Principal Quantum Engineer - Quantum Systems
Microsoft · Washington, United States · 2d ago
Microsoft Quantum has assembled a talented and diverse international team to create the world's first scalable quantum computing system. Our full-stack approach involves innovations from physics on the quantum plane through the hardware, software, and services needed to operate quantum systems at scale. For more information about the team, see Microsoft Quantum | Homepage .
The Quantum Systems team is looking for a Principal Quantum Engineer - Quantum Systems to advance the devices, experiments, tools, and engineering methods needed for scalable quantum computing. The team designs and builds cryogenic systems, control and readout electronics, measurement instrumentation, software and automation, and supporting mechanical and electrical infrastructure; integrates these subsystems with quantum devices; and characterizes and validates integrated-system performance and reliability in room-temperature and cryogenic environments. As a Principal Quantum Engineer within this team, you will bring deep expertise to complex technical challenges, lead collaboration across disciplines, and help convert new knowledge into reliable engineering solutions.
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
This role combines deep technical ownership with cross-team leadership and engineering execution. Key responsibilities of the role:
- Design and direct specialized experiments or simulations, guide data collection and analysis, and ensure results inform subsequent engineering decisions.
- Lead the development and optimization of equipment, devices, components, tools, or processes needed for quantum development and research.
- Lead collaboration across hardware, software, algorithm, and other technical teams to define subsystem requirements and interfaces, resolve system-level challenges, and validate integrated system performance.
- Establish and apply engineering best practices that improve reliability, repeatability, scalability, quality, and performance.
- Identify significant technical risks and documentation gaps, guide root-cause investigations, and drive recommendations through implementation.
- Create, review, and improve technical documentation and reusable methods so work can be applied consistently within and across teams.
- Guide teams in upholding safety, security, compliance, and secure-by-design practices in laboratory, engineering, and collaborative work.
Other:
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR equivalent 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.
- Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their U.S. permanent residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.
- Ability to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., measurement, performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day-to-day task automation).Ability to work in an "AI-first" environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development.
- Ability to work in an "AI-first" environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR equivalent experience.
- Deep experience in one or more quantum engineering areas, such as materials, fabrication, cryogenic hardware or electronics, measurement and characterization, simulation, systems engineering, or systems integration.
- Experience guiding multidisciplinary teams through ambiguous technical problems, system tradeoffs, and engineering risk reduction.Experience developing or scaling experimental equipment, engineering tools, test methods, technical processes, or integrated hardware systems.
- Experience establishing safety, quality, security, documentation, or engineering practices that are reused across teams.Programming experience in a high-level language (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for tasks such as data analysis, instrument control, simulation, or automation.Demonstrated depth of expertise in an engineering or scientific domain relevant to complex hardware systems.
- Experience leading complex experimentation, simulation, measurement, device development, or systems integration work from definition through technical decision-making.
- Experience leading collaboration across engineering and scientific disciplines and communicating complex technical recommendations to varied stakeholders.
- Experience developing engineering methods, tools, processes, or documentation that improve quality, reliability, or scalability across a team.
- Programming experience in a high-level language (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for tasks such as data analysis, instrument control, simulation, or automation.
- Demonstrated depth of expertise in an engineering or scientific domain relevant to complex hardware systems.
- Experience leading complex experimentation, simulation, measurement, device development, or systems integration work from definition through technical decision-making.
- Experience leading collaboration across engineering and scientific disciplines and communicating complex technical recommendations to varied stakeholders.
- Experience developing engineering methods, tools, processes, or documentation that improve quality, reliability, or scalability across a team.
Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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
Quantum Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $165,600 - $296,400 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 $220,800 - $331,200 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.