Senior / Principal Process Design Kit (PDK) Engineer

Job Title

Senior / Principal Process Design Kit (PDK) Engineer

Role Summary

Develop and mature cryogenic process-design-kits (PDKs) for superconducting quantum hardware. Lead model-to-measurement characterization and collaborate with foundry, device, packaging, and circuit-design teams to produce accurate low-temperature models, design rules, and PDK documentation.

Deliver repeatable characterization workflows, test-chip plans, and infrastructure that enable scalable quantum readout system design.

Experience Level

Senior / Principal. Senior: typically Bachelor’s +6 years, Master’s +4 years, or PhD +1 year (or equivalent experience). Principal: typically Bachelor’s +12 years, Master’s +8 years, or PhD +5 years (or equivalent experience).

Responsibilities

Lead cryogenic PDK development, characterization, and validation activities.

• Own the model-to-measurement loop: define tests, plan measurements, analyze data, extract parameters, and update models.
• Develop and maintain cryogenic PDK requirements, low-temperature device models, and design-rule coverage.
• Work with external foundries and internal teams to extend room-temperature PDK assumptions to cryogenic regimes.
• Plan, design, and analyze cryogenic characterization test chips for key process primitives.
• Bridge fabrication capability, measured cryogenic performance, and scalable circuit-design requirements.
• Establish characterization infrastructure: DOE methods, test structures, data pipelines, statistical summaries, and documentation.
• Use EDA, layout, and physical-verification toolsets to support superconducting circuit design and PDK validation.

Requirements

Core technical skills, security clearance requirements, and practical capabilities required for the role.

• Proven experience in process characterization, device modeling, parameter extraction, and test-chip analysis for semiconductor or superconducting technologies.
• Experience constructing and maintaining PDKs and translating measured device behavior into models, design rules, and documentation for designers.
• Proficiency with electronic-design-automation, layout, and physical-verification toolsets.
• Strong data-analysis skills, experiment design experience, and ability to produce statistical summaries and repeatable workflows.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with foundry, device, packaging, and quantum-hardware design teams.
• Ability to pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check and to provide citizenship or lawful permanent resident verification for access to export-controlled information.
• Experience leveraging AI tools to accelerate measurement, modeling, analysis, and engineering workflows.

Preferred: deep experience in cryogenic device/PDK development and extended industry experience consistent with principal-level expectations.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (typically with 6+ years relevant experience); OR Master’s in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering or related (typically with 4+ years); OR Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related (typically with 1+ year industry or R&D experience). Principal-level preferred qualifications: Bachelor’s +12+ years, Master’s +8+ years, or Doctorate +5+ years. Equivalent practical experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.

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.