Microsoft’s Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a Principal Architect on the Systems Architecture & Engineering team within the CTO Office of CO+I, you will be responsible for responding to future market and business requirements to designing new data center architectures and product solutions that enable new capabilities and improve the performance, efficiency, and reliability of Microsoft's data centers. You will work with a cross-functional team of engineers, researchers, and business partners to identify customer needs, generate innovative ideas, and deliver high-quality solutions. You will also collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to ensure alignment with Microsoft's standards and specifications. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our Datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider. In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. + This role is located either in one or all hub locations - Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Redmond, WA, San Antonio, TX or Phoenix, AZ. + Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates must ​relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location. + This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, up to 100%. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. **Responsibilities** + Provide visionary leadership for the design team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. + Build and maintain strong relationships with internal Partners & stakeholders, understanding their requirements and objectives to deliver compelling and impactful design solutions. + Act as the primary point of contact for major programs and projects, ensuring clear communication and satisfaction. + Oversee innovative design projects from pre-programming through concept/schematic design, including technical analysis, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and business case. + Maintain awareness and understanding of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive insights. Incorporate innovative and impactful solutions that ensure technical and business roadmap alignment. + Work closely in a technical leadership role with our cross-functional Systems Architecture Team of Datacenter Architects, Technical Program/Project Managers and Systems Engineers on developing new, innovative, scalable and comprehensive datacenter designs that align to Microsoft CO+I technical & business requirements and roadmaps. + Lead all architectural aspects of certain, strategic, early datacenter project phase design developments including pre-programming/programming, conceptual design, schematic design and basis of design narrative documents. + Clearly articulate design objectives, purpose, rationale, options and roadmaps for continuous improvement and maximum value propositions + Lead or co-lead Civil, Structural and Architectural Consultant design development workgroups to ensure adherence to the CO+I design principles and requirements. + Collaborate with Partner teams, internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, fabricators, suppliers etc. to meet overall project objectives + Apply a systematic approach to understanding the challenges, constraints and risks in the current plan of record and identify new design options that can enable opportunities for continuous improvement. + Investigate and research technical issues to establish facts, discover and develop alternatives to help resolve complex design and engineering challenges with innovative and practical solutions. + Be accountable for comprehensive technical and comparative analysis between the plan of record designs and emerging innovations to communicate where advantages and opportunities for growth can be enabled. + Lead the development and delivery of impactful 2D and 3D illustrative presentations, infographics and narratives that help to deliver the key storylines around the past, present context and future improvement pathways for leadership and stakeholders. + Excel with innovation in design domains that can often be ambiguous, unclear and that have future horizons where business and technology changes are to be expected. + Embody our culture and values . **Qualifications** **Required Qualifications:** + Bachelor's degree in Architecture AND 8+ years of technical architecture experienceo OR Master's degree in Architecture, AND 7+ years of technical architecture experienceo OR equivalent experience **Other Requirements:** + 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 Qualifications** + Registered Professional Architect + 12+ years of experience in architecture/engineering with at least 5 years in a leadership role + 7+ years of experience in mission critical projects (Datacenters, Laboratories and/or Micro-Electronics projects or similar) + Proven track record of delivering successful, innovative design outcomes that have had a significant impact on client satisfaction and business growth. + Exceptional portfolio showcasing a variety of design projects, highlighting innovative approaches and successful client solutions. + Strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and project management methodologies. + Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate design concepts and decisions effectively to clients and teams. + Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously. + Experience using MS Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, MS Project, Visio, and Excel including effective reporting/presentations of project information + Experience operating CAD, Sketchup, Revit drawing review and adjustments is desirable + Experience with cross-disciplined systems design (electrical, IT/Telecom, supervisory control and data acquisition). + Experience in design collaboration with datacenter thermal systems design, analysis, and optimization of cooling systems for data center environments, hydronics, cooling distribution, liquid to liquid and liquid to air heat exchangers. + Experience in design collaboration with datacenter electrical systems design, energy back-up and uninterrupted power supply, medium voltage switch gear, low voltage power distribution Hardware Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $294,000 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay Microsoft will accept applications for the role until February 28, 2025. \#COICareers Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .