Mechanical Designer - Cryomechanical Systems

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

1d • $102,100 - $219,200

About The Position

At Microsoft Quantum, the Cryomechanical team designs, integrates, and sustains cryogenic mechanical systems, packaging solutions, and laboratory infrastructure that support reliable experimentation, scalable system integration, and the transition from research concepts to producible hardware.

The Mechanical Designer – Cryomechanical Systems owns products throughout their lifecycle, overseeing initial builds, incorporating customer feedback, and driving continuous improvement as technology advances. The role shapes requirements; creates 3D models and 2D drawings; documents bills of materials (BOMs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs); and participates hands-on in installations.

The designer owns end-to-end CAD for cryogenic subassemblies and top-level mechanical integrations, stewards assemblies and BOMs, leads design reviews, translates system requirements into mechanical specifications, creates installation work instructions, and works with suppliers on manufacturability and first-article builds. The role also supports nonconformance disposition and captures as-built changes in controlled documentation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field; or bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and 2+ years of industry or R&D experience; or equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Provide proof of citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or other protected status as required to assess eligibility for access to export-controlled information; citizenship is verified using a valid passport, with other applicable documents accepted for lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.
• CAD skills, preferably Creo, with a record of creating complete 3D models from scratch and releasing production-grade drawings.
• Mastery of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis for precision assemblies, including connecting stack-ups, manufacturability, and assembly sequencing.
• PDM/PLM proficiency for configuration control and BOM accuracy, using Windchill, OnePDM, or similar tools.
• Ability to lead design reviews and produce clear documentation, including review packages, checklists, risks, decisions, and release artifacts under standardized processes.
• Experience tracking and dispositioning nonconformances and executing corrective actions.
• Ability to use AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency, and to work in an AI-first environment using modern AI tools across hardware development.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or a related field; or master’s degree and 3+ years of industry or R&D experience; or bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of industry or R&D experience; or equivalent experience.
• 1+ year integrating hardware inside dilution refrigerators across temperature stages from mK through 300 K, including thermal modeling or anchoring and RF or DC line 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, 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 laboratory environments and collaborating across distributed teams or sites.
• Experience contributing to inclusive, cross-disciplinary engineering teams through clear communication, inviting diverse perspectives, and helping team members contribute effectively and succeed.
• 1+ year documenting, dispositioning, and providing corrective action for hardware nonconformances.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end 3D CAD for cryogenic subassemblies and top-level mechanical integrations, including cold fingers, mK and 4 K stages, radiation shields, vacuum interfaces, and cable or harness routing fixtures; create detailed 2D drawings with GD&T and tolerance stackups.
• Build and maintain the top assembly and BOM, managing part numbering, configurations, ECO and ECR workflows, and PDM/PLM toolchains.
• Lead Cryomechanical Engineering design reviews with review packages covering CAD, drawings, critical-to-function specifications, materials, coatings, finishes, IQC, cryogenic screening plans, manufacturing and assembly flows, risks, and schedules.
• Translate system requirements into mechanical specifications for thermal anchoring, heat-load budgets, CTE mismatch management, vacuum sealing, vibration isolation, RF and DC cable management, and integration across temperature stages.
• Create detailed SOPs and installation work instructions, 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 through first-article approval, assessing and dispositioning nonconformances, and capturing 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