Principal Quantum Materials Nanofabrication Engineer
MicrosoftJob Title
Principal Quantum Materials Nanofabrication Engineer
Role Summary
Hands-on engineering role responsible for developing and executing nanofabrication processes that enable topological qubit devices. The role is embedded in the Microsoft Quantum hardware team and works closely with materials growth, device physics, and characterization teams in on-site cleanroom facilities.
Experience Level
Senior. See Education Requirements for the degree-and-years experience guidance that applies to this position.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include development and transfer of fabrication processes, device enablement, and maintaining process discipline in a production-like cleanroom environment.
- Develop, execute, and optimize semiconductor and hybrid device fabrication processes from wafer preparation through final device definition.
- Fabricate devices for materials and device characterization; design and run experiments and iterate on results with measurement and physics teams.
- Identify process sensitivities and failure modes; improve yield, reproducibility, and device performance.
- Document processes, protocols, and results to enable reproducibility and knowledge transfer; prepare technical reports.
- Maintain and qualify cleanroom tools; support equipment stewardship and training of junior staff on safety and operation.
- Apply AI tools to accelerate process development, data analysis, documentation, and experiment planning.
Requirements
Must-have skills, constraints, and responsibilities for satisfactory performance in the role.
- Hands-on nanofabrication experience in a cleanroom environment with ownership of process flows and complex fabrication workflows.
- Demonstrated ability to operate and maintain sophisticated fabrication equipment and to handle industrial chemicals safely.
- Strong process documentation and experimental design skills with attention to reproducibility and process rigor.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with materials growth, device physics, and characterization teams.
- Ability to leverage modern AI tools to improve engineering efficiency and research workflows.
- Willingness and ability to travel as required (typically 25–50%).
- Ability to meet Microsoft security screening requirements and to provide citizenship or protected-status documentation as required for export-controlled work.
Education Requirements
One of the following is required: Doctorate (PhD) in Physics, Engineering, or related field with 3+ years industry or R&D experience; OR Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field with 6+ years industry or R&D experience; OR Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field with 8+ years industry or R&D experience; OR equivalent experience.
About the Company
Company: Microsoft
Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States
Microsoft is a global technology company that develops and sells software, services, devices, and solutions. Known for its Windows operating system, Office suite, and Azure cloud platform, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and organizations around the world to achieve more. The company fosters a culture of innovation and inclusion, focusing on delivering trusted experiences to customers and partners globally.
