Principal Quantum Materials Engineer

At Microsoft Quantum we aim to empower science and scientists to solve the worlds biggest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing artificial intelligence and quantum information Quantum will change the world of computing and help solve some of humankinds currently unsolvable problems. For more information about our team visit Quantum is building the worlds first scalable quantum computing system with a fullstack approach spanning materials devices systems and cloud services. Our hardware strategy is centered on topological qubits which require sophisticated nanofabrication of hybrid semiconductorsuperconductor devices with stringent control of interfaces materials quality and process integration.

We are seeking a PrincipalQuantumMaterialsEngineer to lead the development ofsuperconductor and dielectric materialsthat directlyimpacttopologicalqubitperformance and role is central to translating materials innovation into devicelevel and systemlevel impact and carries significant technical ownership across the materials will work closely with experts in device physics modeling fabrication and characterization in a fast-paced interdisciplinary R&D environment.

Microsofts mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Asemployeeswe come together with a growth mindset innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect integrity and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

• Advanced Heterostructure Growth: Define implement and refinethin film depositionprotocols for complex superconductor-semiconductor heterostructuresand semiconductor-dielectric interfaces; Achieve precise control over interfaces composition strainband offsetsand defect density.

• MaterialsDevice Feedback & Experimentation: Design and execute principled data driven experiments that couplethin film depositionconditions to structure materials properties and device outcomes; ensurematerials advances translate into measurable qubit improvements;provide technical judgment onmaterialstradeoffs that influence fabrication flows and process integration decisions.

• Tooling & Diagnostics Leadership: Design build upgrade andmaintainthin film depositionsystems and insitu diagnostics (e.g. RHEED spectroscopy);develop or integrate new diagnostics and tool capabilities to enable nextgeneration materials performance;

• Cross Functional Technical Leadership: Collaborate closely with nanofabrication characterization theory and device teams to enable coherent end-to-end process development; Communicate complex materials insights clearly across disciplines and help set technical direction where materials are the limiting factor.

• AI Accelerated Materials Development: Operate effectively in an AIfirst R&D environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery and optimization; Design or leverage AI agents/copilots to assist with experiment planning log analysis protocol templating data interpretation and knowledge retrieval.

• Other

• • Embody our culture and values

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Materials Science Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics or related field AND 8 years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Masters Degree in Materials Science Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics or related field AND 6 years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Doctorate in Materials Science Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics or related field AND 3 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. 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 toleverageAI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g. performance modeling and analysis research gatheringday to daytask automation).

• Ability to design and build AI agents/copilots thatassistwith experiment setup log triage measurement report generation protocol templating and knowledge retrieval ( manuals design docs)

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Materials Science Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics or related field AND 12 years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Masters Degree in Materials Science Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics or related field AND 8 years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR Doctorate in Materials Science Electrical Engineering Chemistry Physics or related field AND 5 years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 12 years of experience with thin film deposition techniques including at least one of the following: molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) atomic layer deposition (ALD) or reactive sputtering
• 12 years of experience with thin film structural characterization techniques such as ellipsometry x-ray diffraction atomic force microscopy x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy or transmission electron microscopy
• Experience with engineering the electronic properties of metal-semiconductor interfaces
• Experience with superconductor-semiconductor hybrid materials or III-V/high-k interfaces
• Experience with optimizing the radio frequency (RF) performance of materials
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams with a focus on materials and process optimization

#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers

Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142800 - $274800 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 $188000 - $304200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
position will be open for a minimum of 5 days with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age ancestry citizenship color family or medical care leave gender identity or expression genetic information immigration status marital status medical condition national origin physical or mental disability political affiliation protected veteran or military status race ethnicity religion sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process read more about requesting accommodations.

Required Experience:

IC