Overview

Join Microsoft Azure’s Firmware Center of Excellence (FW CoE) and play a critical role in building virtual platforms for next‑generation custom silicon. In this role, you’ll work at the intersection of hardware and software, developing high‑fidelity virtual SoC platforms that enable software development long before physical silicon exists.

You will design and implement SystemC‑based SoC models along with the firmware that runs on them, helping accelerate bring‑up, validation, and system integration across Azure silicon programs. Your work will directly impact the speed, quality, and scalability of cloud‑scale hardware development.

This role offers a rare opportunity to develop and validate software before physical silicon exists, working at the intersection of hardware and software on cutting‑edge cloud infrastructure. You’ll play a key role in shaping the future of cloud‑scale custom silicon and virtual platforms, collaborating with experts across firmware, architecture, and validation to accelerate innovation across Azure’s silicon programs.

If you have a growth mindset, enjoy working in a fun environment, and would love to team up with a talented group of individuals from diverse backgrounds and with diverse skillsets, then we would love you to join us.

Responsibilities

• With guidance, designs hardware models and corresponding validation firmware/software for various components of silicon, including boot ROMs, PCIE, USB, and Compute Clusters.
• Integrates HW Models into larger SOC Simulation and performs system level validation.
• Collaborates with teammates in all aspects of software/firmware design and development while learning from industry experts.
• Writes low‑level firmware and validation software that runs on virtual platforms.
• Debugs complex hardware/software interactions using tools such as GDB and simulation trace infrastructure.

Qualifications Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline with proven experience coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, or Python,
• 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

• Experience with C and/or C++.
• Demonstrated interested in developing low-level software interfacing with hardware.
• Knowledge of operating systems including drivers, memory management, boot loaders, and scheduling.
• Demonstrated debugging skills with GDB or equivalent.
• Experience with SystemC, including industry standard simulators like Virtualizer or Helium.
• Experience with scripting languages including Python and/or Powershell.

#IC2SWE #EiP

Software Engineering IC2 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $84,200 - $165,200 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 $109,000 - $180,400 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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.