This position is for a datacenter storage architect in the Azure Hardware Architecture organization. The successful candidate will be responsible for pathfinding, architectural innovation, and analysis of datacenter storage architectures, working closely with the Azure Storage business and other architects in the Azure Hardware Architecture organization. The work includes architectural design, driving alignment with other teams in Microsoft, and collaborating closely with other architects focused on future datacenter designs. This is a technical role that starts as an individual contributor. 

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Explore, analyze, and architect system-level storage solutions for cloud datacenters, considering cost, performance, scalability, reliability, and security 
• Partner with Azure Storage business to understand their issues, requirements, and business models 
• Work closely with other architects to understand and optimize interactions of storage with networking, packaging/power/cooling, security, and datacenter management and operations 
• Incubate and prototype new hardware technologies to demonstrate viability of new system architectures 
• Collaborate with various partner teams in Microsoft (Azure cloud services, Microsoft Research, OS/Hyper-V software, hardware design, etc.) to ensure end-to-end software-hardware solutions 
• Participate in industry standards bodies as needed to drive emerging technologies relevant for system storage architectures 
• Engage with Azure’s supplier ecosystem on engineering collaborations that deliver on the above charter 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications: 

• BS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or equivalent experience (MS or PhD desirable) 
• 8 years minimum (10+ preferred) of experience in computer architecture or engineering research and development, with demonstrated track record of success 
• Deep knowledge of storage media, storage system architecture, and storage software stacks. 
• Experience building prototypes or proof-of-concept storage systems 
• Comfortable collaborating across a diverse set of teams, both within Microsoft and in external organizations 
• Experience leading and driving complex projects with respect and integrity including those with multiple workstreams spanning different business and technical disciplines 
• Strong intellectual curiosity and a passion about learning and deploying new technologies 
• Superior problem-solving skills, analytical capabilities, and attention to detail 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong background in computer and systems architecture, with thorough understanding of system software (OS, Drivers, Firmware) and its interaction with the hardware platform 

Microsoft is a highly innovative company that collaborates across disciplines to produce cutting edge cloud technology that changes our world. The Azure Hardware Architecture (AHA) team in Microsoft is responsible for delivering server infrastructure for Microsoft’s online services. The hardware for operating these numerous services, comprises of hundreds of thousands of servers spread globally, and applications that reach hundreds of millions of users every day. Our customer-base is growing rapidly, our infrastructure investments are multiplying, and the size of our global infrastructure is increasing by the day - along with the scale of our challenges. Learn more about our team and projects here Azure Hardware Infrastructure 
 

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Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.