New

Quantum Systems Software Development Engineer II

Microsoft
$102,100.00 - $202,200.00 / yr
United States, Washington, Redmond
Aug 22, 2026
Overview Microsoft is the world's center of expertise on topological quantum computing. We are building a scaled, faulttolerant quantum computer grounded in topological qubits and integrated endtoend with the Azure Quantum software stack. As a Quantum Systems Software Development Engineer II in our Quantum Systems organization, you will contribute to the development of software systems used to control, configure, and interface with scientific instruments that operate and measure advanced quantum hardware. This role focuses on building reliable, wellstructured software components primarily in Python, with supporting systemslevel development in languages such as C/C++ that communicate with networked, FPGA and SoCbased devices using both standardized and proprietary protocols. Our work sits at the intersection of hardware, software, and physics. You will work closely with experienced software engineers, quantum experimentalists, and hardware partners to help turn evolving research systems into robust, repeatable, and observable instrument platforms, while learning how complex hardware-software systems are developed, tested, andoperated. At Microsoft Quantum, our mission is to empower science and scientists to solve the world's hardest problems by realizing advanced computing platforms at the intersection ofhighperformancecomputing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information technology. Learn more at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum If you enjoy working onrealworldsystems at the hardware-software boundary, learning fromcrossdisciplinaryteams, and using modern tools (including AI) to improveengineering productivity,we'dlove to talk. Responsibilities Design, implement, andmaintainsoftware used to control andinterface withscientific and experimental instruments, including custom control, readout, and related hardware subsystems. Develop andmaintainPythonbasedAPIs, libraries, and toolsused by experimentalists and automation workflows, while contributing supporting components insystemslevellanguages as needed. Translate hardware capabilities, communication protocols, and system constraints intoclean,wellfactoredsoftware abstractionswith clear ownership boundaries. Develop software for instruments that communicate overproprietary,nonVISAprotocols, while also supporting standardized interfaces (e.g., VISA/SCPI) where applicable. Applysoftware quality practicesto ensureinstrumentcontrolsoftware is reliable, testable, and maintainable, including unit testing, debugging, and validation. Collaborateclosely with hardware, firmware, and system software engineers during instrumentbringup, integration, and debugging. Contribute toshared libraries, patterns, and frameworksrelated to instrument control to improve consistency andlongtermmaintainability. Embody ourCultureandValues Qualifications Required Qualifications Master's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Physical Sciences, or related field AND 1+ year(s) software industry experience, including research and/or development of commercial software, compilers, scientific computing applications, or multi-component systems OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Physical Sciences, or related field AND 2+ years software industry experience, including research and/or development of commercial software, compilers, scientific computing applications, or multi-component systems OR equivalent experience. 2+yearsprogramming experience in related programming languages. 1+ year(s) experience in a collaborative environment. 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. AdditionalorPreferred Qualifications StrongproficiencyinPython and at least onesystemslevelprogramming language (C, C++, C#, or Rust), including designing maintainable, extensible software using soundobjectorientedand modular design principles, and the ability to work effectively across language boundaries. Demonstrated ability todesign, implement, and deliver software at the feature orcomponentlevel, working from defined requirements and collaborating with partners to clarify scope, constraints, and tradeoffs. Experiencedeveloping software that interfaces with hardwareornetworkconnectedexternal systems, such as scientific instruments, embedded systems, or custom services, including working with both standardized (e.g., VISA/SCPI) and proprietary communication protocols. Ability to apply software quality and verification practices, includingunit testing, debugging, validation, and (where applicable) CI/CD orhardwareinthelooptesting, to ensure correctness and reliability. Experience developing instrument control, measurement, or experimental automation software, including familiarity with data acquisition systems, measurement pipelines, and associated metadata or data workflows. Experience designing or contributing to APIs or Python bindings layered oversystemslevelcode. Background in physics, quantum computing, or other applied scientific or engineering domains. Other Requirements Ability to meet Microsoft, customer, and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role, including: Microsoft Cloud Background Check(upon hire and every two years thereafter) Citizenship and Citizenship Verification:This role may require access to exportcontrolled information under applicable regulations (e.g., ITAR, EAR). Eligibility will be assessed in accordance with legal requirements. Ability toleverage AI toolsto drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day to day task automation). Familiarity with designing andbuilding AI agents/copilotsthat assist with design, development, experiment setup, log triage, report generation, specification generation, and knowledge retrieval (e.g. instrument manuals, design docs). Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer.We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. #Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers Quantum Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 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 $133,800 - $219,200 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.