Microsoft · 1 day ago
Principal AI Network Architect
Redmond, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$140K/yr - $275K/yr
7+ years expMicrosoft is a leading technology company focused on cloud infrastructure and intelligent solutions. They are seeking a Principal AI Network Architect to spearhead architectural innovation for GPU and AI accelerator platforms, ensuring high-quality and efficient deployment of cloud infrastructure.
Agentic AIApplication Performance ManagementArtificial Intelligence (AI)Business DevelopmentDevOpsInformation ServicesInformation TechnologyManagement Information SystemsNetwork SecuritySoftware
Responsibilities
Technology Leadership Spearhead architectural definition and innovation for next-generation GPU and AI accelerator platforms, with a focus on ultra-high bandwidth, low-latency backend networks. Drive system-level integration across compute, storage, and interconnect domains to support scalable AI training workloads
Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with silicon, firmware, and datacenter engineering teams to co-design infrastructure that meets performance, reliability, and deployment goals. Influence platform decisions across rack, chassis, and pod-level implementations
Technology Partnerships Cultivate deep technical relationships with silicon vendors, optics suppliers, and switch fabric providers to co-develop differentiated solutions. Represent Microsoft in joint architecture forums and technical workshops
Architectural Clarity Evaluate and articulate tradeoffs across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and signal integrity domains. Frame decisions in terms of TCO, performance, scalability, and deployment risk. Lead design reviews and contribute to PRDs and system specifications
Industry Influence Shape the direction of hyperscale AI infrastructure by engaging with standards bodies (e.g., IEEE 802.3), influencing component roadmaps, and driving adoption of novel interconnect protocols and topologies
Qualification
Required
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
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
5+ years of experience in designing AI backend networks and integrating them into large-scale GPU systems
Proven expertise in system architecture across compute, networking, and accelerator domains
Deep understanding of RDMA protocols (RoCE, InfiniBand), congestion control (DCQCN), and Layer 2/3 routing
Experience with optical interconnects (e.g., PSM, WDM), link budget analysis, and transceiver integration
Familiarity with signal integrity modeling, link training, and physical layer optimization
Experience architecting backend networks for AI training and Inference workloads, including Hamiltonian cycle traffic and collective operations (e.g., all-reduce, all-gather)
Hands-on design of high-radix switches (≥400Gbps per port), orthogonal chassis, and cabled backplanes
Knowledge of chip-to-chip and chip-to-module interfaces, including error correction and equalization techniques
Experience with custom NIC IPs and transport layers for secure, reliable packet delivery
Familiarity with AI model execution pipelines and their impact on pod-level network design and latency SLAs
Prior contributions to hyperscale deployments or cloud-scale AI infrastructure programs
Company
Microsoft
Microsoft is a software corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Microsoft has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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2025 (9192)
2024 (9343)
2023 (7677)
2022 (11403)
2021 (7210)
2020 (7852)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1MKey Investors
Technology Venture Investors
2022-12-09Post Ipo Equity
1986-03-13IPO
1981-09-01Series Unknown· $1M
Leadership Team
Satya Nadella
Chairman and CEO
Vukani Mngxati
Chief Executive Officer - Microsft South Africa
Recent News
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