We present a detailed simulation and design framework for realizing traveling-wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) using the nonlinear kinetic inductance of disordered superconductors—in our case niobium-titanium-nitride ($\mathrm{Nb}\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{N}$). These kinetic inductance TWPAs (KITs) operate via three-wave mixing to achieve high broadband gain and near-quantum-limited noise. Representative fabricated devices—realized using an inverted microstrip, dispersion-engineered, artificial transmission line—demonstrate power gains above 25 dB and bandwidths beyond 3 GHz, and achieve ultimate system noise levels of 1.1 quanta, even when operated with no magnetic shielding. These performance metrics are competitive with state-of-the-art Josephson-junction-based TWPAs, while offering further advantages: KITs require simpler fabrication, provide more than 3 orders of magnitude higher dynamic range (${\mathrm{IIP}}_1=-68\mathrm{dBm}$, ${\mathrm{IIP}}_3=-55\mathrm{dBm}$), and offer higher magnetic field resilience. These features make KITs an attractive technology for highly multiplexed readout of quantum information and superconducting detector systems.

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• Optoelectronics
• Quantum information with solid state qubits
• Superconducting quantum optics
• Optical parametric oscillators & amplifiers
• Superconducting devices
• Traveling waves
• Microwave techniques