Software Engineer 2 - Firmware

Overview

The Surface Post Launch Engineering (PLE) team is seeking a Software Engineer II to contribute to system integration and firmware development for in-market Microsoft devices. The role focuses on integrating firmware, improving boot, performance, power, stability, and security for shipping Windows devices. You will work closely with hardware, OS, validation, and security partners to resolve real customer-impacting issues.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to system integration activities for in-market devices.
• Develop, debug, and maintain firmware components including MCU, boot flows and device initialization.
• Investigate and resolve system-level issues across firmware, drivers, and hardware interfaces.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality firmware updates.
• Assist with performance, power, and boot-time optimizations.
• Follow engineering best practices for code quality, validation, and documentation.
  
  

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 3+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and deep familiarity with UEFI specification and firmware architecture.
• Proven experience enabling AI workloads on devices, including firmware support for NPUs/GPUs (initialization, power/thermal, memory and QoS, boot config, secure paths).
• Experience with ACPI and ASL programming and debugging; ability to author and troubleshoot ACPI methods and tables.
• Hands-on experience with debugging tools such as JTAG, serial consoles, and logic analyzers; strong low-level debugging skills.
• Solid understanding of computer architecture and hardware interfaces (e.g., I2C, SPI, PCIe, USB).
  
  

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.
  
  

• 4+ years of overall experience in system software or firmware development, with significant ownership of UEFI/BIOS projects or firmware upgrades.
• Experience with ARM and/or x86 platforms.
• Familiarity with Windows OS internals and ACPI.
• Exposure to secure boot, measured boot, and firmware security concepts.
• Experience with on-device ML/AI frameworks (e.g., ONNX Runtime, TFLite), model deployment pipelines, and performance profiling for inference workloads.
• Understanding of AI accelerator programming models, firmware-level drivers, and coordination between firmware and OS drivers for power/thermal/QoS.
• Strong problem-solving, architectural thinking, and mentoring skills; experience working in Agile teams.
  
  

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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.