Quantum Systems Mechanical and Cryogenics Engineering Manager

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

4d

About The Position

Microsoft’s Quantum Systems organization is a multidisciplinary organization advancing cutting-edge quantum technologies to address some of the world’s most complex challenges. We are seeking a Quantum Systems Mechanical and Cryogenics Engineering Manager to lead the development and testing efforts of a diverse, multi-disciplinary team spanning internal and external partners. This role is responsible for driving robust engineering practices across design, validation, and data analysis while fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate combines strong technical leadership with a passion for mentoring and empowering others, managing experts in Mechanical Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering (including cryofridge system design), and Physics. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of quantum systems in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
At Microsoft Quantum, we aim to empower science and scientists to solve the world’s biggest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information technology. Microsoft Quantum will change the world of computing and help solve some of humankind’s currently unsolvable problems. For more information about our team, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Cryogenics, Physics, or related field AND 8+ years industry experience in engineering, product/technical program management, or product development
• OR Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Cryogenics, Physics, or related field AND 6+ years industry experience in engineering, product/technical program management, or product development
• OR Doctorate Mechanical Engineering, Cryogenics, Physics, or related field AND 3+ years industry experience in engineering, product/technical program management, or product development
• OR equivalent experience.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:
• 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 AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., 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

• 3+ years demonstrated technical leadership in complex hardware systems, including mechanical and/or cryogenic systems, experimental platforms, or precision instrumentation.
• 3+ year experience leading end-to-end engineering development cycles, including requirements definition, design reviews, prototyping, validation, and data-driven iteration.
• 5+ years people management experience, including hiring, performance management, mentoring, and building high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• 5+ years experience with cryogenic systems and/or cryogenic refrigeration platforms, including integration, performance optimization, reliability, upgrades, or lifecycle management.
• 5+ years experience leading mechanical design in extreme environments, such as cryogenic, vacuum, vibration-sensitive, or high-precision systems.
• 3+ years experience with thermal and structural simulation tools, mechanical CAD, and product data management (PDM) systems.
• 5+ years experience driving design-for-manufacturing, reliability engineering, and scalable hardware deployment.
• 3+ years experience managing distributed teams and/or supporting multi-site laboratory or production operations.
• Familiarity with quantum systems, advanced research platforms, or highly complex experimental environments.
• 7+ years people management experience.
• Proven ability to lead experimental design, instrumentation, and analysis for thermal

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning Mechanical Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering (including cryofridge system design), and Physics, including both internal and external contributors; foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and professional growth.
• Own the lifecycle, upgrades, reliability, and maintenance strategy for cryogenic refrigerator systems across global sites, ensuring high system availability, continuous performance improvement, and consistent operational standards worldwide.
• Establish and scale engineering infrastructure and toolchains, including mechanical/model shop facilities and standardized workflows for mechanical CAD, thermal and structural simulation, and product data management (PDM), enabling efficient and repeatable hardware development.
• Own mechanical engineering standards and governance, driving rigorous design reviews, configuration control, reliability engineering, and design-for-manufacturing practices across parts and assemblies.
• Drive robust mechanical architecture, modeling, and simulation in close collaboration with system partners across architecture, theory, experimental systems, instrumentation, readout, and control.
• Provide technical leadership, cross-team alignment, and strategic input by innovating test and validation methodologies, objectively resolving technical conflicts, communicating effectively across global teams, and contributing to program-level planning and execution.
• Embody our Culture and Values

What This Job Offers

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