Overview

Denmark is building one of the world's most powerful quantum computers — and Microsoft is at the center of it. We're looking for a Principal Technical Program Manager - Quantum to serve as Microsoft's on-the-ground leader for our strategic partnership with QuNorth, the Danish quantum initiative backed the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Denmark's Export and Investment Fund (EIFO). You will be Microsoft Quantum team member in a dedicated partner-facing role in Denmark, responsible for making this partnership deliver real results — from co-development milestones on the "Magne" quantum computer to building Microsoft's broader quantum ecosystem across the Nordics. This is a build-from-zero, high-autonomy position where you'll shape how Microsoft shows up in one of Europe's fastest-growing quantum markets.

What We Offer

• The chance to build from the ground up. You will define how Microsoft Quantum operates in Denmark. 

• Direct access to leadership on both sides. You will work directly with QuNorth's executive team and with senior leaders in Microsoft Quantum 

• Work at the intersection of science and strategy. QuNorth is building a 50-logical-qubit quantum computer using neutral-atom technology and Microsoft's Quantum stack. Magne is under construction, with operations targeted for late 2026 / early 2027. 

• Microsoft's full support. Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, stock awards, pension contributions, and career development resources  

• Location: Copenhagen, Denmark, with regular travel to Microsoft's Lyngby quantum lab, Redmond (WA), and Nordic partner sites. 

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, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum.

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

Partnership Execution

• Serve as Microsoft's primary point of contact for QuNorth, building a trusted working relationship with CEO and leadership team. 

• Lead regular business reviews, executive alignment sessions, and joint planning cycles that keep both organizations focused and accountable. 

• Own escalation management: identify blockers early, route them to the right teams, and drive resolution across both organizations with urgency and clarity. 

Ecosystem Development

• Build Microsoft's quantum ecosystem presence in Denmark and across the Nordic region — not by following a playbook, but by writing one.  

• Work with QuNorth in jointly put together winning playbook in making Denmark, a Quantum center of excellence across Nordics, where not only Quantum enthusiasts converge to but also commercial companies and users.  

• Engage key government stakeholders and funding bodies, to align QuNorth and Microsoft's quantum efforts with national and regional priorities. 

• Develop and deepen relationships with leading Nordic universities and research centers — DTU, the Niels Bohr Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Aalto University, Chalmers University of Technology — as pathways for talent, research collaboration, and technology adoption. 

• Identify and cultivate partnerships with emerging Nordic quantum companies (including start ups and existing quantum companies etc) to expand Quantum's partner network and regional relevance. 

Technical Triage & Cross-Org Bridge

• Receive, assess, and prioritize technical challenges surfaced by QuNorth — translating partner needs into actionable requests for Microsoft engineering teams. 

• Route problems to the right people across Microsoft's quantum labs in Lyngby, engineering teams in Redmond and Prague, and the broader Microsoft Quantum organization — and make sure they don't get lost in transit. 

• Track resolution end-to-end, ensure follow-through on commitments, and report recurring patterns and systemic issues to Microsoft Quantum leadership. 

• Serve as a two-way translator: help QuNorth understand Microsoft's technical capabilities and internal constraints, and help Microsoft understand the real-world needs and timelines of a partner building a quantum computer on European soil. 

Strategic Influence

• Represent Microsoft Quantum at Nordic industry events, government roundtables, quantum working groups, and academic forums — as a credible, informed voice. 

• Contribute to Microsoft's global quantum partner strategy through learnings from Nordic market insights — competitive dynamics, policy shifts, funding trends, talent flows  

Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required

• Deep experience in partner management, business development, or ecosystem development within deep technology sectors (quantum computing, semiconductors, photonics, advanced computing, or adjacent fields). 

• Demonstrated experience working across multiple countries and time zones with distributed engineering and product teams. 

• Technical fluency in quantum computing, photonics, neutral-atom systems, semiconductor physics, or related deep tech domains — sufficient to engage credibly with scientists and engineers, though a PhD is not required. 

• A track record of building something from 0→1: a new market entry, a new strategic partnership, a new program in an organization that didn't exist before you arrived. 

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. Fluent in English. Danish or another Scandinavian language is preferred. 

Preferred

• Direct experience in the Nordic technology or research ecosystem. 

• Experience working at or partnering with national laboratories, quantum startups, government R&D agencies, or public-private innovation programs. 

• Familiarity with Microsoft's technology stack — Azure, AI services, developer tools — and how enterprise cloud platforms integrate with emerging hardware. 

• Background in product management, program management, or technical business development at a large technology company. 

• Comfort operating with high autonomy, limited local infrastructure, and ambiguity — the kind of environment where you set the agenda rather than follow one. 

Other

• 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.   
• Experience with AI-driven productivity tools (e.g., Copilot, automated testing, intelligent alerting).
• Hands-on experience using latest AI development tools to drive engineering efficiency.

#Quantum #QuantumCareers #MDQCareers

Technical Program Management IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Denmark is kr 1,185,200.00 - kr 1,777,800.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/denmark-corporate-pay.html

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.