Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber & AI

Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber & AIMicrosoft Azure Cloud infrastructure & AI infrastructure are positioned at the forefront of the next industrial revolution. The Azure Fiber & AI team is a key part of Azure, dedicated to designing, building, and operating the Global Optical Network, the backbone of connectivity for seamless interaction with Azure and the services running on it such as ChatGPT.We are looking for a Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber & AI. In this role, you will play a crucial role in the strategic expansion and operational excellence of our solid core and hollow core fiber networks. You will lead the development and implementation of components and systems from design through deployment, operations, and automation, as well as contributing to the innovation of transformative technologies such as SiPho, CPO, and HCF optics for AI.ResponsibilitiesOptical Network Design for AI Systems: Collaborate with key stakeholders to ascertain customer requirements specific to optical networking for AI systems. Lead the design and development of specialized optical network components, focusing on optical direct-detection and coherent technologies, to meet both customer and technical requirements.Performs testing and validation of network devices, firmware, and configurations; defines and implements test cases with automation tools and exposes test coverage gaps.Optical Systems Testing and Validation: Conduct rigorous testing and validation of optical grey and WDM transceivers, transponders and line systems.Acts as a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) and guides other engineers by developing and following the playbook, working on call to monitor system/product/service for degradation, downtime, or interruptions, alerting stakeholders about status and initiates actions to restore system/product/service for simple and complex problems when appropriate.Operational Efficiency: Integrate state-of-the-art AI based software tooling into our operations and change management frameworks to ensure we always have the highest quality dark fiber assets possible.Proactively seeks new knowledge and adapts to new trends, technical solutions, and patterns that will improve the availability, reliability, efficiency, observability, and performance of products while also driving consistency in monitoring and operations at scale.Project and Feature Leadership: Utilize your in-depth expertise in coherent and direct-detection optical technologies to steer project and release plans in coordination with project managers and stakeholders.QualificationsDoctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 3+ years technical experience in network design, development, and automation.1+ years experience managing large scale optical transport systems and provisioning, troubleshooting, and maintaining long-haul and metro optical networks.1+ years experience with optical performance management tools, and optical transmission technologies including DWDM, CWDM, ROADM, and OTN.Ability to interpret OTDR/eye-diagram/constellation traces and apply advanced troubleshooting for signal integrity and optical impairments.1+ years experience in fiber optical network design, development, capacity planning, operations and automation with background in fiber optical networks.Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-08