Principal Firmware Engineer

Principal Firmware Engineer | Microsoft Careers Skip to main content Microsoft Careers Careers Careers Search Search jobs Sign in Single PositionView All JobsPrincipal Firmware EngineerIndia, Multiple Locations, Multiple LocationsApply nowAdd to cartFind out how well you match with this jobUpload your resumeJob descriptionCompany and benefitsJob number200043554Date postedJul 16, 2026Work site3 days / week in-officeTravelLess than 25%ProfessionHardware EngineeringDisciplineFirmware EngineeringRole typeIndividual ContributorEmployment typeFull-TimeOverviewMicrosoft Silicon and Cloud Hardware Infrastructure Engineering (SCHIE) is the team behind Microsoft’s expanding Cloud Infrastructure and responsible for powering Microsoft’s “Intelligent Cloud” mission. SCHIE delivers the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's over 200 online businesses including Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Skype, OneDrive, and the Microsoft Azure platform globally with its server and data center infrastructure, security and compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability solutions. Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners worldwide, and we are looking for passionate engineers to help achieve that mission.    Are you passionate about working on cutting edge technology in a team that embodies the growth mindset? Are you hoping to join an organization which is built on the mission “To empower every person and organization on this planet to achieve more”?  The Firmware Center of Excellence org in SCHIE is responsible for building Hardware/Firmware for Azure Infrastructure. We are working on the next generation of Hardware/Firmware for server, silicon, and rack infrastructure with a focus on innovation in firmware technology to secure Azure infrastructure for Microsoft and their customers. Our team works closely with AI and Azure-Core teams for the architecture and development of Cobalt and Maia systems in Azure Data-centre. We are looking for a highly motivated Principal Firmware Engineer with a strong background in silicon firmware library and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) development for embedded systems. In this role you will define the architecture of the reusable firmware libraries, HAL, and low-level device drivers that enable the bring-up and operation of Microsoft’s next-generation AI and compute silicon.   #SCHIE ResponsibilitiesDrive the architectural vision and strategic direction for silicon firmware libraries and the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) across SoC platforms—spanning boot ROMs, low-level device drivers, and system runtimes. Define reusable driver interfaces (like- PCIe, NVME, Memory Controller, Network Interface) and the system libraries required for SoC bring-up, ensuring scalability, portability, performance, and security. Mentor and guide senior and junior engineers in firmware library, HAL, and driver development, debugging, and optimization. Provide technical oversight across multiple subsystems and components. Serve as the primary technical liaison between hardware/silicon architects, Silicon DV team and partner firmware development teams to align silicon firmware library and HAL development with overall product goals. Lead complex system-level debugging efforts, conduct root cause analysis, and perform performance tuning across the hardware, HAL, and firmware boundaries. Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends in silicon firmware, HAL design, and low-level software. Propose and prototype innovative solutions to enhance reusability, portability, and operational efficiency across product lines. Own the complete firmware library development lifecycle—from concept and design through SoC bring-up, validation, manufacturing, and productization. Ensure delivery of high-quality, production-ready, reusable...