Principal Quantum Systems Architect

Microsoft

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Hybrid

Quick summary

Work type: Hybrid
Location: —
Salary: $165,600–$296,400 / yr
Posted: 123 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Closes: Dec 23, 2026

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $216k

This role $231k

$143k $313k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 61% of similar roles. Most pay $177,250–$255,000 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $231k versus about $216k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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 694 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $119,800–$234,700 across 651 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Principal Quantum Systems Architect

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The Principal Quantum Systems Architect joins the Microsoft Quantum team to define the architecture of scalable classical control and readout systems for large-scale quantum computing. This strategic technical leadership role focuses on the quantum-classical interface, where the architect will design heterogeneous compute platforms, communication fabrics, and signal-processing frameworks. Key responsibilities include establishing system partitioning and co-design strategies across hardware, firmware, software, and quantum systems to enable deterministic, low-latency operation. The role requires expertise in SoCs, distributed systems, networking fabrics, and RF signal processing. Candidates must navigate complex trade-offs involving performance, scalability, power, and reliability within cryogenic or constrained computing environments. The work involves guiding the evolution of production-ready quantum systems by integrating FPGA, ASIC, or custom accelerator technologies into a unified architecture.

Skills

Quantum Computing System Architecture Signal Processing Hardware/Software Co-design FPGA ASIC Distributed Systems RF Signal Processing Communication Fabrics Dataflow Architecture Accelerator Technologies GitHub CoPilot Office CoPilot

What you'll do

Define the system architecture for scalable quantum control and readout across room-temperature and cryogenic domains.
Drive architectural direction for heterogeneous compute platforms supporting control, measurement, and feedback workloads.
Establish system partitioning and co-design strategies across hardware, firmware, software, and quantum systems.
Define communication, synchronization, and dataflow architectures for deterministic, low-latency operation at scale.
Lead system-level trade-offs to guide platform evolution toward scalable, production-ready quantum systems.
Guide validation and integration of quantum-classical interface components across the technology stack.

What we're looking for

Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field and 6+ years of industry or R&D experience.
Master's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field and 10+ years of industry or R&D experience.
Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field and 12+ years of industry or R&D experience.
Equivalent experience to the degree and years of experience requirements.
Ability to pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check and citizenship verification for export-controlled information.
Familiarity with basic AI tools such as Office CoPilot, GitHub CoPilot, or Chat GPT.
Ability to work in an AI-first environment using modern AI tools for hardware and software development.
Proven experience designing complex compute or signal-processing architectures (preferred).

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