Microsoft

Principal Quantum Architect

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Santa Barbara, CA 93101In-Person
Information Technology
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 of industry experience, OR a Master's Degree with 6+ years of experience, OR a Bachelor's Degree with 8+ years of experience.
  • Strong understanding of measurement-based topological quantum systems and architectural requirements for scalability.
  • Ability to leverage AI tools for engineering productivity and prototyping validation.
  • Proficiency in analyzing performance metrics and conducting scaling analysis.
  • Experience working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze and translate qubit tuning and quantum circuit execution flows into scalable architecture.
  • Define subsystem requirements for readout and control mechanisms in quantum systems.
  • Conduct performance analysis and scaling through behavioral modeling and rapid prototyping.
  • Communicate tradeoffs and architectural concepts across diverse teams.
  • Utilize AI tools for architectural validation and performance analysis design.

Benefits

  • Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Supportive environment that values diversity and collaboration.
Full Job Description
We are looking for a Principal Quantum Architect to help define our next-generation topological quantum system. Focusing on the readout and control layer, including room-temperature instruments and software, you translate system requirements into subsystem and component requirements with an eye towards scalability. Along the way, you use modern AI tools to validate architectural concepts through rapid prototyping.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze qubit tuning and quantum circuit execution flows in measurement-based topological quantum systems, translating system-level needs into scalable architectural requirements.
  • Define and drive subsystem requirements for the readout, control, and orchestration software layers, ensuring alignment with system performance, scalability, and operational goals.
  • Analyze performance and scaling through scaling analysis, behavioral modeling, and rapid prototyping.
  • Communicate architectural concepts, tradeoffs, and recommendations effectively across a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Leverage modern AI tools to support architectural validation, rapid prototyping, performance analysis, and engineering productivity.
  • 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. a7 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 candidates 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.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with quantum algorithms and quantum error correction as well as an understanding of how they are executed in real-world settings.
  • Understanding of end-to-end system architecture for quantum computing platforms, including how requirements flow down from system goals to subsystem and component specifications.
  • Strong scientific programming skills, including experience developing software for complex research environments and contributing to codebases that support experimentation and long-term maintainability.
  • Experience with performance-aware software design and scaling computational workflows, including parallel, distributed, or high-performance computing environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage modern AI tools for rapid prototyping


#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.

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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