Job Title

Overview Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft Quantum has assembled a talented and diverse international team to create the worldu2019s first scalable quantum computing system.Our fullu2011stack approach involves innovations from physics on the quantum plane to global quantum services and everything in between.The Microsoft Quantum program strives to fundamentally change the world of computingtohelp solve problems that are currently intractable for classical machines.We are entering a period of accelerated development, and we are seeking exceptional scientific leaders to help define what comes next. For more information about our team, visit . We are seeking a Principal Quantum Engineer - Systems Physics & Performance to drive foundational advances in how we characterize, understand, and optimize the behavior of complex quantumu2011device systems. This role focuses on the physics of interacting qubits, emergent disorder phenomena, and the development of new diagnostic and mitigation strategies that enable robust operation at scale. The position offers the opportunity to influence the direction of the worldu2019s first topological quantum computing effort, working closely with multidisciplinary teams in a deeply collaborative, researchu2011forward environment. This role sits at the intersection of condensedu2011matter physics, quantum device systems, and advanced materials characterization. The ideal candidate combines a deep understanding of fundamental physics with a passion for building new methodologiesu2014spanning theory, experiment, and metrologyu2014to unlock new levels of system performance. Responsibilities + Systemsu2011Level Physics & Quantum System Performance: Develop frameworks for diagnosing and optimizing multiu2011component quantum systems, going beyond singleu2011device metrics to capture interactions, emergent error sources, and disorder effects. + Design and analyze computational benchmarks with known cleanu2011limit solutions to extract, quantify, and mitigate effective local random fields and other correlatedu2011error phenomena that arise in realu2011world problem instances. + Translate insights from interactingu2011qubit physics into practical corrective procedures and architectural recommendations for nextu2011generation topological quantum processors. Collaborate closely with theorists, device physicists, and materials scientists to bridge physicalu2011model predictions with experimentally accessible observables. + Materials & Device Diagnostics: Provide guidance on the interpretation of advanced materials and device measurements, including morphology, chemistry, electronic states, and interfacial properties of multilayer quantumu2011device stacks. + Partner with internal and external teams to design measurement campaigns at large national and international metrology facilities, including xu2011ray synchrotrons, and integrate results into deviceu2011fabrication and hardwareu2011design feedback loops. + Identify and champion novel characterization approaches that illuminate failure modes or performance bottlenecks in quantumu2011device systems-while ensuring deep collaboration and alignment with existing internal metrology teams. + Emerging Interfaces: Optics, THz, & Alternative Readout Pathways: Support exploratory, highu2011impact research directions related to futureu2011generation readout and control schemes, such as, quantifying and reducing the fundamental timeu2011scales associated with topologicalu2011device readout under realistic noise and erroru2011rate constraints, investigating architectures in which RF signals are distributed via optical carriers into the cryostat, including onu2011chip demultiplexing strategies for scalable, highu2011bandwidth readout infrastructure and collaborate with quantumu2011electronics, photonics, and cryogenicu2011engineering teams to evaluate practical and theoretical boundaries of these approaches. + Other: + Embody our Culture ( and Values ( Qualifications Required/Minimum Qualifications + 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. Other Requirements: + 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 or Export Administration Regulations, 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 candidateu2019s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable. + Ability to work in an u201cAI-firstu201d 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). Additional/Preferred Qualifications: + Doctorate degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field AND 7+ years of postu2011doctoral or equivalent research experience in quantum condensedu2011matter physics, strongly correlated systems, quantum devices, mesoscopic physics, or related areas. + OR equivalent experience. + 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., xu2011ray scattering, spectroscopy, nanoscale probes, timeu2011resolved techniques, or equivalent). + Proven ability to drive scientific programs that integrate theory, experiment, and hardware development. + Internationally recognized contributions in condensedu2011matter physics, quantum materials, or quantum devices. + Experience with systemu2011level performance modeling or physicsu2011based erroru2011analysis methodologies. + Familiarity with superconducting, topological, or hybrid semiconductoru2011superconductor quantum platforms. + Knowledge of cryogenic measurement techniques and deviceu2011fabrication workflows. + Demonstrated ability to mentor teams and foster crossu2011functional collaboration. + Excellent communication, scientificu2011writing, and externalu2011engagement skills. + Ability to navigate a rapidly evolving research and engineering environment with flexibility and creativity. #Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers Quantum Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $163,000 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $220,800 - $331,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations. (