Principal Quantum Materials Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Quantum Materials Engineer. Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

Responsibilities:

• Define, implement, and optimize Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) growth protocols for complex semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures.
• Achieve precise control of interfaces, composition, strain, and defect density;
• Drive improvements in material properties including spin-orbit coupling, interface quality, disorder reduction, and reproducibility.
• Support the development of materials that directly improve topological qubit performance and scalability.

Materials-Device Development

• Design and execute data-driven experiments linking growth conditions to material structure, properties, and device outcomes.
• Own the complete feedback cycle from material growth through device performance evaluation.
• Provide technical guidance on process integration and fabrication tradeoffs;
• Ensure materials advancements translate into measurable improvements in quantum device performance.

Tooling and Diagnostics Leadership

• Design, build, upgrade, maintain, and optimize ultra-high vacuum (UHV) MBE systems.
• Develop and enhance in-situ diagnostics including RHEED and spectroscopy tools.
• Integrate new diagnostic capabilities to support next-generation quantum materials development.
• Improve materials characterization and process monitoring capabilities.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with nanofabrication, device physics, theory, characterization, and engineering teams.
• Communicate complex technical findings across multidisciplinary teams.
• Help establish technical direction for materials-focused research and development efforts.
• Drive coherent end-to-end process development across the quantum hardware stack.

AI-Accelerated Research and Development

• Utilize modern AI tools to accelerate materials discovery and optimization.
• Develop or leverage AI agents and copilots for:
  • Experiment planning
  • Data interpretation
  • Process optimization
  • Log analysis
  • Knowledge retrieval
  • Protocol generation
• Contribute to Microsoft's AI-first research environment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Embody Microsoft's culture, values, and commitment to innovation.
• Support strategic initiatives that advance scalable quantum computing technologies.

Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of industry or R&D experience;

OR

• Master's degree with 6+ years of industry or R&D experience;

OR

• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of industry or R&D experience;

OR

• Equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to work in an AI-first development environment.
• Experience using AI tools to improve research efficiency, modeling, automation, and analysis.
• Ability to satisfy Microsoft security screening requirements.
• Ability to meet export-control and citizenship verification requirements.

Preferred:

• PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated senior-level technical leadership experience.
• Proven success developing MBE processes that significantly improve device performance.
• Experience with semiconductor-superconductor hybrid materials.
• Experience working with III-V semiconductors.
• Experience developing materials systems relevant to quantum computing.
• Strong background in advanced quantum materials research and development.

Benefits and Compensation:

• United States base salary range: $142,800 - $274,800 per year
• San Francisco Bay Area and New York City range: $188,000 - $304,200 per year

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive Microsoft employee benefits package.
• Eligibility for additional compensation depending on role and location.
• Career development opportunities within Microsoft Quantum;
• Access to cutting-edge quantum computing research and technology programs.