Principal Electrical Engineering System Architect
Microsoft
Other Engineering, IT
USD 139,900-274,800 / year
Posted on Oct 16, 2025
Principal Electrical Engineering System Architect
Redmond, Washington, United States
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Date posted
Oct 15, 2025
Job number
1892736
Work site
4 days / week in-office
Travel
0-25 %
Role type
Individual Contributor
Profession
Hardware Engineering
Discipline
Electrical Engineering
Employment type
Full-Time
Overview
The Microsoft Surface Devices team is on a mission to deliver iconic end-to-end products across hardware, software, and services that people trust and rely on every day. Central to this mission is ensuring highly performant devices that leverage next generation technologies, especially in the development of system architecture. The Surface team is hiring a Principal Electrical Engineering System Architect to architect and lead the vision for secure, revolutionary devices that enable experiences people can’t live without.
As a Principal Electrical Engineering System Architect, you will lead the architecture and integration of complex electrical systems for next-generation hardware platforms. This role involves defining system-level design strategies, technical specifications, and implementation plans for System on Chip (SOC) integration, power delivery, and thermal optimization. You will develop and validate high-fidelity models, author technical documentation, and establish performance and reliability benchmarks. In addition, you will guide cross-functional teams through subsystem bring-up, prototype development, and design verification, ensuring alignment across silicon vendors, Operating System (OS) partners, and internal engineering teams.
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.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience
- OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience
- OR equivalent experience.
- 8+ years in electrical system architecture for consumer or enterprise hardware.
- Experience collaborating effectively with cross-company teams and influencing decision-making to deliver electrical solutions that meet efficiency and performance benchmarks.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experienceo OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 9+ years technical engineering experience
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field AND 11+ years technical engineering experience
- OR equivalent experience.
- 10+ years in electrical system architecture for consumer or enterprise hardware.
- Expertise in SOC integration, power delivery, and thermal systems.
- Proven simulation, signal integrity, and board-level design skills.
- Experience with Windows client platforms and technologies.
Electrical Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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 October 24, 2025.
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Responsibilities
- Architect electrical systems for platforms and products including covering SOC integration, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) co-packaging, Universal Flash Storage (UFS) storage, and secure Input/Output (I/O).
- Lead power delivery and thermal architecture, including survivability metrics and battery life modeling.
- Drive subsystem architecture reviews, milestone alignment, and bring-up goals across programs.
- Enable advanced features such as adaptive charging, auto-lock, and repairability.
- Collaborate with silicon vendors, OS teams, and internal stakeholders to influence roadmap decisions.
- Author and maintain technical documentation including Power Delivery Network (PDN) impedance modeling and performance testing.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.
Industry leading healthcare
Educational resources
Discounts on products and services
Savings and investments
Maternity and paternity leave
Generous time away
Giving programs
Opportunities to network and connect
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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.