Principal Software Engineer
About The Position
The Microsoft Azure team is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead the development of firmware, debugging, and validation of next-generation firmware solutions for Microsoft AI accelerators and cloud silicon platforms. This role is focused on the architecting, development, debug, and deployment of silicon firmware libraries focused on Compute Domains and ANC (Accelerator Network Controller). This will require experience in SoC architecture, low-level firmware, silicon bring-up, hardware/software co-design, and platform initialization flows. The candidate will serve as a technical leader driving IP Firmware library architecture across multiple silicon programs while collaborating with hardware architects, validation engineers, security and Platform firmware and software teams. The role needs to be technical hands-on leaders who will influence architecture across teams, drive complex initiatives, and effectively communicate with executives, customers, and engineering stakeholders.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- 12–15+ years of experience in firmware, embedded systems, or SoC development.
- Experience as a technical lead for complex silicon or firmware programs.
- Demonstrated ownership of architecture, development, and delivery of production-quality firmware.
- Good Programming skills in C/C++ and Python.
- Experience in CPU and accelerator architecture, ARM/RISC architectures, On Chip Interconnect.
- Experience in designing Boot loader, Platform Initialization sequences, Silicon Abstraction layers.
- Experience in domains like Network controllers, and high-performance compute sub systems.
- Silicon bringup. Debug and experience in using JTAG , Lauterbach TRACE32 and other debug tools.
- Experience in using Emulation and FPGA ;Platforms
- Experience with Azure hardware platforms.
- Experience with AI accelerator silicon.
- Experience with confidential computing and security firmware.
- Experience working with emulation platforms (Zebu, HAPS, Palladium, Veloce).
- Experience with firmware performance optimization and telemetry.
- Experience in RAS, reliability, and serviceability architecture.
Responsibilities
- Define and drive firmware architecture for Silicon firmware libraries for ANC, Compute, and SoC infrastructure subsystems.
- Influence microarchitecture decisions by working closely with silicon architects during specification and design phases.
- Lead firmware strategy across multiple silicon generations and platform programs.
- Provide technical leadership across firmware, hardware, validation, and software organizations.
- Develop silicon firmware libraries in C/C++ for Compute engines, ANC sub system, DMA Engines, and other similar IP blocks.
- Develop scalable and maintainable firmware frameworks and APIs.
- Lead first-silicon bring-up activities.
- Drive root-cause analysis for firmware, hardware, performance, and validation issues.
- Define firmware verification requirements and test plans.
- Lead cross-team initiatives spanning firmware, silicon architecture, software, security, and system integration.
- Create engineering alignment across geographically distributed teams.
- Collaborate with Azure hardware, platform software, systems, and validation organizations.
- Represent firmware technical direction in leadership and architecture reviews.
- Develop engineering best practices, coding standards, and architectural review processes.
- Guide and support engineers across experience levels in their professional and technical growth.
Benefits
- Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
