Principal Quantum Systems Modeling Engineer

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

7d • $142,800 - $304,200

About The Position

Microsoft’s Quantum team is developing scalable quantum technologies by combining hardware innovation with software technologies and Azure services. The Principal Quantum Systems Modeling Engineer will define and lead integrated performance modeling for a next-generation topological quantum computing platform. The role connects physical qubit behavior, control and readout performance, quantum error correction, and representative workloads to predict system-level outcomes and guide architecture. It sets technical direction across multidisciplinary teams, establishes model interfaces and validation practices, and turns incomplete evidence into clear, actionable recommendations.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or a related field and 3+ years of industry or research and development experience; or a master’s degree in a related field and 6+ years of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 8+ years of such experience; or equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements, including passing the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Must provide proof of citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or other protected status as applicable to establish eligibility for access to export-controlled information; citizenship will be verified with a valid passport, with other documents accepted for certain statuses where applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years of industry or research and development experience; or a master’s degree in a related field and 8+ years; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12+ years; or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with quantum computing systems, including physical qubit modeling or control and readout modeling.
• Experience developing, integrating, or validating quantitative models for complex systems.
• Experience designing modular, composable modeling frameworks with well-defined interfaces, provenance, and reproducible execution.
• Ability to integrate work across multidisciplinary teams and clearly communicate model assumptions, limitations, uncertainty, and recommendations.
• Experience applying modern AI tools or agentic workflows to scientific modeling while maintaining validation and traceability.
• Ability to use AI tools to improve engineering productivity, including performance analysis, research synthesis, and routine workflow automation.
• Ability to work effectively in an AI-first environment by incorporating modern AI tools into hardware development and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for an end-to-end system performance model connecting physical qubit behavior to representative quantum workloads and system-level outcomes.
• Integrate subsystem modeling efforts across quantum error correction, qubit performance, readout, and the pulsing and control chain into a consistent performance-prediction framework.
• Define interfaces, assumptions, and validation criteria for subsystem models; work with domain experts to resolve inconsistencies, quantify uncertainty, and close modeling gaps.
• Develop common frameworks that compose multiple analytical and simulation models.
• Use integrated models to evaluate architectural trade-offs, identify performance gaps and critical uncertainties, and influence technical roadmaps across multidisciplinary teams.
• Use modern AI tools to accelerate model integration, rapid prototyping, performance analysis, and engineering productivity while maintaining rigorous validation and traceability.
• Embody Microsoft’s Culture and Values.

What This Job Offers

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