Mechanical Designer - Cryomechanical Systems

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

1d • $102,100 - $202,200

About The Position

Microsoft Quantum’s Cryomechanical team designs, integrates, and sustains cryogenic mechanical systems, packaging solutions, and laboratory infrastructure that support reliable experimentation, scalable system integration, and the transition of research concepts to producible hardware. The Mechanical Designer – Cryomechanical Systems owns products throughout their lifecycle, from initial builds and customer feedback through continuous improvement and installation. The role shapes requirements, creates 3D models and 2D drawings, documents bills of materials (BOMs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and supports hands-on installations.

The position covers end-to-end CAD for cryogenic subassemblies and top-level integrations, including cold fingers, millikelvin and 4 K stages, radiation shields, vacuum interfaces, and cable or harness routing fixtures. The designer also stewards assemblies and BOMs, leads design reviews, translates system needs into mechanical specifications, creates installation instructions, and works with suppliers and manufacturing teams on production, first-article approval, nonconformances, and as-built documentation.

The role requires a qualifying degree or equivalent experience and completion of Microsoft’s applicable security screening. Access to export-controlled information requires verification of citizenship, permanent residency, or other protected status. The role is identified as Quantum Engineering IC3. The U.S. base salary range is $102,100–$202,200 per year, with a range of $133,800–$219,200 for specified San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area locations. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled, and the posting will remain open for at least five days.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field; or bachelor’s degree in one of these fields plus 2+ years of industry or research and development experience; or equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check.
• Provide proof of citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or other protected status as required to determine eligibility for access to export-controlled information.
• Proven ability to create complete 3D models from scratch and release production-grade drawings; Creo is preferred.
• Mastery of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis for precision assemblies, including connecting tolerance stackups with manufacturability and assembly sequencing.
• PDM/PLM proficiency for configuration control and BOM accuracy.
• Ability to lead design reviews and produce clear documentation, including review packages, checklists, risks, decisions, and release artifacts.
• Ability to track and disposition nonconformances and execute corrective actions.
• Ability to leverage AI tools for innovation and efficiency, and to work in an AI-first environment using modern AI tools throughout hardware development.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or a related field; or master’s degree plus 3+ years of industry or R&D experience; or bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years of industry or R&D experience; or equivalent experience.
• 1+ year integrating hardware inside dilution refrigerators across temperature stages from millikelvin through 300 K, including thermal modeling or anchoring and RF or DC harnessing.
• 1+ year using FEA or thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS Mechanical or COMSOL to guide design choices or validate designs.
• 1+ year of hands-on cryogenic, vacuum, or UHV hardware experience, including cryogenic-service materials, coatings or finishes, vacuum seals, thermal interfaces, wiring fixtures, or low-outgassing practices.
• 1+ year partnering with suppliers or manufacturing teams on precision machining, sheet metal, special processes, cleaning, vacuum bakeouts, cryogenic-compatible finishes, or first-article builds.
• 1+ year operating in regulated or high-security lab environments and collaborating across distributed teams or sites.
• Experience contributing to inclusive, cross-disciplinary engineering teams through clear communication, inviting diverse perspectives, and helping colleagues contribute and succeed.
• 1+ year documenting and dispositioning hardware nonconformances and providing corrective action.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end 3D CAD for cryogenic subassemblies and top-level mechanical integrations, and create detailed 2D drawings with GD&T and tolerance stackups.
• Build and maintain top assemblies and BOMs, including part numbering, configurations, ECO and ECR workflows, and PDM/PLM toolchains.
• Lead Cryomechanical Engineering design reviews using standardized packages covering CAD, drawings, specifications, materials, manufacturing and assembly flows, risks, and schedules.
• Translate system requirements into mechanical specifications for thermal anchoring, heat loads, CTE mismatch, vacuum sealing, vibration isolation, RF/DC cable management, and integration across temperature stages.
• Create detailed SOPs and work instructions for installations, record key installation data, and communicate engineering intent to engineers and technicians in the field.
• Drive DFM/DFX with suppliers by preparing build packages, supporting fabrication and first-article approval, assessing and dispositioning nonconformances, and recording as-built changes in drawings and BOMs.
• Embody Microsoft’s culture and values.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level