Microsoft

Principal Quantum Systems Architect

Microsoft • $165K — $296K *
Redmond, WA 98052In-Person
Enterprise Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field with 6+ years of experience in industry or R&D; or a Master's with 10+ years; or a Bachelor's with 12+ years; or equivalent experience.
  • Ability to meet Microsoft security screening requirements including background checks and citizenship verification.
  • Familiarity with AI tools like Office CoPilot, GitHub CoPilot, or Chat GPT.
  • Experience in an 'AI-first' environment to leverage modern AI tools for development.

Responsibilities

  • Define scalable system architecture for quantum control and readout.
  • Drive architectural direction for advanced heterogeneous compute platforms.
  • Establish strategies for hardware, software, and firmware co-design.
  • Design communication and synchronization frameworks for low-latency operations.
  • Lead trade-offs for system-level decisions to ensure scalable quantum systems.

Benefits

  • Unique opportunity to shape the architecture for large-scale quantum computing.
  • Involvement in high-impact projects at the forefront of technology.
  • Work within a dynamic and innovative AI-first environment.
  • Be a part of a collaborative team that emphasizes both hardware and software development.
  • Access to comprehensive security training and resources.
Full Job Description
Overview

We are seeking a Principal Quantum Systems Architect (Control & Readout) to define the architecture of scalable classical control and readout systems for large-scale quantum computing. This role focuses on system design at the quantum-classical interface, including compute platforms, communication fabrics, synchronization, and signal-processing frameworks.This is a strategic technical leadership role, shaping long-term architecture while guiding validation and integration across the stack.

Responsibilities

  • Define the system architecture for scalable quantum control and readout across room-temperature and cryogenic domains
  • Drive architectural direction for heterogeneous compute platforms supporting control, measurement, and feedback workloads
  • Establish system partitioning and co-design strategies across hardware, firmware, software, and quantum systems
  • Define communication, synchronization, and dataflow architectures enabling deterministic, low-latency operation at scale
  • Lead system-level trade-offs and guide platform evolution toward scalable, production-ready quantum systems
  • Other:
    • Embody our Culture and Values


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
    • 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.

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 candidate's citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.
  • Familiarity with basic AI tools such as Office CoPilot, GitHub CoPilot, or Chat GPT.
  • Ability to work in an "AI-first" environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through both hardware and software development.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Proven experience designing complex compute or signal-processing architectures (e.g., SoCs, distributed systems, accelerators, networking fabrics)
  • Proficient understanding of system architecture fundamentals (compute, memory, interconnects, data movement, HW/SW partitioning)
  • Experience driving architectural trade-offs across performance, scalability, power, and reliability
  • Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional hardware/software co-design initiatives
  • Experience with RF signal processing, instrumentation, or measurement systems
  • Familiarity with quantum control, readout, or error correction concepts
  • Experience with FPGA, ASIC, or custom accelerator technologies
  • Exposure to cryogenic or constrained computing environments
  • Experience defining scalable architectures for emerging compute platforms
  • Track record of architecturally guiding the delivery of large-scale systems from concept through production

#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers

Quantum Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $165,600 - $296,400 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 $220,800 - $331,200 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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