Principal Software Engineer - Firmware/Embedded

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Are you passionate about creating cutting-edge devices? Surface Team is dedicated to building powerful devices that empower individuals and organizations. We’re working on the next generation of Surface products, and we need talented individuals like you!

We’re seeking a skilled engineer to enhance customer experiences via Sensors based solutions. As a lead engineer in the team, you’ll guide a team of engineers that will shape feature definitions, select platforms, develop algorithms, and implement code for high-volume consumer products. You’ll drive collaboration with electrical engineers, system engineers, UX designers, software architects, and other firmware engineers to define our product roadmap.

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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science OR related technical field AND 10+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++.
• At least 15 years of experience in software development of which 5+ years contributing to Sensors and related algorithm development for consumer PCs or electronics.
• Excellent C/C++ design, coding and debugging skills.
• Track-record of shipping high volume consumer products and having been through at least two development cycles.
• Ability to quickly ramp up on complex and unfamiliar code.

Other Requirements

Candidates must be able to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements that 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

• Provide technical leadership and build talent to ensure the overall health of the team by developing and mentoring team members while helping them grow both technically and professionally.
• Experience dealing with geographically diverse teams.
• Responsible for driving/contributing to product milestones and reviews.
• Work with development partners across organizational boundaries to launch high-volume consumer electronics products.
• High tolerance for ambiguity and ability to make progress in the face of it.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across multiple disciplines and functions (PM, Test, Hardware etc.).
• Understanding of SoC architectures, embedded firmware, Windows/Linux OS internals, multimedia domain (Audio/Video/Camera/Graphics), server and client components, end-to-end system testing.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and other higher-level languages, including tools like Matlab. Familiarity with host-level application programming is a plus.
• Knowledge of 8-32 bit microprocessors, hardware buses such as USB, PCIe, I2C, SPI, and other interconnect buses which appear in consumer electronics devices.
• Strong debugging skills for modern multiprocessor systems, including using hardware-level analysers, debuggers and diagnostic tools.
• Understanding of device drivers and kernel programming.
• Enthusiastic, motivated and self-driven.
• Familiarity with Asia high-volume manufacturers is a plus.

• Lead a team of high-caliber engineers, ensuring project and development excellence and technical leadership.
• Deliver high quality results with full ownership.
• Create a strong culture of engineering excellence, customer passion, collaboration, diversity and inclusion.
• Hire and develop the best talent.
• Must be self-driven, curious to learn, proactive and result oriented.