Job Description:
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.
