• Principal Firmware Engineer (Silicon Modeling)

    Microsoft Corporation (Boise, ID)


    We’re looking for individuals to help us develop full SOC Models of Microsoft’s custom silicon using SystemC and industry standard simulation tools, along with corresponding validation firmware and software. 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

    As a member of Microsoft Azure’s FW CoE, you directly impact future silicon development in Azure through:

    + Architecting Models and corresponding validation firmware/software for various components of silicon, from boot ROMs, PCIE, USB, and Compute Clusters.

    + Leading the technical development of models, firmware and software.

    + Mentoring junior engineers in aspects of software design and firmware and learning from industry experts.

    + Working with a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds and with diverse skillsets.

    Qualifications

    Required Qualifications:

    + Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience

    + OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience

    + OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience

    + OR equivalent experience.

    + Experience in firmware development and/or silicon modeling 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:

    + Expertise with C or C++.

    + Experience with SystemC

    + Passion for developing low-level software interfacing with hardware.

    + Ability to take ambitious and ambiguous goals and develop requirements, timelines, software architecture, and APIs to ensure delivery and provide management with regular updates.

    + Knowledge of operating systems including drivers, memory management, boot loaders, and scheduling.

    + Excellent debugging skills with GDB or equivalent.

    Definite pluses:

    + Experience with industry standard SystemC simulators like Virtualizer or Helium

    + Experience with scripting languages: Python, Powershell

    + Experience developing firmware in pre-silicon environments.

    + Shipped products running firmware or embedded software you’ve written.

    + Experience with one or more of these: drivers, DMA, PCIe, NVMe, image video decoders, networking controllers, memory controllers/training, boot flows, or power management.

     

    Firmware Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $251,900 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 $165,600 - $272,300 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.

     

    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) .