This role pays more than
67%
of similar roles. Most pay
$167,875–$221,375
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$195k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology leader producing software, hardware, and cloud services including Windows, Office 365, Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming, and Surface devices. Industry: Software & Cloud Computing
Microsoft currently has
633 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 621 roles with salary data.
The Principal Optical Engineer joins the Cloud Hardware Systems Engineering team to drive architectural design, production roadmaps, and engineering efforts for next-generation optical interconnects in hyperscale AI infrastructure. This role involves defining optical interconnect strategies, evaluating emerging technologies, and leading product definitions for rack-scale fiber management including fiber shuffles, connectors, and cabling. The engineer will manage the lifecycle of optical technologies from proof-of-concept through manufacturing readiness while influencing platform decisions regarding bandwidth density, latency, and power efficiency. Key technical domains include silicon photonics, co-packaged optics, high-speed transmission systems, and advanced packaging. Candidates must possess expertise in fiber optics, data center networking, and AI infrastructure ecosystems such as InfiniBand or Ethernet. The role solves critical challenges in scaling, reliability, and cost structure for large-scale optical infrastructure within massive datacenter environments.
Define and drive the optical interconnect strategy for next-generation AI platforms.
Evaluate emerging technologies to determine optimal migration paths across multiple platform generations.
Lead architecture and product definition for rack-scale fiber management supporting AI clusters.
Establish technical targets for bandwidth density, latency, reliability, power efficiency, and manufacturing costs.
Develop standards and best practices for large-scale deployment of optical infrastructure in datacenters.
Align supplier roadmaps with Microsoft’s future platform requirements and influence industry standards.
Guide optical technologies through proof-of-concept, qualification, productization, and fleet deployment.
Perform root-cause analysis and resolve operational issues for deployed systems.
What we're looking for
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 7+ years of technical engineering experience.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 8+ years of technical engineering experience.
Ability to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check.
Knowledge and experience of Fiber Optics including tools, devices, processes, design, operations, or manufacturing (preferred).
Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of technical engineering experience (preferred).
Master's degree in Optical Engineering and 8+ years of technical engineering experience (preferred).
Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering and 12+ years of technical engineering experience (preferred).
Expertise in data center networking, high-speed interconnects, silicon photonics, or rack-scale fiber management (preferred).
SPC
AI
ML
IoT
Six Sigma
8D
Fishbone
PFMEA
DFMEA
Power BI
Microsoft Project
Valor
Creo
Cadence Allegro
NPI
Predictive Maintenance
Manufacturing Engineering
Hardware Manufacturing
Quality Management