A quantum career leap

Since completing his undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon in 1990, Michael Nystrom's career path has evolved from materials research and display technologies to advanced optoelectronics packaging to his current role at Microsoft where he leads cryogenic quantum hardware packaging/integration as Principal Hardware Engineer. He shared some of his most recent work with graduate students at a seminar presentation in October, reviewing developments in Microsoft's Majorana-based topological qubit program. Recent advances in packaging of devices are critical to the performance and reliability of today’s technologies, from smart phones to data centers.

As the technical lead for quantum packaging, Nystrom is responsible for leadership and roadmapping in his department, as well as developing partnerships with suppliers. In his prior role at Microsoft he contributed to the development of the HoloLens augmented reality headset, leading MEMS scanning mirror technologies. 

“Quantum tends to be a very academic field, and bringing in the engineering expertise to the table is beneficial in working to address challenges,” he notes. 

Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, Nystrom recalls visits to Carnegie Mellon’s campus with his grandfather, who was friends with a groundskeeper at the University.  At a young age, Micheal marvelled at the idea of becoming a student at CMU, and had the opportunity to experience campus life in high school as a participant in the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences. 

Having a degree from CMU makes a difference as you enter the workforce

Michael Nystrom, BS '90, Principal Hardware Engineer, Microsoft

As he started his studies in engineering at CMU, the materials science and engineering department was then known as the metallurgy engineering and materials science (MEMS) department, and the steel industry dominated the Pittsburgh area. He was drawn to take the introductory course in materials with Henry Peeler, which along with coursework in electronic materials, ultimately led him to pursue a degree in materials science.

After participating in the co-op program with Ford, he decided to pursue his doctoral degree at Northwestern University, where his focus was optical and ferroelectric materials. From there, he decided to follow career opportunities in Silicon Valley at Agilent, where his work started in networking technology but later moved to packaging as a need developed in that area. 

While technologies and material capabilities have evolved a great deal since his time at Carnegie Mellon, Nystrom maintains an appreciation for the strong foundation that his undergraduate education continues to have.  

“Carnegie Mellon continues to have a very strong reputation in Silicon Valley and beyond,” he notes. “Having a degree from CMU makes a difference as you enter the workforce, as graduates have proven themselves to be hard working.”