Overview
Microsoft’s Discovery and Quantum (MDQ) division develops and delivers advanced artificial intelligence (AI), cloud-enabled capabilities, and strategic technologies to help solve the world’s major challenges. From accelerating scientific discovery with advanced AI tools, to pioneering breakthroughs in quantum computing, to advancing robotics and AI capabilities that drive real-world impact, joining MDQ means building the future, partnering with fast-moving innovators, and operating in a high-impact, mission-driven environment.
At Microsoft Robotics within MDQ, we build and deploy technologies that enable people, robots, and AI agents to collaborate and achieve more.
We are building Microsoft’s platform for physical intelligence—an integrated robotics software and AI platform that brings together humans, robots, and agents through robotics AI models, innovative teaming solutions and experiences, physically grounded agentic AI workflows, trustworthy test and evaluation, and real-world customer-focused validation. Built on Microsoft’s core platforms and delivered through and with a global ecosystem of partners and customers, this platform accelerates AI for the physical world and helps robotics solutions move from experimentation to reliable, scaled deployment.
We are hiring a **Member of Technical Staff, Microsoft Robotics (Field Robotics) **at the hardware engineer II level, to plan, execute, and analyze field tests of robotic systems across real-world deployment environments. This role serves as the critical bridge between laboratory development and production readiness, ensuring that robots, AI models, and platform software and interfaces perform reliably under real operating conditions. The engineer will deploy robots to customer and partner sites, design and execute structured test protocols, collect performance and telemetry data, diagnose field issues, and gather and implement actionable feedback, and work with engineering teams to drive continuous improvement of hardware, software, and AI capabilities.
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.
#MicrosoftRobotics #MDQ
Responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate, and execute field test campaigns for robotic systems across diverse real-world environments, including customer sites, partner facilities, and first-party scenarios, ranging from indoor semi-structured settings to unstructured outdoor terrains, that replicate operational conditions.
- Develop and maintain structured field test protocols, acceptance criteria, data collection procedures, and reporting templates that ensure repeatable, measurable evaluation of robot hardware, software, and AI model performance.
- Deploy, configure, and operate robotic platforms in the field, including hardware setup, software provisioning, network configuration, sensor calibration, and integration with site-specific infrastructure.
- Collect, organize, and analyze field test data including sensor logs, telemetry streams, performance metrics, video recordings, and environmental measurements, producing clear and actionable test reports for engineering and program leadership.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot field issues across the full robot stack (mechanical, electrical, software, networking, AI behavior), performing initial root cause analysis and resolving complex issues alongside engineering teams with well-documented reproduction steps.
- Collaborate with hardware engineers, software engineers, AI researchers, and program managers to communicate and integrate field findings, prioritize bug fixes and design improvements, and validate engineering changes through follow-up field testing.
- Identify and provide feedback on process gaps in field deployment and test procedures, sharing best practices broadly across the team and contributing to continuous improvement of field operations readiness.
- Maintain detailed documentation around field deployment procedures, site-specific configurations, inventory management, and service support workflows.
- Participate in test triage and review meetings to share knowledge, actively contribute to faster issue resolution, and identify readiness needs for upcoming field campaigns.
- Assist in the development of end-to-end readiness programs, including mentoring, knowledge sharing, technical document creation, and development of field operations training materials.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 2+ years technical engineering experience
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:
- Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Hands-on experience deploying, operating, or testing robotic systems, autonomous vehicles, drones, or complex electromechanical systems in field or operational environments.
- Familiarity with common robotic systems implementations, including robotics middleware (ROS/ROS2), Linux-based systems, sensor suites (cameras, LiDAR, IMUs), and robot debugging and data visualization tools.
- Experience with structured test planning, acceptance testing, or verification and validation (V&V) methodologies for hardware-software integrated systems.
- Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages for test automation, data analysis, and log processing.
- Strong documentation skills with experience producing technical test reports, field deployment guides, and issue tracking documentation.
- Willingness and ability to travel to customer and partner sites and work in varied physical environments including warehouses, labs, and outdoor settings.
Hardware Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100.00 - $202,200.00 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 $133,800.00 - $219,200.00 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.**