Do you have a keen interest in optical communications and want to contribute to shaping its future? Are you enthusiastic about optical fibers and motivated by the challenge to advance the technology, play a key role in enabling its transformative potential and lead innovation? Do you want to contribute to the production of the next generation of hollow core optical fibers (HCFs), working in a supportive research environment? If you've said 'yes' to these questions, then this role might be for you.

Azure Fiber is looking for a Principal Optical Engineer to join its team of experts in developing the next generation of optical fibers for cloud computing. As a principal optical engineer, the candidate will lead a fiber fabrication team conducting advanced research for Azure Fiber and will oversee the entire process from design to production of novel and innovative fibers with improved performance, reliability, and cost.

The position will be based in the Southampton (UK) area, between the Microsoft Azure Fiber labs in Romsey and the state-of-the-art cleanroom facility at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton. The candidate will have access to world-class resources and expertise in optical fiber research and development, and will have the opportunity and mission to shape the future of optical networking and cloud computing at Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Researching materials and new designs of hollow-core optical fibers for targeting optimal optical and mechanical properties.

• Managing the work of other researchers working on fabrication related projects, providing guidance, feedback, and mentoring.

• Developing and implementing fabrication processes and protocols to produce high quality fibers using advanced glass preform manufacturing techniques.

• Characterizing and testing the fabricated fibers using advanced optical and mechanical methods and tools, such as optical spectrum analyzers, reflectometers, interferometers, and tensile testers.

• Collaborating with other teams at Azure Fiber and external partners, such as the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton, to ensure alignment of goals, standards, and best practices.

• Communicating and presenting the results and progress of the fiber fabrication team to internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, customers, and peers.

• Operating and monitoring state-of-the-art optical fiber manufacturing equipment within a quality management and safety conscious environment.

• Contributing in first person, and visibly supporting the establishment and maintenance of a safe working environment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Technical engineering experience

• OR Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Fiber Optics Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field

• OR Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Fiber Optics Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field

• OR Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Fiber Optics Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field

• Experience in fiber optic research

• Experience in managing individuals or small teams

Other Requirements:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical experience with a focus on optical fiber fabrication and innovation

• Competent use of fiber draw tower, glass working lathe and fiber optics characterization tools

• Track record for excellence in research

• Demonstrable leadership capabilities, and ability to provide recognition and feedback to team members, while making them feel included and valued

• Relentless drive for excellence

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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. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .