Senior Cloud Network Engineering - Azure Fiber at Microsoft

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Cloud Network Engineering - Azure Fiber
Company: Microsoft
Location: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Infrastructure & Operations
Date Posted: June 19, 2025

🚀 Role Summary

Key Role Aspects: Design, deploy, and operate optical networking solutions using existing and new optical fiber technologies, including Hollow Core Fiber (HCF). Collaborate with a wider team to develop a global operations strategy and create automation platforms.
Industry Context: As part of Azure Fiber, this role focuses on the design, buildout, and operations of the Global Optical Network, ensuring seamless interaction with Azure and other Microsoft services across the globe.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical to Microsoft's mission, empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more by providing high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Optical Networking: Design, deploy, and operate optical networking solutions using existing and new optical fiber technologies, including Hollow Core Fiber (HCF).
Global Network Strategy: Collaborate with a wider team to develop a global operations strategy that meets capacity demands driven by AI advancements.
Automation Platforms: Create automation platforms to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.
Capacity Management: Monitor and manage network capacity to meet growing demands from Azure and other Microsoft services.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with various teams, including engineers, to ensure a highly available network that meets Microsoft's global connectivity needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of optical networking solutions and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve global network goals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Relevant industry certifications are a plus.

Experience: Proven experience in optical networking, with a strong background in network design, operations, and automation. Familiarity with Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) is desirable.

Required Skills:

Optical Networking
Network Design
Network Operations
Automation
Collaboration
Global Strategy
High Availability
Capacity Management
AI Integration

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Hollow Core Fiber (HCF)
Knowledge of Microsoft Azure and other cloud platforms
Familiarity with global network operations and strategies
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the global nature of this role, candidates with experience in global network operations and strategies may have an advantage.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Network Design Projects: Include examples of optical network designs, highlighting your understanding of Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) and other relevant technologies.
Automation Platforms: Showcase your experience in creating automation platforms, demonstrating your ability to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.
Capacity Management Projects: Provide examples of how you've managed network capacity to meet growing demands, with a focus on AI-driven growth.

Technical Documentation:

Network Diagrams: Include detailed network diagrams illustrating your design and deployment processes.
Automation Scripts: Provide examples of automation scripts or platforms you've developed to optimize network operations.
Capacity Management Reports: Include reports demonstrating your capacity management strategies and their impact on network performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a traditional web portfolio may not apply to this role, candidates should be prepared to present their network design, automation, and capacity management projects with a strong focus on user experience and performance optimization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (Based on market research and experience level)

Benefits:

Competitive salary and benefits package
Stock grants and bonuses
Comprehensive health benefits
Retirement savings plans
Employee stock purchase plan
Generous time off and paid holidays
Employee discounts on Microsoft products and services

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on market research and experience level. Benefits are based on Microsoft's standard benefits package for full-time employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Microsoft operates in the technology industry, with a focus on empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more through its platforms and services.

Company Size: Microsoft is a large corporation with over 180,000 employees worldwide, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, with a mission to put a computer on every desk and in every home.

Team Structure:

Azure Fiber Team: This team is responsible for the design, buildout, and operations of the Global Optical Network, ensuring seamless interaction with Azure and other Microsoft services across the globe.
Collaborative Environment: The team works closely with various groups, including engineers, to ensure a highly available network that meets Microsoft's global connectivity needs.

Development Methodology:

Agile/Scrum Methodologies: The team follows Agile/Scrum methodologies, with regular sprint planning and code reviews to ensure high-quality network solutions.
Automation and CI/CD: The team emphasizes automation and CI/CD pipelines to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.

Company Website: Microsoft

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's company culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on empowering users and driving growth through its platforms and services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high level of expertise in optical networking, network design, and operations.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Azure Fiber team lead, with a matrixed reporting structure to other teams, including engineering and operations.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on Microsoft's global connectivity, ensuring high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services, including Azure, Teams, Xbox, Office, Bing, and OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: With experience and strong performance, candidates may have the opportunity to move into technical leadership roles, driving global network strategy and operations.
Emerging Technologies: As AI demands continue to grow, candidates may have the opportunity to specialize in emerging technologies and drive innovation in optical networking.
Global Experience: Working in a global role, candidates may have the opportunity to gain international experience and develop their skills in global network operations and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the global nature of this role, candidates with experience in global network operations and strategies may have an advantage in driving growth and innovation in optical networking.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Microsoft's Dublin office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity.

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:

Collaborative Workspace: The office features open-plan workspaces, encouraging collaboration and communication among team members.
Specialized Equipment: The team has access to specialized equipment and tools to support their work in optical networking and network operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The team works closely with various groups, including engineers, to ensure a highly available network that meets Microsoft's global connectivity needs.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines. The team may be required to work outside of regular business hours to ensure network availability and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's Dublin office is designed to support a collaborative and innovative work environment, with a strong focus on user experience and performance optimization.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss the role, responsibilities, and expectations.
Technical Deep Dive: A detailed discussion of your experience and skills in optical networking, network design, and operations.
Behavioral Questions: A series of behavioral questions to assess your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability.
Final Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders to discuss your fit for the role and the team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Network Design Projects: Highlight your experience in designing optical networks, with a focus on Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) and other relevant technologies.
Automation Platforms: Showcase your experience in creating automation platforms, demonstrating your ability to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.
Capacity Management Projects: Provide examples of how you've managed network capacity to meet growing demands, with a focus on AI-driven growth.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Network Design Exercise: Prepare for a network design exercise, demonstrating your ability to design and deploy optical networking solutions using existing and new optical fiber technologies.
Capacity Management Scenario: Prepare for a capacity management scenario, demonstrating your ability to manage network capacity to meet growing demands driven by AI advancements.
Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare for problem-solving scenarios, demonstrating your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure a highly available network that meets Microsoft's global connectivity needs.

ATS Keywords:

Optical Networking
Hollow Core Fiber
Network Design
Network Operations
Automation
Collaboration
Global Strategy
High Availability
Capacity Management
AI Integration
Microsoft Azure
Cloud Platforms
Global Network Operations
Network Strategy

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's technical expertise in optical networking, network design, and operations, as well as their ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Optical Fiber Technologies:

Hollow Core Fiber (HCF)
Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)
Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF)
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM)

Networking Equipment:

Optical Line Terminals (OLTs)
Optical Network Units (ONUs)
Optical Cross-Connects (OXCs)
Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (OADMs)
Optical Switches

Automation Tools:

Ansible
Puppet
Chef
SaltStack
Microsoft Azure Automation

Monitoring Tools:

Nagios
Zabbix
Prometheus
Microsoft Azure Monitor
Datadog

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on optical fiber technologies, networking equipment, and automation tools to support the design, deployment, and operation of optical networking solutions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Microsoft Values:

Customer Obsessed: We put our customers first, understanding their needs and creating solutions that meet those needs.
One Microsoft: We work together as one team, collaborating across functions and boundaries to achieve our goals.
Growth Mindset: We embrace a growth mindset, continuously learning and improving to drive innovation and success.
Inclusive: We foster an inclusive culture, valuing diversity and promoting a sense of belonging for all employees.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Collaboration: The team works closely with various groups, including engineers, to ensure a highly available network that meets Microsoft's global connectivity needs.
Agile/Scrum Methodologies: The team follows Agile/Scrum methodologies, with regular sprint planning and code reviews to ensure high-quality network solutions.
Automation and CI/CD: The team emphasizes automation and CI/CD pipelines to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Microsoft's team culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on empowering users and driving growth through its platforms and services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Optical Network Design: Designing and deploying optical networking solutions using existing and new optical fiber technologies, including Hollow Core Fiber (HCF).
Capacity Management: Managing network capacity to meet growing demands driven by AI advancements.
Global Network Strategy: Developing a global operations strategy that meets capacity demands and ensures high availability.
Automation Platforms: Creating automation platforms to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Emerging Technologies: As AI demands continue to grow, candidates may have the opportunity to specialize in emerging technologies and drive innovation in optical networking.
Global Experience: Working in a global role, candidates may have the opportunity to gain international experience and develop their skills in global network operations and strategies.
Technical Leadership: With experience and strong performance, candidates may have the opportunity to move into technical leadership roles, driving global network strategy and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the global nature of this role, candidates with experience in global network operations and strategies may have an advantage in driving growth and innovation in optical networking.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Optical Networking: Questions related to optical networking solutions, including Hollow Core Fiber (HCF), network design, and operations.
Capacity Management: Questions related to managing network capacity to meet growing demands driven by AI advancements.
Global Network Strategy: Questions related to developing a global operations strategy that meets capacity demands and ensures high availability.
Automation Platforms: Questions related to creating automation platforms to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.

Company & Culture Questions:

Microsoft Values: Questions related to Microsoft's values, including customer obsession, one Microsoft, growth mindset, and inclusivity.
Team Collaboration: Questions related to cross-functional collaboration and working with various teams, including engineers, to ensure a highly available network that meets Microsoft's global connectivity needs.
Agile Methodologies: Questions related to Agile/Scrum methodologies, automation, and CI/CD pipelines.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Network Design Projects: Present your experience in designing optical networks, with a focus on Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) and other relevant technologies.
Automation Platforms: Showcase your experience in creating automation platforms, demonstrating your ability to optimize network operations and ensure high availability.
Capacity Management Projects: Provide examples of how you've managed network capacity to meet growing demands, with a focus on AI-driven growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's technical expertise in optical networking, network design, and operations, as well as their ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Cloud Network Engineering - Azure Fiber position:

Submit Your Application: Submit your application through the application link provided on the job listing.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Prepare your portfolio, highlighting your experience in designing optical networks, creating automation platforms, and managing network capacity.
Research Microsoft: Research Microsoft's values, team culture, and global network operations to ensure a strong fit for the role and the company.
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Prepare for technical interviews, focusing on your expertise in optical networking, network design, and operations, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

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

Senior Cloud Network Engineering - Azure Fiber