Software Engineer II - Power & Systems Validation

Overview Are you passionate about ensuring world-class device reliability and building intelligent systems that validate hardware at scale? Do you want to be part of a fast-paced, data-driven team that ensures millions of users have seamless power and connectivity experiences on their devices every day?

The Surface Fundamentals team at Microsoft owns system-level quality validation across power management, device interoperability, and platform stress testing for next-generation hardware. We ensure that every sleep, wake, reboot, and device connection works flawlessly. Our validation infrastructure spans hundreds of hardware configurations and generates massive datasets that drive ship decisions.

As a Software Engineer II on our team, you would have the opportunity to work on Automated Stress Validation, AI-Powered Test Intelligence, Lab Infrastructure & Tooling and Cross-Platform Interoperability.

We value curiosity, growth, and ownership. We collaborate closely with firmware, driver, Operating System (OS), and silicon partner teams to solve complex cross-stack problems — and we invest in our people by encouraging AI experimentation and continuous learning.

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.

Responsibilities As a Software Quality Engineer II on the Surface Fundamentals team, you will help ensure the reliability and quality of next-generation Surface devices through system-level validation, automation, and data-driven engineering practices. You will own validation areas, drive quality improvements, and collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver world-class customer experiences.

Key responsibilities include:

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and validation solutions for system-level power, performance, connectivity, and interoperability scenarios.
• Own and execute validation strategies for assigned feature areas across multiple hardware and software configurations, identifying product quality risks and driving resolution.
• Analyze telemetry, diagnostic logs, and test results to investigate failures, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop and enhance automation, tooling, and data analysis solutions using Python, PowerShell, C#, or similar technologies to improve test coverage, efficiency, and scalability.
• Apply AI-assisted engineering tools and workflows to improve failure analysis, issue classification, trend identification, and engineering productivity.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of hardware lab infrastructure, device management systems, and validation environments.
• Create dashboards, reports, and quality insights that help engineering teams track validation progress, product health, and quality trends.
• Drive continuous improvements in testing methodologies, automation capabilities, and validation processes.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset, solid engineering ownership, and commitment to Microsoft's Culture and Values.

Qualifications Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 2+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python.

• OR equivalent experience. Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of technical engineering experience with software development, test automation, systems validation, or quality engineering.

• Experience programming in one or more languages such as Python, PowerShell, C, C++, or C#.

• Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and analyzing complex software or hardware-related issues.

• 3+ years of experience in software quality engineering, test automation, systems validation, or related engineering disciplines.

• Experience designing and implementing automated test solutions and validation frameworks.

• Experience using AI-assisted development tools, LLM-based workflows, or machine learning techniques to improve engineering productivity and analysis.

• Knowledge of Windows internals, power management (ACPI), USB technologies, device drivers, storage, and hardware validation methodologies.

• Experience working with hardware platforms, embedded systems, device interoperability testing, or large-scale engineering labs.

• Familiarity with Azure DevOps, Git, Power BI, data analytics platforms, and CI/CD methodologies.

• Solid problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize work, collaborate across teams, and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced engineering environment.

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Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 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 $133,800 - $219,200 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

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.