Microsoft

Principal Hardware Security & Platform Engineer

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Redmond, WA 98052In-Person
Telecommunications & Hardware
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with significant experience.
  • 7+ years technical engineering experience with a Master's degree or 8+ years with a Bachelor's.
  • Proven experience in defining system architectures and platform specifications.
  • Strong understanding of platform security technologies, including cryptographic services and trusted computing architectures.
  • Experience in driving complex programs from definition through deployment.

Responsibilities

  • Define next-generation infrastructure architecture and technical roadmaps.
  • Own Chip Requirements Documents (CRDs) and platform requirements.
  • Drive hardware, firmware, and software interface definition and integration strategies.
  • Lead architecture reviews and design tradeoff analysis for platform investments.
  • Partner with security architects to integrate security requirements into designs.
  • Develop validation strategies and operational readiness plans for new platform capabilities.
  • Create solutions for tooling, automation, and observability to enhance development velocity.

Benefits

  • Access to extensive training and certifications.
  • Networking opportunities within a global tech leader.
  • Flexible work schedules and remote work options.
  • Wellbeing programs focusing on health and work-life balance.
  • Opportunities for career progression within Microsoft.
Full Job Description
Overview

Join the Systems Planning and Architecture (SPARC) team within Microsoft's Azure Hardware Systems and Infrastructure (AHSI) organization, the team behind Microsoft's expanding Cloud Infrastructure and for powering Microsoft's "Intelligent Cloud" mission. Microsoft delivers more than 200 online services to more than one billion individuals worldwide, and AHSI is the team behind our expanding cloud infrastructure. We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's cloud businesses including Microsoft Azure, Bing, MSN, Office 365, OneDrive, Skype, Teams and Xbox Live.

Seeking a Principal Hardware Security & Platform Engineer to drive the architecture, definition, and deployment of next-generation trusted infrastructure and hardware security platforms for hyperscale cloud environments. This role focuses on platform architecture, chip and system definition, hardware/firmware/software integration, and technical leadership across complex cross-functional programs. The engineer will partner with security architects and implementation teams to translate security requirements into scalable, deployable platform solutions.

Responsibilities
  • Define architecture and technical roadmaps for next-generation trusted infrastructure, hardware root of trust, and cloud-scale cryptographic services platforms.
  • Own Chip Requirements Documents (CRDs), platform requirements, feature specifications, and system-level architecture definition.
  • Drive hardware, firmware, and software interface definition, subsystem partitioning, and integration strategies.
  • Lead architecture reviews, design tradeoff analysis, and technology evaluations to guide platform investment and implementation decisions.
  • Partner with security architects to ensure security requirements are effectively incorporated into platform and system designs.
  • Drive cross-functional alignment across silicon, hardware, firmware, software, validation, and datacenter engineering teams.
  • Develop and champion validation strategies, deployment plans, and operational readiness for new platform capabilities.
  • Create and drive engineering tooling, automation, diagnostics, telemetry, and observability solutions that improve development velocity and product quality.
  • Identify architectural risks, integration challenges, and technical dependencies, and drive resolution across organizations.
  • Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple concurrent initiatives.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years technical engineering experience
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience
    • OR equivalent experience

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:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field required; Master's degree preferred.
  • 12+ years of experience in hardware, firmware, platform, systems, or cloud infrastructure engineering.
  • Proven experience defining system architectures, Chip Requirements Documents (CRDs), platform specifications, and cross-functional technical roadmaps.
  • Strong understanding of platform security technologies, including hardware roots of trust, secure boot, attestation, cryptographic services, key management, and trusted computing architectures.
  • Experience driving complex programs from architecture definition through implementation, integration, validation, and deployment.
  • Strong software development and scripting skills in Python, C/C++, Go, PowerShell, or similar languages.
  • Experience building engineering tools, automation frameworks, diagnostics, telemetry, and validation infrastructure.
  • Excellent technical communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction across teams and organizations.


Hardware Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year.

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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

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Join Microsoft today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity in its workforce. As a global leader in technology and digital transformation, Microsoft offers unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career to new heights.

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Career growth at Microsoft is about more than climbing the corporate ladder; it's about continuous learning, expanding your skills, and improving your capabilities. With access to various leadership and training programs, you can evolve as a professional and make a significant impact within the company and on the global stage.

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Our hiring process is designed to identify true potential. Starting with a review of your resume, followed by interviews that assess your problem-solving abilities and cultural fit, we ensure that all candidates have a fair chance to demonstrate their strengths and potential to contribute to our team.

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If you're ready to take on exciting challenges and make a difference in the world of technology, explore the job opportunities at Microsoft. Search for open positions that match your skills and interests, and prepare to embark on a rewarding career path filled with innovation and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

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At Microsoft, your future is limitless. Join us in our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Your journey with Microsoft starts here.
Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ
MSFT
* Ladders Estimates

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