Hardware Systems Engineer

Overview

Microsoft is a highly innovative company that collaborates across disciplines to produce cutting edge technology that changes our world. The Azure Cloud Hardware and Infrastructure Engineering (CHIE) team is seeking a highly motivated senior hardware systems engineer to work in a team of other hardware and software developers to create systems and modules to be deployed in Microsoft's Azure Cloud. Microsoft provides ample opportunities for developers to have an impact on products that touch the lives of millions of users daily, in a cutting-edge public cloud environment.

As a Systems Engineering team member, you will develop System Validation plans for Azure's leading HW solutions by incorporating advanced technologies, datacenter use cases and by working across different engineering functions. Responsibilities will include architecting and developing efficient test and debug frameworks for cutting edge technologies, building test and debug automation, partnering with leading technology providers to define test and debug strategies, driving unified and efficient test, validation and debug methodologies across product segments. This is an opportunity to leverage and grow your existing hardware design/validation experience and provide innovative E2E hardware solutions to Microsoft Cloud.

Come join this exciting and growing team through our monumental evolution of cloud hardware at Azure and Microsoft!

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design and execute System validation plans, test frameworks for state-of-the-art HW solutions based on CPU/GPU applications to confirm design meets cloud grade quality.
• Drive continuous improvement to achieve unified and standard testing, validation and debug methodology - adopt automation, AI Capabilities to drive efficiency and enhance test coverage.
• Work with OEMs/ODMs and other system engineers to run system validation, SKU qualification, scale testing, and system debugging.
• Hands on validation and debug work with test engineers in the laboratory
• Identify, triage and resolve server subsystem faults; drive end-to-end root cause with cross team partners and implement fixes.
• Work with stakeholders on process improvement, data quality improvement, and cross-boundary triaging.
• Develop automation and tooling for server validation in collaboration with other teams.
• Handle a DevOps role with occasional on-call responsibilities for resolving customer issues in production

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 2+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of relevant experience in server systems/platforms development and validation for enterprise or cloud market segments.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in server hardware validation architecture, developing test infrastructure and automation using PowerShell, Python or similar frameworks.

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 expertise in hardware, firmware, and OS interfaces, with strong knowledge of CPU/GPU architecture, system design, and platform configuration trade-offs.
• Advanced troubleshooting and debugging skills across hardware, firmware, drivers, and OS, including hands-on experience with tools like logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and PCIe analyzers.
• Proven ability to evaluate hardware designs, analyze HW/FW/OS interactions, and resolve complex system-level issues (e.g., board hardware, thermal, firmware).
• Experience in performance benchmarking (SPEC, Linpack, AI workloads) and defining custom hardware tools for validation and debug is preferred.
• Familiarity with key technology domains: PCIe, memory subsystems, networking, power management, rack and remote device management.
• Experience with data analytics, collection/aggregation, and dashboarding for system observability, testability, and debuggability (OTD). Excellent technical communication skills and demonstrated leadership in cross-functional, collaborative environments (including OEM/ODM partners).

Hardware Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $100,600 - $199,000 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 $131,400 - $215,400 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.