Principal Quantum Materials Engineer

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.  Microsoft Quantum will change the world of computing and help solve some of humankind’s currently unsolvable problems. For more information about our team, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum.   

Microsoft Quantum is building the world’s first scalable quantum computing system, with a full‑stack approach spanning materials, devices, systems, and cloud services. Our hardware strategy is centered on topological qubits, which require sophisticated nanofabrication of hybrid semiconductor–superconductor devices with stringent control of interfaces, materials quality, and process integration.  

We are seeking a Principal Quantum Materials Engineer to lead the development of superconductor and dielectric materials that directly impact topological qubit performance and scalability. This role is central to translating materials innovation into device‑level and system‑level impact and carries significant technical ownership across the materials stack.  You will work closely with experts in device physics, modeling, fabrication, and characterization in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary R&D environment. 

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. 

• Advanced Heterostructure Growth: Define, implement, and refine thin film deposition protocols for complex superconductor-semiconductor heterostructures and semiconductor-dielectric interfaces; Achieve precise control over interfaces, composition, strain, band offsets, and defect density. 

• Materials–Device Feedback & Experimentation: Design and execute principled, data driven experiments that couple thin film deposition conditions to structure, materials properties, and device outcomes; ensure materials advances translate into measurable qubit improvements; provide technical judgment on materials tradeoffs that influence fabrication flows and process integration decisions.  

• Tooling & Diagnostics Leadership: Design, build, upgrade, and maintain thin film deposition systems and in‑situ diagnostics (e.g., RHEED, spectroscopy); develop or integrate new diagnostics and tool capabilities to enable next‑generation materials performance;   

• Cross Functional Technical Leadership: Collaborate closely with nanofabrication, characterization, theory, and device teams to enable coherent, end-to-end process development; Communicate complex materials insights clearly across disciplines and help set technical direction where materials are the limiting factor.  

• AI Accelerated Materials Development: Operate effectively in an AI‑first R&D environment, using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery and optimization; Design or leverage AI agents/copilots to assist with experiment planning, log analysis, protocol templating, data interpretation, and knowledge retrieval.  

• Other 

• • Embody our culture and values

Required/Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND 8+ years’ experience in industry or in a research and development environment 
  • OR Master's Degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND 6+ years’ experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Doctorate in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND 3+ 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 (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 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 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 leverage AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day to day task automation). 

• 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 or Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND 12+ years’ experience in industry or in a research and development environment 
  • OR Master's Degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND 8+ years’ experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Doctorate in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND 5+ years’  experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR equivalent experience. 
• 12+ years of experience with thin film deposition techniques including at least one of the following: molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), atomic layer deposition (ALD), or reactive sputtering
• 12+ years of experience with thin film structural characterization techniques such as ellipsometry, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, or transmission electron microscopy
• Experience with engineering the electronic properties of metal-semiconductor interfaces
• Experience with superconductor-semiconductor hybrid materials or III-V/high-k interfaces
• Experience with optimizing the radio frequency (RF) performance of materials
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams with a focus on materials and process optimization 

#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers 

Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $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.