New

Principal Quantum Materials Nanofabrication Engineer

Microsoft
$142,800.00 - $274,800.00 / yr
United States, Indiana, West Lafayette
Jun 06, 2026
Overview At Microsoft Quantum, we aim to empower science and scientists to solve the world's biggest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information technology.Microsoft Quantum will change the world of computing and help solve some of humankind's currently unsolvable problems. For more information about our team, visithttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum. Microsoft Quantum is building the world's first scalable quantum computing system, with afullstackapproach spanning materials, devices, systems, and cloud services. Our hardware strategy is centered ontopological qubits,which require sophisticated nanofabrication of hybrid semiconductor-superconductor devices with stringent control of interfaces, materials quality, and process integration. We are seeking aPrincipalQuantum Materials Nanofabrication Engineerto play a key role in developing, executing, and refining nanofabrication processes that directly supportnext generationtopological qubit devices. This role provideshands-onownership of fabrication workflows and closecoupling tomaterialsgrowth, device physics, and characterization teams. Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Asemployeeswe come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. Responsibilities Nanofabrication Process Development: Develop, execute, and optimize semiconductor and hybrid device fabrication processes in Microsoft's West Lafayette cleanroom facilities;Contribute toendtoendprocess flows for advanced quantum devices, from wafer preparation through final device definition;Identify process sensitivities and failure modes, and systematically improve yield, reproducibility, and device performance. Device Enablement & Characterization Support:Fabricate devices for materials and device characterization experiments, ensuring high process fidelity and documentation quality;Work closely with materials growth, measurement, and device physics teams to translate experimental requirements into robust fabrication solutions.Execute detailed design of experimentsanditerateresults. Documentation & Process Discipline:Rigorously document fabrication processes, protocols, and results to enable reproducibility andcrossteamknowledge transfer;Communicate results clearly in written reports and technical discussions.Transfer research and development processes to high volume manufacturing. Tool Stewardship & Knowledge Sharing: Assist with maintenance and qualification of cleanroom tools and processes;Train and mentor junior personnel on equipment operation, safety practices, and fabrication best practices. AIAcceleratedEngineering:Use modern AI tools to improve efficiency in process development, data analysis, and technical documentation;Design or leverage AI agents/copilots toassistwith experiment setup, log triage, report generation, protocol templating, and knowledge retrieval. Other Embody ourcultureandvalues. Qualifications Required Qualifications Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 3+years experiencein industry or in a research and development environment ORMaster's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+years experiencein industry or in a research and development environment ORBachelor's Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 8+years experiencein industry or in a research and development environment OR equivalent experience. As stated in the job posting, this position requires verification of citizenship or other protected status to meet legal requirements of the role. If the role requires US citizenship, as indicated in the job description, a valid US passport must be provided to verify your citizenship. If the role requires US Person status, as indicated in the job description, US citizens must provide a valid US passport for verification while lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may complete this verification using green cards or other status documents, as applicable. OtherRequirements Abilityto meet Microsoft,customerand/or government security screening requirements arerequiredfor this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will berequiredto pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their U.S. permanent residency or otherprotected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. * 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate's citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable. Ability toleverageAI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering,day-to-daytask automation). Ability to work in an "AI-first" environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development. Preferred Qualifications Handsonexperience with one or more of the following in a cleanroom environment: Electronbeamlithography Atomic layer deposition (ALD) Thinfilmmetal deposition Gate dielectric deposition and characterization Ion milling / etching processes Proventrack recordof developing or improving semiconductor process flows that materiallyimpactdevice performance. Direct experienceoptimizingand characterizingthinfilmgate dielectrics. Written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail and process rigor. Demonstrated ability to safelyoperatesophisticated equipment and handle industrial solvents, acids, and bases. Handsonexperience developing new process steps and fabrication flows for semiconductor or hybrid devices. Demonstrated ability tooperateindependently in a cleanroom environment and execute complex fabrication workflows. #Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers Quantum Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800.00 - $274,800.00 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000.00 - $304,200.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.