Principal Electrical Engineer

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

6d•$142,800 - $304,200

About The Position

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO&I) builds and operates the datacenter infrastructure supporting Microsoft’s cloud business. Within CO&I, the Datacenter Engineering (DCE) team delivers core infrastructure for complex, large-scale, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects. The Principal Electrical Engineer serves as a global datacenter electrical subject matter expert, supporting Microsoft’s Technical Excellence program and projects worldwide. The role sets technical direction for internal DCE electrical subject matter experts and external consultants, with deep expertise in electrical system design, coordination, associated systems, and datacenter topology. The position may be based in Atlanta, Georgia; San Antonio, Texas; Redmond, Washington; Phoenix, Arizona; or Washington, D.C. Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to these locations.

Requirements

Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field and at least 3 years of technical engineering experience; or a master’s degree in one of these fields and at least 6 years of technical engineering experience in a data center or critical-environment field; or a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and at least 8 years of technical engineering experience; or equivalent experience.
Must meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality standards, including technical report writing.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field and at least 5 years of technical engineering experience; or a master’s degree in one of these fields and at least 8 years of technical engineering experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and at least 12 years of technical engineering experience; or equivalent experience.
Experience managing internal customer requirements and design.
Experience designing complex electrical engineering systems in datacenters.
Licensed Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering.
Ability to conduct and review availability and reliability calculations.
Detailed understanding of uninterruptible power sources, diesel generators, medium- and low-voltage electrical switchgear, and distribution design.
Detailed understanding of underground distribution design, including Neher-McGrath duct-bank heat calculations.
Extensive experience reviewing and analyzing short-circuit, coordination, and arc-flash studies.
Excellent knowledge of industry standards, building codes, and regulations.
Ability to perform equipment reviews, including factory witness testing.
Ability to lead internal and external engineering teams in advanced engineering and operational processes and procedures for large datacenter environments.
Ability to present using Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint.
AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM capability.
Experience with SKM and ETAP power analysis software.

Responsibilities

Provide technical direction and leadership for internal DCE electrical subject matter experts and external consultants globally.
Support Microsoft’s datacenter Technical Excellence program and projects.
Provide technical guidance to facility operations and support best-practices analysis and strategic improvements with equipment manufacturers and integrators.
Maintain and manage Microsoft’s master electrical specifications, incorporating continuous improvements and aligning them with emerging industry requirements.
Coordinate with other DCE teams to maintain standard design schedules across the program.
Review operational sites and advise other organizations on power-harvesting opportunities to optimize existing infrastructure.
Work with procurement, manufacturers, and global and local engineering teams to deliver electrical and Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS) solutions.
Collaborate across teams and stakeholders to deliver and continuously improve Microsoft’s electrical design approach.
Oversee specification and drawing development, including sequences of operation and drawings and specifications for Microsoft’s distribution topology.
Facilitate cross-group collaboration and stakeholder alignment in a fast-paced environment.
Provide strong, organized leadership and demonstrate personal integrity and a methodical, detail-oriented work ethic.