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Quantum Hardware Engineer

Microsoft • Full-time • Reston, VA, US • $100.60k - $215.40k / year • 2w ago

Quantum Hardware Engineer

Reston, Virginia, United States

Date posted

Sep 12, 2025

Job number

1872744

Work site

3 days / week in-office

Travel

0-25%

Role type

Individual Contributor

Profession

Quantum Computing

Discipline

Quantum Engineering

Employment type

Full-Time

Overview

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. 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.

We are looking for a diverse set of talented and focused people to accelerate the delivery of useful quantum computers. Microsoft has an internal program pursuing topological qubits for large-scale quantum computing. We are also working closely with a growing list of companies to advance quantum computer systems at every layer of the stack and bring them to market on the Microsoft Quantum accelerator platform. We believe AI can accelerate both the creation of useful quantum computers and bring-in the timelines for their realization.

The scaling team is seeking a Quantum Hardware Engineer to design, measure, and validate key components in the control and readout layer of a quantum computer. You will help accelerate progress and bridge the gap between the hardware engineers making and measuring qubits—such as topological qubits—with members of the architecture, system design, and systems integration teams at Microsoft and with partner companies in the Microsoft Quantum accelerator platform. As a hardware engineer, you will be responsible for developing and validating key components of the scaling layer of Microsoft’s quantum computer and testing them with qubits. You will work alongside talented hardware and software engineers-both within Microsoft and with our partners-in a start-up like environment that values speed and people with broad skillsets.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Master's Degree in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or related field.
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or related field AND 2+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR equivalent experience.
Demonstrated deep knowledge of solid-state (semiconductor and/or superconducting) device physics in domains relevant for quantum computer development.

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 proof of citizenship, 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 work in an “AI-first” environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through both hardware and software development.
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).
Must be willing and able to travel (domestic and international) to support program activities (25%).

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctorate in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or related field
- OR Master's Degree in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or related field AND 3+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or related field AND 5+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR equivalent experience.
Demonstrated deep knowledge of approaches to solid-state quantum computer control and architectures at the quantum plane.
Ability to tie scientific progress and milestones to product and product acceleration timelines.
Demonstrated creativity, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and analytical and problem solving ability.
Able to work in fast moving environment with team members who are geographically separated.

Quantum Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $100,600 - $199,000 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 $131,400 - $215,400 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 30, 2025.

Responsibilities

Research and describe key aspects of qubit and component technologies.
Propose, design, and model/simulate novel approaches to qubits control devices and systems.
Interface with modeling, fabrication, measurement, hardware, and systems teams to accelerate key aspects of quantum computer subsystems and products.
Monitor and have commanding understanding of present-state of relevant technology trends both within and outside the company.
Serve as bridge between our team and measurement, fabrication, and systems development teams to accelerate the product roadmap to a useful quantum computer.
Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost and schedule constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine product roadmap.
Have a commanding ability to build cryogenic testing systems for solid-state qubits and experience measuring solid-state qubits.

Other:

Embody our Culture and Values

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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Industry leading healthcare

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Educational resources

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Discounts on products and services

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Savings and investments

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Maternity and paternity leave

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Generous time away

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Giving programs

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Opportunities to network and connect

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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.