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Principal Quantum Systems Digital Design Engineer
MicrosoftUnited Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 11 Mar 2026
💰 $304,200/yr($139,900/yr – $304,200/yr)
About the role
Overview
Microsoft is the world’s center of expertise on topological quantum computing. We are building a scaled, fault‑tolerant quantum computer grounded in topological qubits and integrated end‑to‑end with the Azure Quantum software stack. As a Principal Quantum Systems Digital Design Engineer, you’ll collaborate closely with quantum physicists, systems software, RF/EE, and manufacturing/production to define, design, and deliver FPGA‑based, ultra‑low‑latency digital subsystems that sit at the heart of our topological quantum engine - spanning readout classification, error‑decoder acceleration, room‑temperature front‑ends for cryogenic control, high‑speed interconnects, and precision clocking networks. Your work will directly impact logical‑qubit stability, throughput, and system scale. At Microsoft Quantum, we aim to empower science and scientists to solve the world’s biggest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information technology. Microsoft Quantum will change the world of computing and help solve some of humankind’s currently unsolvable problems. For more information about our team, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum.
Responsibilities
Qualifications
Microsoft is the world’s center of expertise on topological quantum computing. We are building a scaled, fault‑tolerant quantum computer grounded in topological qubits and integrated end‑to‑end with the Azure Quantum software stack. As a Principal Quantum Systems Digital Design Engineer, you’ll collaborate closely with quantum physicists, systems software, RF/EE, and manufacturing/production to define, design, and deliver FPGA‑based, ultra‑low‑latency digital subsystems that sit at the heart of our topological quantum engine - spanning readout classification, error‑decoder acceleration, room‑temperature front‑ends for cryogenic control, high‑speed interconnects, and precision clocking networks. Your work will directly impact logical‑qubit stability, throughput, and system scale. At Microsoft Quantum, we aim to empower science and scientists to solve the world’s biggest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information technology. Microsoft Quantum will change the world of computing and help solve some of humankind’s currently unsolvable problems. For more information about our team, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum.
Responsibilities
- Design & implement RTL for streaming, low‑latency pipelines (e.g., readout classifiers, syndrome aggregation, and QEC decoder kernels) in Verilog/SystemVerilog, including resource/performance trade‑offs and power/thermal considerations.
- Design and implement high‑speed interconnects between subsystems (AXI4/AXI‑Stream, JESD204(B/C), Aurora, Ethernet/UDP, PCIe), including SERDES configuration, link bring‑up, and throughput/latency tuning.
- Design robust clocking & CDC strategies (MMCM/PLL trees, jitter budgets, multi‑domain timing closure, async FIFOs, metastability analysis) for deterministic performance.
- Co‑design hardware/firmware/software boundaries (register maps, DMA, interrupt models, driver interfaces) with control/readout software and instrument teams; contribute to system‑level design reviews.
- Verification and validation: develop simulation and constrained‑random tests (SV/UVM or equivalent), build on‑board diagnostics (ILA/ChipScope), and execute lab bring‑up with scopes, VNAs, LA/SC, and RF instruments.
- Tool flow & CI: own synthesis/implementation (Vivado/Vitis or Quartus/Prime), timing sign‑off, and reproducible, scripted builds (Tcl/Python) integrated with Git/Azure DevOps CI/CD.
- Quality & documentation: produce clear design docs, interface specs, and bring‑up guides; participate in rigorous code/design reviews and post‑silicon/post‑fabrication retros.
Other:
Qualifications
Required/Mimimum Qualifications
- Doctorate in Physics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR Master's Degree in Physics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment
- OR equivalent experience.
- 6+ years programming experience in related programming languages.
- 6+ years experience in a collaborative environment.
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
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