New

Principal Quantum Engineer

Microsoft
$139,900.00 - $274,800.00 / yr
United States, Washington, Redmond
Jan 19, 2026
Overview Microsoft Quantum has assembled a talented and diverse international team to create the world's first scalable quantum computing system.Our full-stack approach involves exciting innovation fromthe physicsat the quantum plane to providing global quantum services.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 on the cusp of an accelerated effort in quantum computing.For more information about the Microsoft Quantum team, please visithttps://quantum.microsoft.com/ This position offers an opportunity to have a meaningful influence onarevolutionarytechnology. The research effort includes a diversestaff of theoreticaland experimental physicists, hardware designers and software engineers around the world.We are seeking an experimentalquantum informationphysicist, applied physicist, or electrical engineerwith a background in qubit measurementsto participate in the research and development of our qubits. 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. Responsibilities Develop and runqubit experimentsand adapt to new challenges Lead collaboration across Quantum teams for efficient use of companyexpertise, including hardware, software, and algorithms Seek, understand, andutilizetechnical input across technical fields Direct and deploy measurement techniques to advance quantum practices and devices Direct large-scale experimentation, data collection, statistical analysis, and reporting of results Other: Embody ourcultureandvalues Qualifications Required/Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years' experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years' experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND3+ years' experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements: Abilityto meet Microsoft,customerand/or government security screening requirements arerequiredfor this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will berequiredto 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 willbe requiredto 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 toleverageAI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering,day to daytask automation). Ability to design and build AI agents/copilots thatassistwith experiment setup, log triage, measurement report generation, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval (e.g.instrument manuals, design docs) Additional or Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years' experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years' experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 5+ years' experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR equivalent experience. 12+ years' experience(PhD included)withexperimental work withspin qubits or superconductingqubits 12+ years' (PhD included) experience with data acquisitionand programming in a high-level language (e.g.python,matlab)and experience codeveloping software in aversion-controlledrepository. 12+ years' experience with RFreadout and time-domain control of qubits Hands-on experimental experience withcontrol of multi-qubit systems Hands-on experimental experience withquantum characterization, verification, and validation (QCVV) #Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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 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.