Microsoft

Senior Debug Tools Engineer

Microsoft$119K — $234K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in related field with 1+ years of experience, or a Masters with 4+ years, or a Bachelors with 5+ years, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience debugging embedded systems and firmware integration.
  • 3+ years of programming in C/C++ and Python, especially for automation and tooling.
  • Hands-on experience with debug tools like OpenOCD and TRACE32.
  • Familiarity with Arm architecture and related debug technologies.
  • Knowledge of Design for Debug, scan dump analysis, and silicon validation methodologies.

Responsibilities

  • Design and maintain debug tools and automation frameworks for Microsoft server-class SoCs.
  • Enhance debug workflows using OpenOCD, Lauterbach TRACE32, and related technologies.
  • Create automation scripts and diagnostic tools using C/C++ and Python.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve hardware-software interaction issues.
  • Implement advanced debug capabilities including Coresight-based debugging and crash analysis.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for continued education and professional development.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and projects.
  • Collaboration with diverse and experienced teams.
  • Participation in a dynamic work environment that encourages innovation.
  • Flexible work arrangements and remote work options.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

The candidate for this position will be expected and able to complete the following responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, validate, and maintain silicon debug tools and automation frameworks used during pre-silicon and post-silicon bring-up of Microsoft server-class SoCs.
  • Develop and enhance debug workflows leveraging OpenOCD, Lauterbach TRACE32, JTAG/DAP infrastructure, and related run-control technologies to improve debug efficiency and engineering productivity.
  • Create software utilities, automation scripts, and diagnostic tools using C/C++, Python, and related technologies to support firmware bring-up, silicon validation, crash analysis, and system debugging.
  • Partner closely with silicon architecture, DFT, firmware, validation, platform, and operating system teams to investigate complex hardware-software interactions, root-cause issues, and drive corrective actions.
  • Enable advanced debug capabilities including Coresight-based debug, trace collection, register and memory access, scan dump analysis, UART-based bring-up, crash dump collection, and remote debugging solutions.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 1+ year(s) technical engineering experience
    • OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years technical engineering experience
    • OR equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience debugging embedded systems, firmware, operating systems, or SoC platforms involving hardware-software integration.
  • 3+ years of programming experience in C/C++ and Python for software development, automation, tooling, or embedded systems.
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience using hardware/software debug tools such as OpenOCD, TRACE32, Arm Development Studio, GDB, or equivalent debugging environments.
  • Experience with Arm architecture, Armv8/Armv9 processors, CoreSight, DAP, ETM, or related debug and trace technologies.
  • Knowledge of Design for Debug (DFD), Design for Test (DFT), scan dump analysis, crash dump collection, or silicon validation methodologies.
  • Experience with server-class SoCs, platform bring-up, firmware development, or post-silicon validation.
  • Experience with Linux kernel debugging, perf, OS based trace, and system performance analysis tools.
  • Familiarity with AMBA protocols such as AXI, AHB, and APB.
  • Experience developing automation frameworks and scalable engineering productivity tools.
  • Experience with firmware bring-up and debugging using UART logs and low-level system diagnostics.
  • Background in Python-based AI development, diagnostic analytics, LLMs, RAG, and large-scale debug data processing could significantly accelerate development of next-generation silicon triage capabilities.


Screening 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.
  • This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their US. residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate's citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.


Silicon Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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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Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
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