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Microsoft Azure Fiber is driving the next optical fiber revolution. Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) technology is set to play a pivotal role in Azure’s future Global Optical Network. With a focus on Hollow Core Fiber and Cable, Azure Fiber is preparing for exponential growth driven by continued Cloud success and new Artificial Intelligence (AI) demands, ensuring that every Microsoft customer can rely on our infrastructure for high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services.

The Azure Fiber advanced R&D team is seeking exceptional candidates to work on the development and manufacturing of next-generation Hollow Core Fibers. Building on demonstrated technology, you will contribute in first person to designing highly innovative fabrication approaches and will demonstrate robust and reliable upscaled processes for glass preform manufacturing and high-volume fiber drawing. You will work in the world’s first, fully dedicated Hollow Core fiber fabrication facility in Romsey, UK and you will contribute to defining the new state-of-the-art for fiber fabrication equipment. You will join a focused team of R&D scientists and engineers and work in close cross-functional collaboration with the design, engineering, test, production, and application teams to successfully transfer products into volume manufacturing. This role provides a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of optical fiber research.

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.

Responsibilities

• Have direct responsibility for the design and demonstration of new Hollow Core fiber fabrication processes.

• Research novel, reliable and scalable manufacturing methods for optical fiber preforms and hollow core optical fibers and validate them with minimal guidance. Provide recommendations to project team members as to which approaches are most successful.

• Operate state-of-the-art optical fiber manufacturing equipment in a safety conscious and quality focused environment.

• Collaborate with equipment suppliers on the development of new, improved equipment and apparatus. May be required to travel to suppliers for factory acceptance tests and to create reports and recommendations.

• Use data, statistical and root cause analyses to identify complex problems or flaws that may affect a novel process. Identify possible solutions and bring them to the attention of other R&D engineers or team leaders.

• Follow established procedures to create detailed reports, operating procedures, and process control requirements, in support of technology transfer to engineering and production teams.

• Contribute in first person, and visibly support, the establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant science or engineering subject area (Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Optical or other Engineering) AND technical science/engineering industrial experience or internship experience in a related field

• OR MSc/MEng (or equivalent) degree in one of the above disciplines

• OR equivalent technical experience in science/engineering in an industrial setting

• Previous experience of manufacturing R&D in photonics, semiconductors, sensing technologies or related area

• Demonstrated proficiency in innovative development of manufacturing processes, preferably of optical fibers or optical planar waveguides

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and understand the underlying science in complex multi-step fabrication processes

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:

• Master's or PhD in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or a related subject

• Previous experience of optical fiber manufacturing processes/equipment

• Knowledge of cleanroom working environments and disciplines

• Experience in the operation and use of high value capital equipment

• Practical knowledge of optical fibers and their properties

• Willingness to travel internationally as required

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

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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) .