Senior Fiber Fabrication R&D Engineer

Microsoft Azure Fiber is leading the next revolution in optical fiber technology. The implementation of Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) technology is set to become pivotal to the future of Azure's Global Optical Network. Azure Fiber is positioned for significant expansion, emphasising Hollow Core Fiber and Cable. This growth is propelled by the continuous success of Cloud Services and the increasing demand in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The development and deployment of HCF technology will ensure that every Microsoft customer benefits from our infrastructure's high-quality, secure, and reliable connectivity to all Microsoft services.

The advanced R&D team at Azure Fiber, Romsey (UK) is seeking exceptional candidates to work on the development and manufacturing of the next-generation Hollow Core Fibers. Leveraging demonstrated technology, you will contribute in first person to designing highly innovative fabrication approaches and will demonstrate robust and reliable upscaled processes for glass preform manufacturing and high-volume fiber drawing. You will work in the world's first, fully dedicated Hollow Core fiber fabrication facility in Romsey, UK and you will contribute to defining the new state-of-the-art for fiber fabrication equipment. You will join a focused team of R&D scientists and engineers and work in close cross-functional collaboration with design, engineering, test, production, and application teams to successfully transfer products into volume manufacturing. This role provides a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of optical fiber research.

Responsibilities:

• The role will have direct responsibility to drive forward the R&D of upscaled processes for glass materials and preform manufacturing, and fiber drawing.
• Have direct responsibility for the design and demonstration of new Hollow Core fiber fabrication processes, including producing project implementation schedules and taking responsibility for key aspects of project execution.
• Research novel, reliable and scalable manufacturing methods for optical fiber preforms and hollow core optical fibers and validate them with minimal guidance. Provide recommendations to project team members as to which approaches are most successful.
• Operate state-of-the-art optical fiber manufacturing equipment in a safety conscious and quality focused environment.
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers on the development of new, improved equipment and apparatus. May be required to travel to suppliers for factory acceptance tests and to create reports and recommendations. Propose, implement and test hardware modifications of fiber fabrication equipment to enable new processes.
• Use data, statistical and root cause analyses to identify complex problems or flaws that may affect a novel process. Identify possible solutions and bring them to the attention of other R&D engineers or team leaders.
• Follow established procedures to create detailed reports, operating procedures, and process control requirements, in support of technology transfer to engineering and production teams.
• Contribute in first person, and visibly support, the establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND technical engineering experience OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience. Previous experience of manufacturing R&D in photonics, semiconductors, sensing technologies or related technology areas. Demonstrated proficiency in innovative development of manufacturing processes, preferably of optical fibers or optical planar waveguides. Demonstrated ability to interpret and understand the underlying science in complex multi-step fabrication processes.

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:

• Master's or PhD in Optics/Photonics, Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or a related subject.
• Previous experience of optical fiber manufacturing processes/equipment and experience in the operation and use of high value capital equipment.
• Knowledge of cleanroom working environments and disciplines and practical knowledge of optical fibers and their properties.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

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.