Senior Quantum Architect

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Quantum Architect. Location: Redmond, Washington, USA

Job Type:

• Full-time
• Hybrid, 3 days per week in-office
• Travel less than 25%

Responsibilities:

• Define system architecture for scalable quantum computing platforms across quantum and classical domains
• Drive architectural direction across hardware, firmware, software, cloud services, and system integration
• Establish system partitioning and co-design strategies across the full technology stack
• Define interfaces, dataflows, and integration frameworks for reliable and scalable operation;
• Lead system-level trade-offs and guide platform evolution toward production-ready quantum systems
• Apply expertise across quantum plane technologies, including solid-state and atomic, molecular, or optical qubits
• Work with quantum control and readout technologies
• Work with systems technologies involving environments, fields, and interconnects
• Perform system modeling and hardware pathfinding
• Collaborate with software, quantum information theory, systems engineering, design, measurement, and fabrication teams
• Help simplify and improve full-stack quantum systems to accelerate development timelines
• Define system boundaries and interfaces, guide cross-stack trade-offs, and align platform roadmaps, validation strategies, and integration plans
• Contribute to both Microsoft first-party topological quantum systems and third-party partner systems across multiple qubit modalities
• Embody Microsoft's culture and values

Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Physical Sciences, or related field plus 1+ year of software industry experience
• OR Master's degree in a related field plus 3+ years of software industry experience
• OR Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 4+ years of software industry experience;
• Experience may include commercial software, compilers, scientific computing applications, or multi-component systems
• 4+ years of programming experience in related programming languages
• 4+ years of experience working in a collaborative environment
• Familiarity with AI tools such as Office Copilot, GitHub Copilot, or ChatGPT
• Ability to work in an AI-first environment using modern AI tools to accelerate hardware and software development

Preferred:

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field plus 3+ years of industry or R&D experience, including postdoctoral research where applicable
• OR Master's degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field plus 6+ years of industry or R&D experience
• OR Bachelor's degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field plus 8+ years of industry or R&D experience
• Experience with quantum computer architecture and validation
• Experience with quantum plane technologies, quantum control and readout, systems technology, system modeling, or hardware pathfinding

Other Information:

• Must pass required Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screenings
• Requires Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter
• The role involves access to export-controlled information and requires citizenship or eligible status verification
• Citizenship may be verified using a valid passport or other applicable documentation
• Position will remain open for at least 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until filled
• Typical U.S. base pay for Quantum Software Engineering IC4 is $119,800 to $234,700 per year;
• IC4 base pay in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area is $160,200 to $261,000 per year
• Typical U.S. base pay for Quantum Software Engineering IC5 is $142,800 to $274,800 per year
• IC5 base pay in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area is $188,000 to $304,200 per year
• Certain roles may also be eligible for benefits and additional compensation
• Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer