Principal Technical Program Manager (Quantum Hardware)

Job Title

Principal Technical Program Manager (Quantum Hardware)

Role Summary

Lead and coordinate cross-functional engineering programs to advance Microsoft's quantum hardware platform, focusing on design, prototyping, validation, scale-up, and delivery of scalable quantum systems.

Work with research scientists, engineers, system architects, supply chain partners, and cloud teams to drive execution, roadmap alignment, and risk-managed delivery of first-of-a-kind hardware solutions.

Experience Level

Senior (Principal) level. The role expects significant technical program leadership: typically 6+ years of relevant technical experience and 3+ years managing cross-functional or cross-team projects; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

Own program execution, planning, and cross-disciplinary coordination for complex hardware initiatives.

• Drive end-to-end program delivery from concept through scaling and handoff to operations.
• Develop and maintain hardware platform roadmaps; align milestones, resources, schedules, and risks with stakeholders.
• Coordinate across device physics, cryoelectronics, control hardware, materials, manufacturing, and cloud integration teams.
• Manage external suppliers, foundries, equipment vendors, and research partners to meet technical and quality requirements.
• Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and operational risks; implement continuous improvement based on lessons learned.
• Lead Agile delivery practices, remove blockers, and maintain transparent program status and metrics.
• Gather and incorporate feedback from internal customers, manufacturing partners, and platform teams to improve hardware and processes.
• Prepare concise, data-driven executive reports on program status, risks, dependencies, and impact.

Requirements

Must-have technical program management skills and demonstrated experience executing complex hardware programs.

• Minimum: 6+ years of relevant technical experience or equivalent applied experience; 3+ years managing cross-functional projects or teams.
• Proven record of delivering multi-year, complex hardware programs spanning R&D, integration, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Experience with supplier and partner management, manufacturing or foundry relationships, and quality/test protocol development.
• Strong risk management, schedule tracking, and data-driven decision-making skills; comfortable with executive-level communication.
• Familiarity with program management tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Azure DevOps) and metrics-driven reporting.
• Ability to meet Microsoft security and export-control related screening and citizenship/verification requirements.
• Ability to leverage AI tools to accelerate engineering and lab workflows and to design AI agents/copilots with appropriate human-in-the-loop safeguards.
• Customer-focused mindset: incorporate internal and pilot-customer feedback into hardware and process improvements.
• Nice-to-have: Direct experience with quantum device development, cryoelectronics, ASICs, photonics, advanced packaging, or similar deep-tech hardware R&D; experience leading consortia or government partnerships.
• Nice-to-have: Advanced program management of first-of-a-kind technologies and experience transitioning R&D into scaled engineering and manufacturing.

Education Requirements

Minimum: Bachelor's degree OR equivalent practical experience. Fields cited include quantum information, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, hardware systems, engineering, or related technical fields. Preferred: advanced degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in a relevant field or equivalent applied 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.