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Microsoft · 6 hours ago

Principal Quantum Engineer - Application-specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Design Lead

Santa Barbara, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$163K/yr - $296K/yr

6+ years exp

Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more, and their Quantum team is focused on advancing computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. They are seeking a Principal Quantum Engineer – Application-specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Design Lead to architect and deliver next-generation digital control systems, guiding the full lifecycle of ASIC design while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Agentic AIApplication Performance ManagementArtificial Intelligence (AI)Business DevelopmentDevOpsInformation ServicesInformation TechnologyManagement Information SystemsNetwork SecuritySoftware

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Cryo‑CMOS Control Chip Architecture & Design: Lead the design of ultra‑low‑temperature CMOS control ASICs for cryogenic quantum systems

Collaborate with device, packaging, and quantum hardware teams to co‑optimize performance, noise, thermal load, and reliability

Own the architecture and implementation of room‑temperature instrumentation logic, including data‑acquisition pipelines, control sequencing, and high‑speed digital interfaces

Lead the migration of FPGA‑based prototypes into production‑grade ASIC implementations, including register-transfer level (RTL) refinement, timing closure, and power/performance optimization

Establish robust verification, emulation, and bring‑up workflows to ensure seamless transition from FPGA to custom silicon

Develop and maintain layout methodologies and physical‑design flows that support advanced cryo‑CMOS and mixed‑signal ASICs

Work closely with foundry partners to influence and refine PDK features, device models, and design‑rule evolution

Qualification

ASIC DesignCryo-CMOSFPGA PrototypingElectronic Design AutomationVerification PrinciplesQuantum Physics KnowledgeReport WritingTeam CollaborationCommunication SkillsAdaptability

Required

Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 10+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field AND 12+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR equivalent experience

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role

Ability to work in an 'AI-first' environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through both hardware and software development

Ability to design and build AI agents/copilots that assist with experiment setup, log triage, measurement report generation, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval (e.g. instrument manuals, design docs)

Preferred

Build scalable workflows that enable multi‑institutional collaboration, including versioned design environments, shared Intellectual Property (IP) libraries, and reproducible layout pipelines

Mentor internal and external teams on design‑flow best practices, physical‑design constraints, and cross‑domain integration

7+ years of related technical engineering experience

10+ years of industry experience in logic design delivering complex solutions

Successful ASIC tape outs in deep sub-micron technologies

Good background in debugging designs as well as simulation environment

Knowledge of verification principles, testbenches, Universal Verification Methodology (UVM), and coverage

Deep experience with electronic design automation (EDA) software for digital design (Cadence suite)

Experience/exposure to low-temperature circuit design and measurements is desirable

Knowledge of quantum physics, behavior of semiconductors at cryogenic temperatures is desirable

Excellent team player and excellent communication skills

Ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations in a rapidly changing research environment

Demonstrated experience with report writing and documentation