Principal Optical Scientist in Cambridge

Overview At Microsoft Research, we are shaping the future of AI infrastructure by pursuing high-risk and high-reward programs that will define the next generation of AI platforms. Our work spans the full stack, models, systems, software, and hardware, and we partner with product teams across Microsoft to turn research breakthroughs into impact at scale. Through close collaboration with industry partners, the team bridges research and production, translating hardware innovation into working prototypes and manufacturable solutions for next-generation AI infrastructure. You will join a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of optics, electronics, photonics, packaging, networking, and AI system design. As a Principal Optical Scientist, you will be a core technical contributor responsible for designing, modelling, and optimizing optical systems across the team’s portfolio of photonic technologies for AI infrastructure. Your scope will be broad: from optical interconnect architectures and co-packaged optics to fibre coupling solutions, free-space beam delivery systems, and emerging photonic concepts. You will operate at every stage of the development cycle, from early-stage research and concept exploration through to detailed design, prototyping, lab characterisation, and partner engagement. You will develop optical models and simulations, define performance specifications and link budgets, build and test prototype assemblies, and work closely with external industry partners to translate research insights into manufacturable components. This opportunity will allow you to shape the optical foundations of next-generation AI systems, build deep expertise across a uniquely diverse range of photonic technologies, and develop a strong industry network through hands-on collaboration with leading hardware partners.

Responsibilities

• Define and advance a research agenda for photonic technologies. You will identify research gaps and state-of-the-art developments across optical interconnects, fibre optics, free-space systems, and co-packaged optics. You will lead and contribute to projects that yield new insights, prototypes, and technologies, shaping the team’s long-term technical strategy in photonics for AI.
• Lead optical design and simulation across multiple projects. You will design, model, and optimise optical subsystems for a range of AI interconnect technologies — including lens systems, coupling interfaces, beam delivery optics, and fibre-based solutions. Using tools such as Zemax, MATLAB, and Python, you will explore design spaces, perform tolerance analysis, and build link budgets that guide hardware development from concept through to prototype.
• Define optical specifications, performance budgets, and test methodologies. You will own optical requirements from initial concept through to prototype validation, writing detailed specifications for components and assemblies, designing characterisation experiments, and leading lab-based performance assessment to ensure that optical subsystems meet demanding performance, manufacturability, and reliability targets.
• Collaborate with external industry partners to co-develop optical components and drive production roadmaps. You will expand and manage relationships with glass and fibre suppliers, connector manufacturers, coating houses, and photonics companies — translating research requirements into component specifications, evaluating vendor capabilities, and contributing to strategic sourcing decisions that bridge research to production.
• Publish research and represent Microsoft in the photonics community. You will disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading conferences, contribute to patent filings and white papers, and represent the team in external forums to strengthen Microsoft’s reputation and network in photonics for AI infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Required/Minimum Qualifications
• Doctorate in Optics, Photonics, Physics, OR equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in optical system design, modelling, and simulation using industry-standard tools (e.g., ZemaxOpticStudio, or equivalent ray-tracing/wave-optics software), combined with proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB for optical modelling, data analysis, and design automation.
• Hands-on experience in building, aligning, and characterising optical systems in a laboratory environment, including techniques such as insertion loss measurement, beam profiling, interferometry, and optical system alignment.
• Ability to operate effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, including the skill to clearly communicate technical results and justify assumptions to diverse technical audiences.
• Additional or Preferred Qualifications
• Experience across multiple areas of optical engineering, including fibre optics and specialty fibres, coupling, mode-field matching, connector and termination design, free-space optical systems (relay optics, expanded beam systems, beam steering, alignment-tolerant architectures), and photonic devices or components for optical communications, interconnects, or sensing.
• Strong publication record in refereed journals and/or conference proceedings in applied photonics, optical engineering, or a related field, and/or a patent portfolio demonstrating innovation in optical design. Experience presenting at top conferences (e.g., OFC, CLEO, Photonics West, ECOC).
• Experience collaborating with external partners, suppliers, or manufacturing teams to co-develop optical components, translate research designs into production-ready specifications, and manage technical supplier relationships.

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.