Principal Quantum Engineer - Quantum Systems

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

About The Position

Microsoft Quantum is building the world's first scalable quantum computing system through a full-stack approach, integrating innovations from physics to hardware, software, and services. The Quantum Systems team specifically focuses on advancing the devices, experiments, tools, and engineering methods required for scalable quantum computing. This involves designing and building cryogenic systems, control and readout electronics, measurement instrumentation, software and automation, and supporting infrastructure. The team integrates these subsystems with quantum devices and characterizes their performance and reliability in various environments. As a Principal Quantum Engineer, you will tackle complex technical challenges, lead interdisciplinary collaboration, and translate new knowledge into robust engineering solutions. Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and organization, and our employees embody a growth mindset, drive innovation, and collaborate to achieve shared goals, guided by values of respect, integrity, and accountability to foster an inclusive culture.

Requirements

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.
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.