The Xbox One slim release date could be set this year, with news of the console's latest iteration. Microsoft and Sony have a tradition of releasing slim versions of consoles as upgrades to current generations, and it's expected Microsoft will be the first to do the same with the Xbox One.

The news was suggested by Microsoft's job posting for a Senior Electrical Engineer, dedicated for the Xbox One division. The specifics of the job requirement hints the company is considering the future of the console sooner than expected.

"Specifying, designing (schematic capture, PCB layout, BOM, cost analysis), implementing and verifying electrical subsystems on the motherboard," as well as "developing electrical solutions, implementing, verifying and supporting in production" were included in the requirements.

Gamescabin.com reports the technical details of the job post refer to new hardware being developed for the Xbox One, which requires someone "implementing and verifying electrical subsystems on the motherboard," and "learn, analyze and implement new interfaces and subsystems."

It's expected the soonest Xbox One slim release date would be pegged next year, at the very least, with Microsoft still assembling the development team.

Sony and Microsoft have different approaches to the console market, with the PlayStation 4 launched as a gamer-centric console, and the Xbox One promoted as an all-in-one package. The release of titles to both consoles trickled compared to 2014's wave, but is expected to pick up with new teases and unveils this year, starting with the CES.

Microsoft is also hiring a Senior Device Driver Developer and Kernel Device Driver Developer for the new team: "We work very closely with developers both inside and outside of Microsoft as well as with the hardware vendors to evolve, design, develop, validate and test many hardware components on the Xbox."

Will Microsoft beat Sony to the punch with an early Xbox One slim release date?