Principal Quantum Advanced Characterization Engineer

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 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 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 AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day to day task automation).  Ability to work in an “AI-first” environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years of experience in advanced characterization or quantum materials R&D 

• OR equivalent experience 

• Deep expertise in one or more of: 

• STM/STS 

• Atom probe tomography (APT) 

• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) 

• Experience in designing and executing complex characterization experiments 
• Experience in interpreting nanoscale structural and electronic data 
• Experience working across multidisciplinary teams 

• Interpret complex datasets to identify root causes of performance limitations 

• Translate characterization results in actionable guidance for materials growth, fabrication, and integration 

• Experience with semiconductor–superconductor hybrid materials or quantum-relevant systems  

• Develop and maintain strategic collaborations with external experts and facility scientists 

• Plan and execute multi-institution experimental programs, including proposal definition, scheduling, and data delivery 

• Identify key knowledge gaps and define measurement strategies to de-risk program milestones 

• Communicate insights clearly across disciplines, influencing materials selection, process integration, and device architecture 

• Apply AI/ML tools to accelerate:  

• Image and spectroscopy analysis 

• Feature extraction and defect classification 

• Cross-correlation of structure and device performance 

• Build reusable data and knowledge frameworks across characterization methods 

• Experience working with national labs or large-scale user facilities 

• Background in correlating nanoscale structure with device or quantum performance 

• Familiarity with MBE growth, nanofabrication, or low-temperature transport measurements 

• Strong track record of technical impact (publications, invited talks, or major experimental programs led) 

• Familiarity with advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., ARPES, HAXPES) 

#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers  

Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800.00 - $274,800.00 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 $188,000.00 - $304,200.00 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.

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.