Senior Quantum Analog Layout Engineer

Microsofts Quantum team is building the first scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computer, advancing everything from quantum hardware and error correction to Azure integration. Our full-stack strategy spans the physics of quantum devices through scalable readout and control infrastructures powered by cryo-electronics. As quantum computing enters a pivotal phase of accelerated growth, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a transformative technology, such as the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and analog circuitry developed by this team.

As a Senior Quantum Analog Layout Engineer on the Quantum 1st Party Hardware ASIC team, you will play a critical leadership role in advancing Microsofts quantum analog infrastructure, driving Analog Layout designs and coordinating employees, contingent staff, and external vendors to deliver high-quality designs.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we 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

• Deliver Schematic-to-Graphic Database System (GDS) layouts for cutting-edge, high-performance, high-speed, low-power IP designs, including interconnectivity solutions and foundational Analog circuit blocks. Execute these layouts across multiple process nodes, including deep Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET), following industry best practices.
• Develop plans for Analog Mask Layout execution and follow processes and methodologies to deliver IP blocks. Coordinate tasks with junior layout team members as needed.
• Using Cadence Virtuoso (or other equivalent) design tools and flows; perform layout implementation of analog-intensive IPs and help establish flows, methodologies, and processes for execution alongside peers.
• Support the on-boarding and off-boarding of contingent layout staff and vendor partners as needed; help direct their day-to-day execution to ensure quality and schedule are met.
• Work with other members of the team to deliver IPs, including project planning, schedule tracking, and report generation. Follow, augment, or put in place processes and methodologies for high-quality execution alongside peers.
• Other
  • Embody our culture and values.  

Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications 

• Doctorate in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 1+ year(s) experience in industry or in a research and development environment, could include completion of a post doctoral research position 
  • OR Masters Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment   
  • OR Bachelors Degree in Physics, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years experience in industry or in a research and development environment 
  • OR equivalent experience. 

Other Requirements

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:  
  • Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to 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 other protected 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 to leverage AI tools to drive innovation and efficiency (e.g., performance modeling and analysis, research gathering, day to day task automation). 
• Ability to work in an “AI-first” environment using modern AI tools to accelerate discovery through hardware development. 

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Analog Mask Layout execution and IP delivery, including delivery of medium-to-large complexity analog blocks into mass production.
• 5+ years of lead experience covering day-to-day task coordination and overall delivery responsibilities across a layout team.
• Proficient use of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools from Cadence, Mentor, and Synopsys, including advanced Schematic-Driven Layout (SDL).
• Hands-on layout experience with high-performance analog blocks such as Voltage-Controlled Oscillators (VCOs), charge pumps, interpolators, bandgap references, Operational Transconductance Amplifiers (OTAs), Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs), Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Converters (ADCs/DACs), Low-Dropout Regulators (LDOs), Serializer/Deserializers (SerDes), and other foundational analog blocks.
• In-depth knowledge of analog design and layout guidelines for high-performance, high-speed, and/or low-power designs, including floor-planning, block-level routing, and large macro-level assemblies.
• Knowledge of industry-standard analog layout techniques such as common-centroid layout, matching, symmetrical layouts, signal shielding, use of dummy devices, and thermal-aware layouts with consideration for Electromigration/IR-drop (EM/IR) and other analog-specific guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate execution with external vendors and contingent staff, including scoping deliverables, tracking progress, and accepting completed work.
• Ability to learn cryogenic Process Design Kits (PDKs) and apply analog layout techniques to designs that operate at cryogenic temperatures.

#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers 

Quantum Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 per year.