Optical Engineer, Azure Fiber Research - Advanced Characterisation

Azure Fiber is looking for an Optical Engineer to join its team of experts in developing the next generation of optical fibers for cloud computing. As an optical engineer, the candidate will support the Azure Fiber research team, in an effort to develop innovative hollow core fiber products with improved performance, reliability and cost.

The position will be based in the Southampton (UK) area, between the Microsoft Azure Fiber labs in Romsey and the state-of-the-art cleanroom facility at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton. The optical engineer will have access to world-class resources and expertise in optical fiber research and development, and will have the opportunity to shape the future of optical networking and cloud computing at Microsoft Azure.

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 Electrical Engineering, Fiber Optics Engineering, Physics, or a related field AND technical experience in fiber optics-based devices or optical fiber characterization
  • OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Fiber Optics Engineering, Physics, or a related field AND technical experience in fiber optics-based devices or optical fiber characterization
  • OR Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Fiber Optics Engineering, Physics, or a related field

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:

• Technical experience with a focus on optical fiber characterization and innovation
• Experience with optical fiber characterization, using optical and mechanical methods and tools, such as optical spectrum analyzers, reflectometers, interferometers, and tensile testers
• Prior experience in the characterization of hollow core fibers

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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• You will characterize the optical performance of novel hollow core fibers, such as loss, dispersion, modal purity and uniformity
• You will develop bespoke fiber and cable test methods uniquely suited for hollow-core optical fibers using for example, reflectometry, interferometric techniques, and spectral analysis
• You will automate and speed up the characterization process by designing and implementing software and hardware solutions that can handle large data sets and perform real-time measurements
• You will collaborate with other optical engineers and researchers to share knowledge and feedback on fiber design and performance
• You will report on the results and findings of the characterization experiments and providing recommendations for improvement
• You will write and update procedure manuals and documentation for the characterization methods and equipment