Senior Quantum Systems Electrical Engineer
About The Position
Microsoft is building a scaled, fault-tolerant quantum computer based on topological qubits and integrated with the Azure Quantum software stack. The Senior Quantum Systems Electrical Engineer will work with quantum physicists, systems software, RF/EE, and manufacturing and production teams to define, design, and deliver FPGA-based, ultra-low-latency digital subsystems for the quantum engine. These systems span readout classification, error-decoder acceleration, room-temperature front-ends for cryogenic control, high-speed interconnects, and precision clocking networks. The work will affect logical-qubit stability, throughput, and system scale. The role includes designing prototype circuits and PCBs for custom electronic devices, high-speed FPGA-based digital designs, RF designs, and mixed-signal electronics. It also involves developing and documenting component- and system-level tests, supporting lab bring-up, contributing to CI pipelines and test development, and producing design documentation and bring-up guides. The engineer participates in rigorous code and design reviews and is expected to embody Microsoft’s culture and values. The role requires the ability to work in an AI-first environment using modern AI tools to accelerate hardware development, and familiarity with designing and building AI agents or copilots for experiment setup, log triage, measurement reporting, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval. Microsoft Cloud Background Checks and verification of citizenship or other qualifying status are required because the role may involve access to export-controlled information.
Requirements
- Doctorate in Physics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field and at least 1 year of software industry experience, including research and/or development of commercial software, compilers, scientific computing applications, or multi-component systems; or a master’s degree in one of these fields and at least 3 years of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and at least 4 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.
- Ability to provide proof of citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or other protected status for eligibility assessment related to export-controlled information; citizenship will be verified with a valid passport, with other applicable documents accepted for qualifying statuses.
- Ability to work in an AI-first environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development.
- Familiarity with designing and building AI agents or copilots to assist with experiment setup, log triage, measurement report generation, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval.
Nice To Haves
- At least 3 years delivering custom electronics designs.
- Familiarity with RFSoC architectures.
- Familiarity with RF and high-speed digital designs.
- Comfort working across hardware/software boundaries, including GPIO, SPI, Serial, and USB, and with scientific instrumentation.
- Exposure to RTL and FPGA design.
- Familiarity with signal processing, control, or quantum control/readout concepts.
- Experience with Windows and Linux, VS Code, Git/GitHub, Azure DevOps CI/CD, scripted builds using Tcl/Python, design documentation, code reviews, and comprehensive testing.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement prototype circuits and PCBs for custom electronic devices, high-speed FPGA-based digital designs, RF designs, and mixed-signal electronics.
- Develop and document tests to validate custom circuits at component and system levels.
- Support laboratory bring-up of new designs using oscilloscopes, VNAs, logic analyzers/spectrum analyzers, and RF instruments.
- Support CI pipeline standup and assist with test development.
- Produce clear design documents, interface specifications, and bring-up guides.
- Participate in rigorous code and design reviews.
- Use modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development.
- Embody Microsoft’s culture and values.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
