Senior or Principal Process Design Kit (PDK) Engineer

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

1d•$119,800 - $304,200

About The Position

Microsoft Quantum is seeking a Senior or Principal Process Design Kit (PDK) Engineer to develop and mature a cryogenic process-design-kit for superconducting quantum hardware. This role is crucial for the qubit readout system of their topological measurement-based quantum computer. The engineer will own the model-to-measurement characterization loop for cryogenic devices and process primitives, collaborating with foundry, device, and hardware teams. Responsibilities include extending foundry PDK capabilities to cryogenic temperatures, planning and analyzing cryogenic characterization test chips, and translating measurement results into accurate models, design rules, and process guidance. This is an opportunity to shape foundational design infrastructure for quantum hardware within fast-paced, interdisciplinary teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years technical engineering experience.
OR Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience.
OR Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 1+ year(s) experience in industry or in a research and development environment, could include completion of a post doctoral research position.
OR equivalent experience.
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
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

Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience
OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience
OR Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years technical engineering experience
OR equivalent experience.
Proficient with semiconductor or superconducting process characterization, device modeling, parameter extraction, and test-chip analysis.
Proficient in construction and maintenance of process-design kits, including translating measured device behavior into models, design rules, and documentation for circuit designers.

Responsibilities

Own the model-to-measurement characterization loop for cryogenic process primitives, including test definition, measurement planning, data analysis, parameter extraction, and model update workflows.
Develop, maintain, and refine cryogenic PDK requirements for superconducting circuit technologies, with emphasis on accurate low-temperature device models, parameter extraction, and design-rule coverage.
Partner with external foundries and internal teams to extend foundry PDKs from room-temperature or nominal process assumptions to cryogenic operating regimes relevant to quantum hardware.
Plan, design, and analyze cryogenic characterization test chips for key primitives.
Partner with foundry, device, packaging, and quantum-hardware design teams to connect fabrication process capability, measured cryogenic performance, and scalable circuit-design requirements.
Establish robust characterization infrastructure, including design-of-experiments methods, test structures, data pipelines, statistical summaries, and documentation that enable repeatable PDK updates.
Use industry-standard electronic-design-automation, layout, and physical-verification toolsets to support superconducting circuit design, test-chip development, and PDK validation.
Embody our Culture and Values.