Microsoft

Senior Cryogenic Engineer

Microsoft • $119K — $234K *
Redmond, WA 98052In-Person
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or a related field plus 1+ year experience OR master's with 4+ years OR bachelor's with 6+ years OR equivalent experience.
  • Experience in a research and development environment, ideally with specialization in cryogenic systems.
  • Ability to meet security screening requirements and export regulations for access to controlled information.
  • Proficient in using AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency in cryogenic systems.
  • Demonstrated leadership in complex engineering projects with multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Lead planning and implementation of upgrades for dilution refrigerators and cryostats.
  • Oversee the entire lifecycle of cryogenic systems, focusing on maintenance and reliability.
  • Coordinate operations and performance across multiple global laboratories.
  • Serve as the technical expert for various cryogenic systems and troubleshooting processes.
  • Manage vendor relationships for system upgrades and maintenance support.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
  • Supportive work environment promoting diversity and inclusion.
  • Flexible work schedule and remote work opportunities.
  • Travel opportunities for on-site upgrades and installations.
Full Job Description
Overview

We are seeking a Senior Cryogenic Engineer to lead the upgrade, maintenance, and lifecycle management of dilution refrigerators and cryogenic systems across multiple laboratories.

This role is responsible for ensuring high system reliability, consistent performance, and scalable deployment practices, while driving upgrade programs and supporting advanced quantum hardware integration. The engineer will act as a technical lead and operational owner, coordinating across engineering, facilities, vendors, and global lab teams.

This position requires deep hands-on expertise with cryogenic systems, strong troubleshooting capability, and the ability to operate effectively in multi-site, high-complexity experimental environments.

Responsibilities

  • Fridge Upgrades & Deployment Leadership: Lead planning and execution of dilution refrigerator and cryostat upgrade programs across multiple labs (e.g., hardware retrofits, wiring upgrades, thermal improvements, system reconfiguration); Define upgrade scopes, validate requirements, and ensure alignment with system performance goals and experimental needs.
  • Operations, Maintenance & Reliability: Own the end-to-end lifecycle of cryogenic systems, including maintenance, health monitoring, and performance optimization; Establish and execute preventative maintenance strategies, including pumps, vacuum systems, wiring, and thermal interfaces.
  • Multi-Lab Coordination & Scaling: Support operations across multiple global or distributed lab environments, ensuring consistent standards and system performance; Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for installation, operation, and maintenance.
  • Technical Ownership & Troubleshooting: Act as the technical expert for cryogenic system performance, including dilution units and gas handling systems, vacuum systems and leak detection, thermalization and heat load management, and RF/DC wiring integration and signal chain considerations.
  • Vendor & External Partner Management: Interface with industry vendors for system procurement, upgrades, and maintenance support; Define service expectations, review technical proposals, and ensure delivery quality.
  • Other:
    • Embody our Culture and Values.


Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 1+ year(s) experience in industry or in a research and development environment, could include completion of a post doctoral research position
    • OR Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
    • OR Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ 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.
  • Ability to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., measurement, performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day-to-day task automation).
  • Ability to work in an quot;AI-firstquot; environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development.


Additional or Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Cryogenics, or related field
  • 6+ years (Senior level) of experience in cryogenic systems or experimental hardware environments
  • Deep hands-on experience with dilution refrigerators and cryostats (operation, maintenance, upgrades)
  • Expertise in:
    • Vacuum systems, plumbing, and leak detection
    • Cryogenic system troubleshooting and failure analysis
  • Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder engineering efforts
  • Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders (cryomechanics, electrical, packaging, systems, facilities) to deliver upgrades on schedule.
  • Capture lessons learned and standardize upgrade procedures to enable repeatable deployments across sites.
  • Lead troubleshooting of complex issues (e.g., vacuum integrity, thermal instabilities, gas handling systems, wiring faults).
  • Drive uptime improvements and root-cause resolution for recurring system failures.
  • Coordinate logistics for system upgrades, spare parts, vendor services, and lab readiness.
  • Support lab expansion efforts, including system deployment planning and commissioning activities.
  • Lead on-site and remote debugging efforts to quickly resolve system issues and minimize downtime.
  • Maintain detailed system documentation, configuration records, and service history.
  • Participate in SLAs, support agreements, and on-site resource planning as needed.
  • Experience supporting multi-site lab operations or global infrastructure
  • Familiarity with integration of quantum hardware (RF chains, wiring, measurement systems)
  • Experience with system commissioning, installation, and facility integration
  • Knowledge of cryogenic automation, monitoring, or control systems
  • Proficient documentation and engineering process discipline
  • Leadership & Impact Expectations (Senior Level)
    • Operates as a technical lead for fridge upgrade and operations strategy across labs
    • Drives standardization, scalability, and reliability improvements for cryogenic systems
    • Acts as a bridge between research, engineering, and facilities teams
    • Mentors early in profession engineers and contributes to building long-term cryogenic infrastructure capability
  • Additional Considerations
    • Travel: 25-50% for on-site upgrades, installations, and troubleshooting across labs
    • Work environment: Combination of lab-based hands-on work and cross-functional coordination


#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers

Quantum Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800.00 - $234,700.00 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 $160,200.00 - $261,000.00 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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