Microsoft

Principal Quantum Systems Modeling Engineer

Microsoft • $142K — $274K *
Santa Barbara, CA 93101In-Person
Enterprise Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years industry experience;
  • Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years industry experience;
  • Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+ years industry experience;
  • Familiarity with quantum computing systems, qubit modeling or control & readout modeling;
  • Proven experience in developing and validating complex numerical models.

Responsibilities

  • Define the technical vision and roadmap for end-to-end performance modeling of a topological quantum computing platform.
  • Integrate subsystem models across error correction, qubit performance, and readout into a unified framework.
  • Establish validation criteria and resolve inconsistencies in subsystem modeling with domain experts.
  • Develop frameworks that combine various analytical and simulation models effectively.
  • Use integrated models to assess architectural trade-offs and influence technical strategies across teams.
  • Accelerate modeling processes using AI tools for improved productivity and traceability.
  • Embody the organization's defined Culture and Values.

Benefits

  • Eligibility for various employee benefits and compensation packages.
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth in a cutting-edge field.
  • Dynamic work environment encouraging innovation through AI integration.
Full Job Description
Overview

We are seeking a Principal Quantum Systems Modeling Engineer to define and lead the integrated performance-modeling capability for our next-generation topological quantum computing platform. You will connect physical qubit behavior, control and readout performance, quantum error correction, and representative workloads to predict system-level outcomes, guide architecture, set technical direction across multidisciplinary teams, establish rigorous model interfaces and validation practices, and turn incomplete evidence into clear, actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

  • Define the technical vision and roadmap for the end-to-end system performance model for a topological quantum computing platform, connecting physical qubit behavior to representative quantum workloads and system-level outcomes.
  • Integrate subsystem modeling efforts across quantum error correction, qubit performance, readout, and the pulsing and control chain into a consistent performance-prediction framework.
  • Define interfaces, assumptions, and validation criteria for subsystem models, and work with domain experts to resolve inconsistencies, quantify uncertainty, and close modeling gaps.
  • Develop common frameworks that compose multiple analytical and simulation models.
  • Use integrated models to evaluate architectural trade-offs, identify performance gaps and critical uncertainties, and influence technical roadmaps across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Leverage modern AI tools to accelerate model integration, rapid prototyping, performance analysis, and engineering productivity while maintaining rigorous validation and traceability.
  • 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 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:

  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 5+ 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 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.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with quantum computing systems, including physical qubit modeling or control & readout modeling
  • Experience developing, integrating, or validating quantitative models for complex systems.
  • Experience designing modular, composable modeling frameworks with well-defined interfaces, provenance, and reproducible execution.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate work across multidisciplinary teams and clearly communicate model assumptions, limitations, uncertainty, and recommendations.
  • Experience applying modern AI tools or agentic workflows to accelerate scientific modeling while maintaining validation and traceability.


#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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