Technical Program Manager - Hardware

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Technical Program Manager (Quantum Hardware). Location: Redmond, Washington, United States

Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid, 3 days/week in-office

Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end program management for major quantum hardware initiatives, from concept and design through prototyping, validation, scaling, and delivery.
• Develop and maintain hardware platform roadmaps covering milestones, resources, schedules, dependencies, and risks.
• Coordinate engineering efforts across quantum device physics, high-speed electronics, cryoelectronics, materials science, hardware control, manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and cloud hardware operations.
• Manage relationships with external foundries, research laboratories, equipment vendors, and strategic partners.
• Establish technical requirements and ensure partners meet Microsoft's quality, safety, and data security standards.
• Identify, track, and mitigate technical, scheduling, and operational risks;
• Lead Agile processes, ceremonies, reviews, and delivery activities while removing obstacles to critical milestones.
• Incorporate feedback from researchers, manufacturing partners, Azure Quantum teams, and potential U.S. government customers into hardware and process improvements.
• Prepare concise, data-driven executive reports covering program status, milestones, risks, dependencies, and impact.
• Collaborate with physicists, quantum theorists, experimentalists, research engineers, systems engineers, supply chain specialists, cloud architects, and technical program managers.
• Help accelerate the development and scaling of topological qubits and quantum computing systems.
• Apply AI tools to improve engineering and laboratory workflows, including experiment setup, log analysis, measurement reporting, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval;
• Evaluate AI agents and copilot solutions using measurable performance metrics and human-in-the-loop safeguards consistent with Microsoft's Responsible AI requirements.
• Embody Microsoft's culture and values of growth mindset, innovation, inclusion, respect, integrity, and accountability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of experience in quantum information, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, hardware systems, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years of experience managing cross-functional or cross-team projects.
• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements.
• Ability to satisfy requirements related to access to export-controlled information. Candidates may need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or another protected status, as applicable.
• Ability to use AI tools to drive engineering innovation and operational efficiency.
• Ability to apply AI to engineering and laboratory workflows and develop AI agents or copilots for technical processes.

Preferred:

• 10+ years of experience managing complex, multi-year hardware product portfolios involving deep-tech or first-of-a-kind technologies.
• Experience with quantum systems, neutral atoms, ASICs, photonics, advanced chip packaging, cryoelectronics, or other high-reliability hardware.
• Deep understanding of hardware product development across R&D, system integration, new technology introduction, technology transfer, engineering, and scaled manufacturing.
• Experience developing or auditing hardware quality systems and test protocols.
• Direct experience with quantum device development, quantum error correction, quantum measurement and control hardware, or advanced hardware R&D.
• Experience with semiconductor, electronics, or advanced materials supply chains, contract manufacturers, and R&D foundries;
• Experience leading partnerships with research organizations, universities, government agencies, or scientific consortia.
• Experience working with organizations such as DARPA, NIST, or leading university laboratories in advanced hardware or scientific programs.
• Experience with Agile, Azure DevOps, or similar program management tools.
• Strong ability to support data-driven decision-making, issue and risk tracking, schedule management, executive reporting, and communication of complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Advanced degree such as an M.Sc. or Ph.D. in quantum information, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, hardware systems, or a related field, or equivalent applied experience in quantum or cryogenic hardware programs.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary range across most U.S. locations: $165,600 to $296,400 per year.
• Base salary range for the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area: $220,800 to $331,200 per year.
• Certain roles may also qualify for additional benefits and compensation;
• Microsoft provides information about additional benefits and pay through its corporate compensation resources.
• This position is eligible for Microsoft's employee benefits program according to applicable employment terms.

Other Information:

• Work arrangement: 3 days per week in-office.
• Travel: Less than 25%.
• Role type: Individual Contributor.
• Profession: Program Management.
• Discipline: Technical Program Management.
• Level: Technical Program Management IC6;
• The position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
• Candidates must complete the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire or transfer and every two years thereafter.
• Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.
• Reasonable accommodations are available during the application process for eligible applicants.