Microsoft

Principal Hardware Architect

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Santa Barbara, CA 93101In-Person
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field with 3+ years experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in measurement-based topological quantum computation (8+ years preferred).
  • Experience in quantum error correction (5+ years preferred).
  • Proven ability to translate performance goals into measurable engineering requirements.
  • Skill in clearly communicating complex technical information to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Translate system-level performance goals into measurable subsystem requirements.
  • Partner across teams to evaluate hardware trade-offs across the full hardware stack.
  • Communicate architectural decisions and trade-offs through tailored documentation and presentations.
  • Shape hardware roadmap that connects device, control, and error-correction requirements.
  • Embody and promote company culture and values.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Collaborative work environment with cross-disciplinary teams.
  • Access to advanced AI tools to enhance engineering productivity.
  • Engagement in cutting-edge quantum technology projects.
Full Job Description
We are looking for a Principal Hardware Architect to help define the architecture of a next-generation topological quantum system. Working across the stack, from quantum error correction to fabrication and growth, you will evaluate system-level trade-offs and drive key hardware decisions.

In this role, you will shape the system architecture for a next-generation topological quantum platform by connecting device, control, and error-correction requirements into a coherent hardware roadmap.

Responsibilities

  • Translate system-level performance goals, including qubit fidelity and error-correction targets, into measurable subsystem requirements and engineering priorities.
  • Partner across research, fabrication, and engineering teams to evaluate hardware trade-offs and guide architecture decisions across the full hardware stack.
  • Communicate architectural decisions, assumptions, and trade-offs clearly through documentation and presentations tailored to stakeholders with different technical backgrounds.
  • Other:
    • Embody our culture and values.


Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications
  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 3+ 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 Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ 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 use AI tools to improve engineering productivity, including performance analysis, research synthesis, and routine workflow automation.
  • Ability to work effectively in an AI-first environment by incorporating modern AI tools into day-to-day hardware development and decision-making.


Additional or Preferred 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.
  • 8+ years of experience with measurement-based topological quantum computation.
  • 5+ years of experience in quantum error correction.
  • Demonstrated experience translating system-level performance goals into subsystem requirements, a strong record of driving cross-disciplinary hardware architecture decisions, and the ability to communicate complex technical trade-offs clearly to both specialists and broad engineering audiences.


#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers

Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800.00 - $274,800.00 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 $188,000.00 - $304,200.00 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.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

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Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ
MSFT
* Ladders Estimates

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