Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber at Microsoft

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber
Company: Microsoft
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Infrastructure & Networking
Date Posted: 2025-06-19

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation optical network infrastructure for Azure Fiber, Microsoft's global optical network.
Innovate deployment and operational strategies to ensure a highly available, scalable, and resilient network capable of supporting exponential growth and AI demands.
Collaborate cross-functionally with teams to evolve global operations and develop advanced automation platforms.
Leverage deep technical expertise in optical network technologies to deliver high-performance optical solutions that align with the future of AI networking.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in optical network design and a forward-thinking approach to stay ahead of the curve in AI-driven networking demands.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Optical Network Design & Development: Lead the design and development of next-generation optical network infrastructure using cutting-edge hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies.
Innovation & Strategy: Innovate deployment and operational strategies to ensure a highly available, scalable, and resilient network that can meet growing capacity and performance demands.
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Work: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evolve global operations and develop advanced automation platforms.
Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership and expertise in optical network technologies to deliver high-performance optical solutions that align with the future of AI networking.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a high degree of technical complexity and requires a proactive approach to staying current with emerging optical network technologies and AI networking demands.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with a focus on telecommunications or optical networking.

Experience: Proven experience (10+ years) in optical network design, development, and operations, with a strong background in hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies.

Required Skills:

Expertise in optical network design and architecture
Proficiency in hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies
Strong understanding of network infrastructure and AI networking demands
Experience with automation platforms and global operations
Excellent collaboration and cross-functional teamwork skills
Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to innovation
Familiarity with cloud technologies and Microsoft Azure

Preferred Skills:

Experience with AI-driven networking demands and solutions
Knowledge of deployment and operational strategies for high-performance optical networks
Familiarity with advanced automation platforms and tools
Strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor junior team members

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the technical complexity and forward-thinking nature of this role, candidates should possess a strong track record in optical network design and a proven ability to stay current with emerging technologies.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A portfolio showcasing your experience in optical network design, development, and operations.
Case studies demonstrating your ability to innovate deployment and operational strategies for high-performance optical networks.
Examples of your collaboration and cross-functional teamwork on global operations and automation platforms.
Documentation of your technical expertise in hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies.

Technical Documentation:

Detailed technical documentation outlining your approach to optical network design, including diagrams, schematics, and performance metrics.
Documentation of your experience with automation platforms, global operations, and AI networking demands.
Case studies demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and innovative solutions to complex optical network challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the technical nature of this role, a strong portfolio focusing on optical network design, development, and operations is essential for success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated salary range for this role is €120,000 - €160,000 per year, based on industry standards for senior optical network engineering roles in Dublin, Ireland. This estimate is inclusive of base salary, bonuses, and other forms of compensation.

Benefits:

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
Retirement savings plan with company matching
Generous time off and leave policies
Employee stock purchase plan
Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services
Professional development opportunities, including training and certification programs

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Occasional overtime may be required to support network maintenance and outages.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary and benefits are estimated based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Benefits are subject to change and may vary by location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Microsoft operates in the technology industry, with a focus on cloud computing, software development, and AI-driven solutions. This role is within the Azure Fiber team, which is responsible for the design, buildout, and operations of the global optical network that underpins Microsoft's mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Company Size: Microsoft is a large multinational technology company with over 180,000 employees worldwide. The Azure Fiber team is a critical component of Microsoft's global infrastructure, with a significant impact on the company's overall success.

Founded: Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The company has since grown to become a leading provider of technology solutions and services, with a strong commitment to innovation and empowering people and organizations to achieve more.

Team Structure:

The Azure Fiber team is responsible for the design, buildout, and operations of the global optical network.
The team consists of optical network engineers, network operations specialists, and automation engineers.
The team works closely with cross-functional teams, including cloud infrastructure, AI, and software development teams, to ensure seamless integration and high-quality performance.

Development Methodology:

Microsoft follows an Agile development methodology, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and customer value.
The Azure Fiber team uses Agile practices, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and regular retrospectives, to ensure efficient and effective network design, development, and operations.
The team also employs DevOps principles, including infrastructure as code (IaC), continuous integration, and continuous deployment (CI/CD), to automate and streamline network operations.

Company Website: Microsoft Careers

📝 Enhancement Note: The Azure Fiber team is a critical component of Microsoft's global infrastructure, with a significant impact on the company's overall success. The team works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and high-quality performance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the optical network engineering field. It requires a high degree of technical expertise and a forward-thinking approach to stay ahead of the curve in AI-driven networking demands.

Reporting Structure: The Principal Optical Network Engineer reports directly to the Azure Fiber team lead and works closely with cross-functional teams, including cloud infrastructure, AI, and software development teams.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Microsoft's global optical network and the company's overall success. The Principal Optical Network Engineer is responsible for innovating deployment and operational strategies to ensure a highly available, scalable, and resilient network that can meet growing capacity and performance demands.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: As a senior-level position, this role offers opportunities for technical leadership and mentoring within the Azure Fiber team and across Microsoft.
Architecture & Design: This role provides opportunities to work on cutting-edge optical network technologies and contribute to the design and development of next-generation optical network infrastructure.
Global Operations: This role offers opportunities to collaborate with global operations teams and develop advanced automation platforms to ensure efficient and effective network operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for technical leadership, architecture and design, and global operations within the optical network engineering field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Microsoft's Dublin office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity. The office features open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas, as well as on-site amenities, including a cafeteria, gym, and wellness center.

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

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Workspace: The open-plan workspaces encourage collaboration and communication among team members, with ample opportunities for informal discussions and idea-sharing.
Technical Equipment: The workspace is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including high-performance workstations, multiple monitors, and testing devices, to support efficient and effective network design, development, and operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The office is home to various teams, including cloud infrastructure, AI, and software development teams, providing ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and integration.

Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard working hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Occasional overtime may be required to support network maintenance and outages.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's Dublin office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity, with ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and integration.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Assessment: A technical assessment focusing on optical network design, development, and operations, as well as problem-solving and innovation skills.
Behavioral Interview: A behavioral interview focusing on collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Final Interview: A final interview with the Azure Fiber team lead to discuss the candidate's fit for the role and the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Portfolio Organization: Organize your portfolio to highlight your experience in optical network design, development, and operations, with a focus on innovation and problem-solving.
Case Studies: Include case studies demonstrating your ability to innovate deployment and operational strategies for high-performance optical networks.
Technical Documentation: Include detailed technical documentation outlining your approach to optical network design, including diagrams, schematics, and performance metrics.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Optical Network Design: Brush up on your optical network design skills, with a focus on hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies.
Problem-Solving: Practice problem-solving and innovation skills to ensure you can tackle complex optical network challenges.
Collaboration & Communication: Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and communication skills.

ATS Keywords:

Optical Network Design
Hollow Core Fiber
Solid Core Fiber
Network Infrastructure
Automation Platforms
Cross-Functional Collaboration
High-Performance Solutions
AI Networking
Scalability
Resilience
Deployment Strategies
Operational Strategies
Global Operations
Technical Expertise
Innovation
Cloud Technologies

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise in optical network design, development, and operations, as well as their collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Optical Network Technologies:

Hollow Core Fiber (HCF)
Solid Core Fiber (SCF)
Optical Amplifiers (OA)
Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (OADM)
Optical Cross-Connects (OXC)
Optical Switches (OSW)

Network Infrastructure:

Routers
Switches
Firewalls
Load Balancers
WAN Optimization Controllers (WOC)

Automation Platforms:

Ansible
Puppet
Chef
SaltStack
Microsoft Azure Automation

Global Operations Tools:

ServiceNow
BMC Remedy
JIRA Service Desk
Microsoft Azure Service Health

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in optical network technologies, with a focus on hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies. Familiarity with network infrastructure and automation platforms is also essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Microsoft Values:

One Microsoft: We focus on a growth mindset and empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
Customer Obsessed: We are dedicated to understanding and fulfilling the needs of our customers.
One Engineering Culture: We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, where everyone can thrive and contribute to our success.
Results & Growth: We focus on delivering results and driving growth through continuous learning and improvement.

Azure Fiber Team Values:

Innovation: We embrace a forward-thinking approach to optical network design and development.
Collaboration: We work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and high-quality performance.
Resilience: We strive to ensure our optical network is highly available, scalable, and resilient, capable of meeting growing capacity and performance demands.
Continuous Learning: We foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, staying current with emerging optical network technologies and AI networking demands.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: The Azure Fiber team works closely with cloud infrastructure, AI, and software development teams to ensure seamless integration and high-quality performance.
Code Review Culture: The team employs a code review culture to ensure high-quality network design, development, and operations.
Peer Programming: The team encourages peer programming and knowledge-sharing to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Azure Fiber team values innovation, collaboration, resilience, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on staying current with emerging optical network technologies and AI networking demands.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

AI-Driven Networking: Staying current with emerging AI-driven networking demands and developing high-performance optical solutions to meet these demands.
Exponential Growth: Preparing for exponential growth in capacity and performance demands driven by continued Cloud success and new AI demands.
Innovation: Innovating deployment and operational strategies to ensure a highly available, scalable, and resilient network capable of supporting growing capacity and performance demands.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Emerging Technologies: Staying current with emerging optical network technologies and AI networking demands through continuous learning and professional development.
Mentorship & Leadership: Providing mentorship and technical leadership to junior team members and contributing to the development of advanced automation platforms.
Architecture & Design: Working on cutting-edge optical network technologies and contributing to the design and development of next-generation optical network infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges and growth opportunities within the optical network engineering field, with a strong focus on staying current with emerging technologies and AI networking demands.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Optical Network Design: Prepare for technical questions focusing on optical network design, development, and operations, with a strong emphasis on hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies.
AI Networking: Brush up on your knowledge of AI-driven networking demands and prepare for technical questions focusing on high-performance optical solutions.
Problem-Solving: Prepare for problem-solving questions that assess your ability to tackle complex optical network challenges and innovate deployment and operational strategies.

Company & Culture Questions:

Microsoft Values: Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's core values and be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work.
Azure Fiber Team Values: Understand the Azure Fiber team's values and be prepared to discuss how you align with these values and contribute to the team's success.
Global Operations: Prepare for questions focusing on global operations, automation platforms, and cross-functional teamwork.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Portfolio Organization: Organize your portfolio to highlight your experience in optical network design, development, and operations, with a focus on innovation and problem-solving.
Case Studies: Include case studies demonstrating your ability to innovate deployment and operational strategies for high-performance optical networks.
Technical Documentation: Include detailed technical documentation outlining your approach to optical network design, including diagrams, schematics, and performance metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise in optical network design, development, and operations, as well as their alignment with Microsoft and Azure Fiber team values and their ability to contribute to the team's success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber position:

Submit your application through the Microsoft Careers website.
Portfolio Customization: Customize your portfolio to highlight your experience in optical network design, development, and operations, with a focus on innovation and problem-solving. Include case studies demonstrating your ability to innovate deployment and operational strategies for high-performance optical networks.
Resume Optimization: Optimize your resume for optical network engineering roles, with a focus on technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration and cross-functional teamwork skills.
Technical Interview Preparation: Prepare for technical interview questions focusing on optical network design, development, and operations, with a strong emphasis on hollow-core and solid-core fiber technologies. Brush up on your knowledge of AI-driven networking demands and prepare for problem-solving questions that assess your ability to tackle complex optical network challenges and innovate deployment and operational strategies.
Company Research: Research Microsoft and the Azure Fiber team's values and culture to ensure you can align with these values and contribute to the team's success. Familiarize yourself with Microsoft's mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more and understand how this role contributes to this mission.

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

Principal Optical Network Engineer - Azure Fiber