Principal Electrical Engineer, Instrument Development | Microsoft Careers

Microsoft

Actively hiring
WA Posted 66 days ago $139,900–$274,800 / year
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At a glance

AI generated

TL;DR

As a Principal Electrical Engineer on the Quantum Systems team at Microsoft, you will lead the development of specialized instrumentation for characterizing, reading out, and controlling quantum hardware. Your day-to-day responsibilities include architecting precision electronics, defining timing/clocking strategies, and ensuring robust validation through automated measurements and calibration workflows. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate system needs into measurable specifications and work on shared reference platforms that de-risk new designs. The role requires expertise in mixed-signal design, signal integrity, and high-speed data conversion, as well as proficiency in defining validation strategies for complex electrical systems. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a revolutionary technology with significant impact on future computing paradigms.

Skills

Precision_analog_design Mixed_signal_design Signal_integrity Power_integrity Timing_clocking_distribution RF_microwave High_speed_digital_interfaces Modular_racks_chassis Test_planning Measurement_automation Failure_analysis EMC_EMI Firmware_FPGA_integration Driver_software_development CI/CD Documentation Cross_team_collaboration Mentorship

What you'll do

  • Lead the architecture and deployment of specialized instrumentation for quantum hardware characterization.
  • Design precision low-noise mixed-signal electronics for measurement and control in lab/cryo environments.
  • Define timing/synchronization approaches across instruments, cryo-hardware, and control/readout stacks.
  • Drive robust validation processes for new instrument designs to ensure reliability and manufacturability.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate system needs into measurable electrical specifications.
  • Lead vendor engagement and manage build/buy decisions for instrument hardware components.

What we're looking for

  • Doctorate in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience with 3+ years of industry or R&D.
  • Technical leadership in architecting and delivering complex electrical instruments/systems.
  • Proficient in precision analog, mixed-signal design, signal integrity, timing/clocking, or high-speed digital interfaces.
  • Experience defining validation strategies and executing bring-up/debug for hardware systems.
  • Effective communication skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines.
  • Track record of delivering instruments from prototype to sustained operation with reliability improvements.
  • Experience building shared reference/validation testbeds to de-risk new designs and improve development throughput.

Market check

Salary context

This $139,900–$274,800 range sits above 61% of similar postings on FindRole.

Peer median band

$139,900–$264,500

Median floor and ceiling across peers.

Typical midpoint (25–75%)

$167,875–$214,500

Middle half of comparable postings.

Based on 240 comparable postings.

* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.

Employer

About Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is a global technology leader producing software, hardware, and cloud services including Windows, Office 365, Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming, and Surface devices. Industry: Software & Cloud Computing

Microsoft currently has 534 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 488 roles with salary data.

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