Microsoft

Principal Technical Program Manager (Quantum Hardware)

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree with 6+ years in quantum information, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or related fields.
  • 3+ years managing cross-functional projects.
  • Expertise in leveraging AI to enhance engineering processes.
  • Proven experience with the hardware product development lifecycle and quality systems.
  • 10+ years managing complex hardware product portfolios, particularly in deep-tech areas.
  • Direct experience with quantum device development or advanced hardware R&D domains.

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end program management for quantum hardware initiatives.
  • Create and maintain a strategic roadmap for hardware platforms.
  • Ensure alignment across various scientific and technical disciplines.
  • Manage relationships with external partners and suppliers.
  • Identify and mitigate risks during program execution.
  • Oversee Agile processes to ensure timely delivery of projects.
  • Incorporate customer feedback to refine hardware and processes.
  • Develop executive reports on program status and impact.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance options.
  • Flexible work arrangements.
  • Generous paid time off and holidays.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Employee stock purchase plan.
  • Retirement savings plans with company matching.
Full Job Description
Overview

As the Principal Technical Program Manager (Quantum Hardware), you will play a critical leadership role in advancing the development of Microsoft's quantum hardware infrastructure. You will orchestrate cross-functional engineering initiatives, shape the direction of cutting-edge device research and development, and ensure robust execution across internal and external partners, all while aligning to Microsoft's core values of growth mindset, innovation, and inclusion. You are a deeply experienced technical program manager with a dedicated passion for customer focused solutions, insight and industry knowledge to envision and implement future technical solutions that will manage and optimize our scalable Quantum solution for our 1st Party customers.

This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of quantum hardware innovation. You will collaborate with leading physicists, quantum theorists, quantum experimentalists, research engineers, systems engineers, technical program managers, supply chain experts, cloud architects, and external partners to accelerate the scale-up of topological qubits and quantum systems that unlock unprecedented scientific and business value. If you are energized by complex program management challenges, thrive in ambiguity, and have a passion for foundational technologies that redefine what's possible, we invite you to join us and help shape the future of quantum computing.

Responsibilities
  • Drive Program Execution: Lead end-to-end program management for pivotal quantum hardware initiatives, overseeing concept, design, prototyping, validation, scaling, and delivery in close partnership with system architects, research scientists, and hardware engineers.
  • Strategic Planning & Roadmapping: Partner with program management leadership, engineering teams, and executive stakeholders to build and maintain a clear hardware platform roadmap-aligning milestones, resources, schedules, and risks to Microsoft Quantum's long-term goals.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Drive alignment across quantum device physics, high-speed electronics, cryoelectronics, materials science, hardware control, manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and cloud hardware operations to deliver reliable, scalable hardware solutions.
  • Supplier & Partner Engagement: Manage relationships with external foundries, research laboratories, equipment vendors, and strategic partners-establishing clear requirements and ensuring compliance with Microsoft's standards for quality, safety, and data security.
  • Risk Management: Identify, monitor, and mitigate technical, scheduling, and operational risks throughout program execution, applying continuous improvement in response to lessons learned and evolving technology trends.
  • Agile Delivery: Oversee Agile processes and ceremonies, promote transparency through regular reviews and updates, and proactively remove obstacles to ensure timely delivery of critical milestones.
  • Customer Focus: Incorporate feedback from internal and pilot customers-including researchers, manufacturing partners, Azure Quantum platform teams, and potential U.S. Government customers-to guide improvements in hardware and processes.
  • Executive Communication: Develop concise, data-driven reports and executive updates communicating program status, milestones, risks, dependencies, and impact, upholding Microsoft's high standards for stakeholder engagement.
  • Other:
    • Embody our culture and values


Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years experience in quantum information, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, hardware systems, engineering, or related technical fields
    • OR equivalent experience
  • 3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.


Other Qualifications:
  • Ability to leverage AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day to day task automation).
  • Apply AI to accelerate engineering and lab workflows. 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).
  • Evaluate agentic solutions with measurable metrics and humanintheloop safeguards following Microsoft Responsible AI requirements for generative AI.


Additional / Preferred Qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience managing multi-year, highly complex hardware product portfolios involving deep-tech or "first-of-a-kind" technologies (e.g., quantum systems, neutral atoms, ASICs, photonics, advanced chip packaging, cryoelectronics, or high-reliability hardware).
  • Deep knowledge of the hardware product development lifecycle, with demonstrated ability to oversee complex programs spanning R&D, system integration, new technology introduction, and technology transfer from R&D into scaled engineering and manufacturing, including developing and auditing hardware quality systems and test protocols.
  • Direct experience with quantum device development, quantum error correction, or quantum measurement/control hardware, or other advanced hardware R&D domains.
  • Experience working with semiconductor, electronics, or advanced materials supply chains, contract manufacturers, and R&D foundries, and demonstrated success leading external research, university, government, or consortia partnerships (e.g., DARPA, NIST, or top-tier university labs) in advanced hardware or scientific domains.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform in fast-paced, matrixed product development environments using program management methodologies and tools (e.g., Agile, Azure DevOps, or similar) to support data-driven decision making, issue and risk tracking, schedule management, executive-level reporting, and clear communication of complex technical concepts to executive audiences and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Advanced degree (M.Sc., Ph.D.) in a relevant field (e.g., quantum information, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, hardware systems), or equivalent applied experience in quantum or cryogenic hardware programs


Technical Program Management 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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