Microsoft

Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Austin, TX 78745In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's or Bachelor's Degree in relevant engineering field with 7-12 years manufacturing/repair experience.
  • Expertise in manufacturing operations, quality systems, and supplier management.
  • Strong leadership and problem-solving abilities in high-pressure environments.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across organizational levels.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and Power BI, with data analysis capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize factory operations, staffing plans, and production line capabilities.
  • Manage supplier relationships to ensure manufacturing quality and compliance.
  • Standardize repair processes across global suppliers for scalable production.
  • Implement advanced quality control systems using automation and AI analytics.
  • Lead initiatives for continuous improvement and problem-solving methodologies like Six Sigma.
  • Drive adoption of predictive maintenance technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Collaborate on product design and industrialization to improve manufacturability and sustainability.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs.
  • Retirement savings plan with employer match.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
  • Career development and training opportunities.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and innovative work environment.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities
  • Factory Operations & Capacity Planning: Develop production line capability, factory layouts, staffing plans, and capacity models to support product ramps, high-volume manufacturing, and repair operations.
  • Supplier Management & Production Risk Mitigation: Partner with suppliers, sourcing, NPI, and engineering teams to assess manufacturing capability, qualification, compliance, capacity, and sub-tier risks while driving corrective actions and supply continuity.
  • Manufacturing Process & Supplier Readiness: Develop, standardize, and optimize manufacturing and repair processes across global supplier sites, ensuring scalable production, yield improvement, capacity readiness, and continuous operational excellence.
  • Quality Systems & Process Control: Implement SPC, automation, AI-driven analytics, vision systems, and digital monitoring solutions to improve quality, reduce variability, detect defects early, and enable predictive quality management.
  • Root Cause Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Lead structured problem-solving efforts (8D, Fishbone, PFMEA, DFMEA, Six Sigma) to identify, resolve, and prevent recurring manufacturing, design, and repair issues.
  • AI, Automation & Predictive Maintenance: Drive adoption of AI/ML, IoT, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance technologies to improve equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and factory visibility.
  • Product Industrialization & Design for Manufacturing: Collaborate with design, NPI, quality, and supplier teams to ensure products, packaging, and processes meet manufacturability, automation, reliability, serviceability, and sustainability requirements.
  • Technical Validation & Risk Management: Lead qualification strategies, NUDD assessments, engineering changes, simulations, tolerance analysis, and failure-mode evaluations to proactively identify and mitigate technical, schedule, tooling, and capacity risks.
  • Program Execution & Technology Roadmaps: Influence suppliers to invest in new technologies, align with long-term product strategies, support new product introductions, and drive successful project execution from development through mass production.
  • Metrics, Governance & Business Reviews: Establish dashboards and reporting mechanisms to monitor supplier performance, quality, compliance, operational efficiency, and provide manufacturing insights for executive reviews and QBRs.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications :

Master's Degree in Manufacturing, Material, Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal, or Industrial Engineering, or related field AND 7+ years experience in a manufacturing environment/repair OR Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing, Material, Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal, or Industrial Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years experience in a manufacturing environment /repair OR equivalent experience.

Other:

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:
  • Doctorate in Manufacturing, Material, Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal, Industrial Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years experience in manufacturing environment/repair OR Master's Degree in Manufacturing, Material, Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal, Industrial Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years experience in manufacturing environment/repair OR Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing, Material, Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal, Industrial Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years experience in manufacturing environment/repair OR equivalent experience.
  • Proven leadership, management, facilitation, and problem-solving skills including L1/L2 Triage Capability
  • Proven interpersonal and communication skills, and experience working effectively with all organizational levels.
  • Proven experience prioritizing and executing tasks in a high-pressure, fast-faced environment.
  • Well versed in Microsoft Office tools (Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, Word, Excel etc.) and Power BI.
  • Patent or track record of engineering excellency.
  • Server compute, storage, GPU and networking product development or manufacturing experiences
  • Ability to analyze and interpret data statistically and to translate statistical data into business narratives that enable executives to make timely and informed decisions.
  • Proven track record in identifying a complex environment and driving improvements on scale. Excellent communications and leadership skills, ability to work well with cross functional groups, ability to work independently with remote supervision.
  • Valor, Creo and Cadence Allegro software knowledge

#SCHIE #HIFE

Manufacturing 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.

Microsoft Careers

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.

Explore Career Opportunities at Microsoft

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a recent graduate eager to start your career, Microsoft has a position that suits your skills and ambitions. We are committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is supported in expanding their horizons.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Microsoft internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities in a supportive and dynamic environment. You'll work on real projects, learn from industry leaders, and gain the skills necessary for a successful career in technology.

Employment Benefits

Choosing a career at Microsoft means more than just a job. Our employees enjoy a range of benefits designed to empower them both professionally and personally. These include comprehensive health benefits, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement through professional development and diversity training.

Inclusive Culture and Diversity

At Microsoft, we believe that innovation comes from diversity of thought and inclusion. We are committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued and inspired. Our leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives lead to breakthrough innovations and a competitive edge.

Grow with Us

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.

Hiring Process

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.

Networking and Professional Development

Microsoft is a place where you can build a professional network that spans the globe. Our employees benefit from connections with top-tier professionals and industry leaders, which opens doors to innovative projects and collaborative opportunities that are second to none.

Join Our Team

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.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Microsoft Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Get tailored content that aligns with your career preferences and discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Microsoft.

SEARCH MICROSOFT JOBS

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

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Microsoft

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Principal Manufacturing Engineer jobs:

NationwideAustin, TX