture selections into deployable product requirements and implementation plans

• Own product-level requirements and tradeoffs across optical modules/engines, fiber assemblies, connectors, fiber-management systems, and rack-level optical paths

• Lead productization across design maturity, prototype integration, qualification, manufacturing ramp, and fleet deployment

• Run cross-functional design reviews covering optics, electrical interfaces, SI/PI, mechanical tolerances, thermal integration, firmware/telemetry, rack integration, validation, reliability, manufacturing, and serviceability

• Define and drive validation, qualification, reliability, inspection, and production-test strategies with evidence-based coverage and exit criteria

• Resolve complex module/fiber/connector/rack/manufacturing/field issues by organizing cross-team debug and driving corrective and preventive actions

• Provide technical direction to partners (optical modules, fiber/cable, connector, ODM, contract manufacturing, and test equipment), including deliverables, design-review criteria, quality expectations, yield targets, escalation paths, and readiness gates

• Drive supplier selection and production readiness, balancing DFM/DFT/DFR, process capability, yield, quality, cost, capacity, continuity of supply, and change control

• Identify and communicate productization/deployment risks and decision tradeoffs to senior stakeholders

• Mentor engineers and create reusable specifications, qualification methods, manufacturing controls, supplier scorecards, design guides, and lessons learned

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience

• OR Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience

• OR equivalent experience

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements; pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter

Benefits

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation (per company pay and benefits information).