Microsoft · 3 hours ago
Principal Quantum Engineer - Systems Physics & Performance
Redmond, WA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$163K/yr - $296K/yr
6+ years expMicrosoft is seeking a Principal Quantum Engineer - Systems Physics & Performance to drive foundational advances in how we characterize, understand, and optimize the behavior of complex quantum‑device systems. The role involves working at the intersection of condensed‑matter physics, quantum device systems, and advanced materials characterization to influence the development of topological quantum computing.
Agentic AIApplication Performance ManagementArtificial Intelligence (AI)Business DevelopmentDevOpsInformation ServicesInformation TechnologyManagement Information SystemsNetwork SecuritySoftware
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Develop frameworks for diagnosing and optimizing multi‑component quantum systems, going beyond single‑device metrics to capture interactions, emergent error sources, and disorder effects
Design and analyze computational benchmarks with known clean‑limit solutions to extract, quantify, and mitigate effective local random fields and other correlated‑error phenomena that arise in real‑world problem instances
Translate insights from interacting‑qubit physics into practical corrective procedures and architectural recommendations for next‑generation topological quantum processors
Collaborate closely with theorists, device physicists, and materials scientists to bridge physical‑model predictions with experimentally accessible observables
Provide guidance on the interpretation of advanced materials and device measurements, including morphology, chemistry, electronic states, and interfacial properties of multilayer quantum‑device stacks
Partner with internal and external teams to design measurement campaigns at large national and international metrology facilities, including x‑ray synchrotrons, and integrate results into device‑fabrication and hardware‑design feedback loops
Identify and champion novel characterization approaches that illuminate failure modes or performance bottlenecks in quantum‑device systems-while ensuring deep collaboration and alignment with existing internal metrology teams
Support exploratory, high‑impact research directions related to future‑generation readout and control schemes, such as, quantifying and reducing the fundamental time‑scales associated with topological‑device readout under realistic noise and error‑rate constraints, investigating architectures in which RF signals are distributed via optical carriers into the cryostat, including on‑chip demultiplexing strategies for scalable, high‑bandwidth readout infrastructure and collaborate with quantum‑electronics, photonics, and cryogenic‑engineering teams to evaluate practical and theoretical boundaries of these approaches
Embody our Culture and Values
Qualification
Required
Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
OR Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 10+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
OR Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ 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 are required for this role
Ability to work in an 'AI-first' environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through both hardware and software development
Ability to design and build AI agents/copilots that assist with experiment setup, log triage, measurement report generation, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval (e.g. instrument manuals, design docs)
Preferred
Doctorate degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field AND 7+ years of post‑doctoral or equivalent research experience in quantum condensed‑matter physics, strongly correlated systems, quantum devices, mesoscopic physics, or related areas
Demonstrated expertise in the physics of interacting quantum systems, disorder phenomena, or complex device behavior
Experience designing, interpreting, or leading advanced experimental diagnostics (e.g., x‑ray scattering, spectroscopy, nanoscale probes, time‑resolved techniques, or equivalent)
Proven ability to drive scientific programs that integrate theory, experiment, and hardware development
Internationally recognized contributions in condensed‑matter physics, quantum materials, or quantum devices
Experience with system‑level performance modeling or physics‑based error‑analysis methodologies
Familiarity with superconducting, topological, or hybrid semiconductor‑superconductor quantum platforms
Knowledge of cryogenic measurement techniques and device‑fabrication workflows
Demonstrated ability to mentor teams and foster cross‑functional collaboration
Excellent communication, scientific‑writing, and external‑engagement skills
Ability to navigate a rapidly evolving research and engineering environment with flexibility and creativity
Benefits
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Company
Microsoft
Microsoft is a software corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1MKey Investors
Technology Venture Investors
2022-12-09Post Ipo Equity
1986-03-13IPO
1981-09-01Series Unknown· $1M
Leadership Team
Satya Nadella
Chairman and CEO
Vukani Mngxati
Chief Executive Officer - Microsft South Africa
Recent News
2026-01-16
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