Senior Quantum Hardware Engineer

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Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. At Microsoft Quantum, we aim to empower science and scientists to solve the world's biggest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information technology.

We are looking for a diverse set of talented and focused people to accelerate the delivery of useful quantum computers. Microsoft has an internal program pursuing topological qubits for large-scale quantum computing. We are also working closely with a growing list of companies to advance quantum computer systems at every layer of the stack and bring them to market on the Microsoft Quantum accelerator platform. We believe AI can accelerate both the creation of useful quantum computers and bring-in the timelines for their realization.

The Quantum Product Acceleration team is seeking a Senior Quantum Hardware Engineer with experience integrating hardware and software to realize successful multi-qubit systems. You will help accelerate progress in quantum computing and bridge the gap between teams making and measuring qubits—such as topological qubits—with the teams at Microsoft making the real time operating system needed to control a quantum computer. As a hardware engineer, you will be responsible for standing up prototype systems and working with our customers to validate their operation. You will work alongside talented hardware and software engineers to design and realize critical components to a full stack quantum computer---both within Microsoft and with our partners---in a start-up like environment that values speed and people with broad skillsets.

Required/minimum qualifications:

• Doctorate in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Quantum Information Science, or a related field AND 1+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment, could include completion of a post doctoral research position
  • OR Master's Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Quantum Information Science, or a related field AND 4+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Quantum Information Science, or a related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Significant lab experiences working on one or more qubit technologies, quantum systems, and/or cryogenic systems.
• Ability to foster and maintain deep or broad expertise in the area of responsibility while driving cross-team collaboration across Microsoft and Quantum to maximize the use of company-wide capabilities in hardware, software, and algorithms.

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 or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of citizenship, 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 work in an “AI-first” environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through both hardware and software development.
• Design and build AI agents/copilots that assist with experiment setup, log triage, measurement report generation, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval (e.g. instrument manuals, design docs).
• Must be willing and able to travel (domestic and international) to support program activities (25%).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with design and fabrication of novel semiconductor structures and chips, knowledge of fabrication processes.
• Experience with principals of devices for information processing.
• Experience with firmware and software development in the context of test and measurement of quantum computing systems.
• Ability to tie scientific progress and milestones to product and product acceleration timelines.
• Demonstrated creativity, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and analytical and problem solving ability.
• Able to work in fast moving environment with team members who are geographically separated.
• Able to communicate complex issues and trade-offs to development partners and management
• Prior experience presenting technical progress reports and building tracking dashboards.
• Experience overseeing engineering programs and cross-functional teams across multiple geographical locations.

Quantum Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $158,400 - $258,000 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 30, 2025.

• Have a commanding ability to build cryogenic testing systems for solid-state qubits and experience measuring solid-state qubits.
• Maintain expert knowledge to apply advanced concepts to influence product/business needs and drive action toward solutions, including engagement with external partners.
• Produce consistent and accessible documentation of work and ensure such consistency in others.
• Monitor and have commanding understanding of present-state of relevant technology trends both within and outside the company.
• Serve as bridge between our team and classical control, firmware, and systems development teams to accelerate the product roadmap to a useful quantum computer.
• Identify and engage partners to deliver key components and insights to advance technical program and meet product deliverable due dates.
• Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost and schedule constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine product roadmap.

Other:

• Embody our Culture and Values