This role pays more than
65%
of similar roles. Most pay
$170,337–$225,500
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$198k
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
599 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 564 roles with salary data.
The Principal Optical Engineer joins the Cloud Hardware Systems Engineering team to drive architectural design and production roadmaps for next-generation optical interconnects in hyperscale AI infrastructure. This role serves as a technical leader for near-package optics, co-packaged optics, silicon photonics, and advanced packaging. You will translate system requirements into specifications for bandwidth density, latency, and signal integrity while building system models for photonic-device performance and thermal behavior. Key responsibilities include guiding proof-of-concept designs through manufacturing ramp, performing laboratory characterization, and defining verification strategies at the wafer, die, and rack levels. You will utilize expertise in VCSELs, modulators, photodetectors, and heterogeneous integration technologies like chiplets and hybrid bonding to solve complex interconnect challenges within AI scale-up networks and high-bandwidth fabrics.
Optical Engineering
Photonics
MATLAB
Python
Signal Processing
Optical Alignment
Imaging Systems
Data Analysis
Laboratory Automation
Optical System Modeling
Semiconductor Manufacturing
Lithography
ISO 9000