Optical Network Engineer at Microsoft

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Optical Network Engineer
Company: Microsoft
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Infrastructure & Networking
Date Posted: June 19, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Collaborate with a global team to design, deploy, and operate optical networking solutions using existing and emerging technologies like Hollow Core Fiber (HCF).
Develop and implement global operations strategies to ensure high availability and meet capacity demands driven by AI advancements.
Create automation platforms to streamline network operations and enhance overall performance.
Work cross-functionally with various teams to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more with Microsoft Azure.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on optical networking and automation, requiring a strong background in network operations and a growth mindset to thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Network Deployment & Operations: Deploy and manage optical networking solutions using both established and new technologies, ensuring high availability and reliability.
Global Operations Strategy: Collaborate with a wider team to develop and implement strategies that meet global capacity demands and ensure seamless connectivity.
Automation Platform Development: Create automation platforms to streamline network operations, optimize performance, and reduce manual intervention.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with various teams to ensure a highly available network that meets the capacity demands driven by AI advancements and supports Microsoft's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous learning to keep up with emerging optical fiber technologies and AI-driven demands.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in optical networking, network operations, or a related field. Proven experience with automation platforms and global operations strategies is a plus.

Required Skills:

Proven expertise in optical networking and fiber technologies, including Hollow Core Fiber (HCF).
Strong background in network operations, with a focus on high availability and capacity management.
Experience with automation platforms and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash).
Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a global team environment.
Strong problem-solving skills and a growth mindset, with a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with cloud-based optical networking solutions and AI-driven demands.
Familiarity with Microsoft Azure and its global infrastructure.
Knowledge of network protocols and standards (e.g., OSI, TCP/IP, MPLS).
Experience with data center and colocation environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on optical networking and automation, candidates should have a strong technical foundation and a willingness to adapt to emerging technologies and AI-driven demands.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate your experience with optical networking solutions and automation platforms through case studies or projects.
Highlight your ability to collaborate with global teams and develop global operations strategies.
Showcase your problem-solving skills and commitment to high availability and capacity management.

Technical Documentation:

Provide detailed documentation of your optical networking projects, including design, deployment, and operational processes.
Include any automation scripts or platforms you've developed to streamline network operations.
Explain your approach to global operations strategies and capacity management.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on optical networking and automation, your portfolio should emphasize these aspects and demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a global team environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000 - €80,000 per year (based on market research and experience level)

Benefits:

Competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans.
Generous vacation and leave policies.
Opportunities for professional development, including training and certification programs.
A dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration.

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM). Occasional on-call duties may be required to support global network operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on market research and experience level. Actual compensation may vary depending on factors such as skills, qualifications, and negotiation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, with a focus on cloud computing and AI-driven services.

Company Size: Large (200,000+ employees), with a global presence and a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee growth.

Founded: 1975, with a rich history of innovation and a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Team Structure:

The Optical Networking team is part of the Azure Global Networking organization, working closely with various teams to ensure high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services.
The team consists of experienced network engineers, operations specialists, and automation experts, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.

Development Methodology:

Microsoft follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer value.
The team uses Azure DevOps for project management, version control, and CI/CD pipelines to streamline network operations and automation.

Company Website: Microsoft Careers

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and employee growth creates an ideal environment for optical network engineers to thrive and advance their careers.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Optical Network Engineer Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, focusing on optical networking and automation. It requires a strong technical foundation and a growth mindset to keep up with emerging technologies and AI-driven demands.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Optical Networking Manager, working closely with various teams to ensure a highly available network that meets global capacity demands.

Technical Impact: Optical Network Engineers play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing Microsoft's global network infrastructure, ensuring high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Deepen your expertise in optical networking, automation, or related fields through training, certifications, and hands-on experience.
Leadership Roles: Develop your leadership skills and take on more significant responsibilities within the team or across Microsoft's global network organization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with various teams to gain a broader understanding of Microsoft's infrastructure and services, opening up new career opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: With Microsoft's commitment to employee growth and a large global network organization, Optical Network Engineers have ample opportunities to advance their careers and take on new challenges.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Microsoft's Dublin office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork. It features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and recreational areas.

Office Location(s): Microsoft's Dublin office is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to public transportation and amenities.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: The workspace encourages collaboration and communication, with open-plan workspaces and dedicated team areas.
Tools & Equipment: Microsoft provides state-of-the-art tools and equipment, including multiple monitors, high-speed internet, and access to relevant software and platforms.
Flexibility: The work environment offers a degree of flexibility, with opportunities for remote work and flexible hours to support work-life balance.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard working hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM). Occasional on-call duties may be required to support global network operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's Dublin office provides a modern, collaborative workspace that fosters innovation and teamwork, supporting Optical Network Engineers in their roles.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your experience, motivations, and fit for the role.
Technical Deep Dive: A detailed technical conversation focusing on your optical networking and automation experience, as well as your problem-solving skills and approach to global operations strategies.
Behavioral & Cultural Fit: An in-depth discussion of your collaboration, communication, and teamwork skills, as well as your alignment with Microsoft's values and culture.
Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager or a panel of team members to assess your overall fit for the role and the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience with optical networking solutions and automation platforms through case studies or projects.
Emphasize your ability to collaborate with global teams and develop global operations strategies.
Showcase your problem-solving skills and commitment to high availability and capacity management.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your optical networking and automation skills, focusing on relevant technologies and platforms.
Familiarize yourself with Microsoft Azure and its global infrastructure.
Prepare for behavioral and situational questions that assess your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.

ATS Keywords: Optical Networking, Hollow Core Fiber, Automation, Network Operations, Collaboration, Global Operations Strategy, High Availability, Capacity Management, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, AI-driven Demands, Problem-Solving, Scripting Languages, Network Protocols, Data Center, Colocation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and communication.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Optical Networking Technologies:

Hollow Core Fiber (HCF)
Optical Amplifiers (EDFA, Raman)
Optical Switches & Routers
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (OTDR)

Automation Platforms & Tools:

Python, Bash, and other scripting languages
Ansible, Puppet, or Chef for configuration management
Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or Azure DevOps for CI/CD pipelines
Nagios, Zabbix, or Prometheus for network monitoring

Microsoft Azure Infrastructure:

Azure Global Networking
Azure Virtual Networks (VNet)
Azure Load Balancer
Azure Application Gateway
Azure ExpressRoute

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in optical networking and automation, with a focus on emerging technologies and AI-driven demands. Familiarity with Microsoft Azure and its global infrastructure is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Microsoft Values:

Customer Obsessed: We put customers first in everything we do, always listening and responding to their needs.
One Microsoft: We are a growth mindset culture focused on learning, teaching, and helping each other grow.
Inclusive: We believe diversity, inclusion, and teamwork drive our ability to collaborate and innovate.
One Microsoft: We are a growth mindset culture focused on learning, teaching, and helping each other grow.
One Microsoft: We are a growth mindset culture focused on learning, teaching, and helping each other grow.

Team Culture:

Collaboration: The Optical Networking team fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing.
Innovation: The team encourages continuous learning and innovation, with a focus on emerging technologies and AI-driven demands.
Growth Mindset: The team values a growth mindset, with a commitment to learning, teaching, and helping each other grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's values and the Optical Networking team's culture create an environment that supports collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, enabling Optical Network Engineers to thrive and advance their careers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest optical networking and automation technologies, including Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) and AI-driven demands.
Global Operations: Develop and implement global operations strategies that meet capacity demands and ensure high availability across Microsoft's global network infrastructure.
Automation: Create and maintain automation platforms that streamline network operations and optimize performance.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Training & Certification: Microsoft offers various training and certification programs to help Optical Network Engineers develop their skills and advance their careers.
Conferences & Events: Attend industry conferences and events to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in optical networking and automation.
Mentorship: Seek mentorship opportunities within the team or across Microsoft's global network organization to gain insights and guidance from experienced professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Optical Network Engineers face various technical challenges and learning opportunities, with a focus on emerging technologies, global operations, and automation. Microsoft supports their growth through training, certifications, and mentorship programs.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Optical Networking: Describe your experience with optical networking solutions and emerging technologies like Hollow Core Fiber (HCF).
Automation: Explain your approach to automation and provide examples of platforms or scripts you've developed to streamline network operations.
Global Operations: Discuss your experience with global operations strategies and capacity management, and how you've ensured high availability in previous roles.

Company & Culture Questions:

Microsoft Values: Explain how you embody Microsoft's values in your work and how you've demonstrated them in previous roles.
Teamwork: Describe your experience working in a global team environment and how you've collaborated with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Problem-Solving: Provide examples of complex problems you've solved in previous roles and how you approached them.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies of your optical networking and automation projects, highlighting your problem-solving skills and commitment to high availability and capacity management.
Technical Walkthroughs: Be prepared to provide a technical walkthrough of your projects, explaining your design choices and approaches to global operations strategies.
Global Impact: Emphasize the global impact of your work and how you've collaborated with diverse teams to ensure high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and communication. Prepare for technical and behavioral questions that assess your experience with optical networking, automation, and global operations strategies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Optical Network Engineer position:

Submit Your Application: Click on the "Apply" button on the Microsoft Careers website and follow the prompts to submit your application.
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with optical networking solutions, automation platforms, and global operations strategies, emphasizing your problem-solving skills and commitment to high availability and capacity management.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio of your optical networking and automation projects, showcasing your technical expertise and ability to collaborate with global teams.
Research Microsoft: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's mission, values, and culture, and be prepared to discuss how you embody these principles in your work.
Prepare for Technical & Behavioral Questions: Brush up on your optical networking and automation skills, and prepare for questions that assess your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and communication.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and optical networking industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Optical Network Engineer