Microsoft
Design for Excellence II Engineer
Hardware & Manufacturing Engineer working on the Surface & Xbox Controller product lines
Tags: Hardware Engineering, Product Design, Research
🛠️ Designing for Manufacturability and Impact
At Microsoft, I worked on the Surface Duo 2, Surface Pro 9, and Xbox Controllers, operating at the intersection of engineering feasibility and product realization. My role revolved around design for manufacturing (DFM), helping internal and external teams align on design specs, solve technical issues early, and scale ideas across validation cycles.
One standout project involved a $29M cost-saving opportunity where I led PCB and surface finish redesigns. I also initiated a training portal redesign using Figma and SharePoint to streamline access to learning resources, boosting internal productivity by 35%.
I wasn’t just solving manufacturing problems—I was creating scalable, data-informed experiences for both internal teams and end users.
Fig 1. The Microsoft Surface Duo 2
Fig 2. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Fig 3. The Xbox Elite Controller, Series 2
🧠 How This Shaped Me as a Product Designer
Learned to identify edge cases and resolve complexity through iteration, a mindset that translates directly to UI/UX workflows.
Gained deep respect for system-level design and scalability, especially in complex ecosystems like Microsoft's.
Built confidence in data-driven storytelling, turning metrics into design rationale and stakeholder buy-in.
At Microsoft, I realized that designing a product isn't enough—it must be buildable, scalable, and maintainable for real-world impact.
