Principal Electrical Engineer, Instrument Development

About the role

Microsoft Quantum is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer, Instrument Development to lead the architecture, design, and deployment of special-purpose instrumentation that enables characterization, readout, and control of quantum hardware. This role spans mixed-signal electronics, low-noise and precision measurement, timing/clocking, high-speed data conversion, and system integration across lab and cryogenic environments. You will also help define and maintain reference and validation platforms for critical parts of the stack—creating reusable testbeds, automation, and release criteria that de-risk new designs and accelerate iteration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead instrument development from concept through prototype and deployment, including requirements, architecture, schematic/layout oversight, bring-up, calibration, and characterization.
• Architect and design precision, low-noise, and mixed-signal electronics for measurement and control, including signal integrity, grounding/shielding, and power integrity in demanding lab/cryo-adjacent environments.
• Define timing/clocking and synchronization approaches across instruments and subsystems; own key electrical interfaces between instruments, cryo hardware, and control/readout stacks.
• Drive robust validation of instruments (test plans, automated measurements, calibration workflows, and acceptance criteria), and use data to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including quantum research, architecture, experimentalists, cryogenics, firmware/software, and test engineering to translate system needs into measurable electrical specifications and instrument roadmaps.
• Define and maintain shared reference and validation platforms (bench/rack/PCB/interconnect) used to de-risk new designs, enable rapid bring-up, and provide repeatable regression coverage for critical slices of the stack.
• Lead vendor engagement and manage build/buy decisions for instrument and validation hardware (e.g., chassis/backplanes, connectors/cabling, clocks, power modules, test fixtures), including qualification plans and acceptance criteria.
• Embody Microsoft’s culture and values of respect, integrity, and accountability.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering or related field AND 3+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR
• Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field AND 8+ 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, including Microsoft Cloud Background Check every two years and citizenship verification for export-controlled information.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated technical leadership in architecting and delivering complex electrical instruments or measurement/control systems (e.g., modular racks/chassis, mixed-signal boards, precision analog front-ends, timing/clocking, or high-speed data acquisition).
• Experience defining validation strategies and executing bring-up/debug for electrical instruments and hardware systems, including test planning, measurement automation, and failure analysis.
• Proficient fundamentals in at least two of the following: precision analog design, mixed-signal design, signal integrity/power integrity, timing/clocking distribution, RF/microwave, or high-speed digital interfaces.
• Effective communication skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines (physics, firmware/software, mechanical/thermal, manufacturing, and test).
• Experience delivering instruments from prototype to sustained operation, including calibration/characterization, reliability improvements, and documentation suitable for broader team use.
• Experience with high-reliability interconnect and packaging constraints (connectors, harnessing, impedance control, grounding/shielding).
• Experience with compliance, safety, and practical deployability considerations for instruments (EMC/EMI, grounding, safety interlocks, ESD, and serviceability).
• Experience building shared reference/validation testbeds that de-risk new designs and improve development throughput across teams.
• Experience delivering complex products in a fast-paced environment with evolving requirements, including cross-team alignment and milestone-driven execution.
• Experience collaborating with firmware/FPGA and driver/software teams to define interfaces and debug across HW/FW/SW boundaries.
• Track record of mentorship and technical leadership, including setting design/validation bars and guiding others through complex bring-up and debug.

Pay

The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. For specific work locations within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Additional pay information can be found at Microsoft Careers Pay Information.