Quantum Applications Architect

black.ai; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PsiQuantum is building fault‑tolerant quantum computers and seeking a Quantum Applications Architect to discover and evaluate high‑impact algorithms. You will work across applications and architecture teams, collaborating with external partners to translate theory into practical quantum solutions.

You will help design, benchmark, and optimize applications for near‑term hardware while staying abreast of classical advances and industry needs. This is a fast‑moving startup environment in Brisbane.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Physics, Math, or Computer Science or equivalent.
• Significant research experience in quantum algorithms, compilation, complexity, or applications research.
• Experience with quantum algorithms or compiling in fault-tolerant regimes preferred.
• Problem solver with an analytical mindset and a results‑driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Research and development of techniques for quantum algorithms tailored for fault‑tolerant quantum computers.
• Design, development, and benchmarking of quantum applications and required tooling.
• Collaborate with external partners and internal teams to instantiate and optimize quantum algorithms for diverse use cases.
• Simulate and analyze resource requirements for fault‑tolerant implementation in photonic quantum computing.
• Coordinate with architecture group to co‑optimize algorithm methods with design.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Team collaboration

Results‑driven

Independent work

Education

Graduate degree in Physics/Math/CS

Job description

PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault‑tolerant quantum systems.

Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries.

Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high‑volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber‑optic infrastructure.

In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government‑funded projects to support the build‑out of our first utility‑scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale.

PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes‑Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real‑world impact.

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real.

Come join us.

Job Summary:

PsiQuantum’s applications team is uniquely focused on algorithms in the fault tolerant regime and is very tightly integrated with quantum architecture development. Within that team, the role of the algorithms team is to design, benchmark and implement quantum algorithms which drive the development of quantum applications for solving the world’s most pressing problems. Part of the team’s remit is to work closely with the quantum industry applications team, on one hand, to better understand the landscape of commercially viable use cases, and the compilation and software teams on the other, to better understand the precise capabilities and limitations of the hardware being built. This work takes quantum algorithms from concept to reality, may involve close collaboration with external partners on specific use cases, and directly enables the discovery of both new quantum application use‑cases and novel algorithmic techniques.

The role of a quantum applications architect is to work closely with these teams to discover and evaluate the performance of new quantum applications.

The role itself therefore sits at the confluence of a variety of competencies. Success requires the ability to: create new solutions to emerging challenges, converse at a deep technical level with applications architects, solutions experts and external parties about their needs and how their research is best expedited by quantum algorithms; and to use co‑developed tooling to drive the commercial interests of the company. It is the expectation of a Quantum Applications Architect to build quantum applications and algorithms both in advance of large‑scale hardware and during its operation, and to be abreast of the best classical solutions to these applications.

Responsibilities:

• Research and development of techniques for quantum algorithms tailored for fault‑tolerant quantum computers.
• Contribute to the design, development, and benchmarking of quantum applications and the tools required for these tasks.
• Work closely with external partners and internal teams to instantiate, validate and optimize quantum algorithms for use cases across a variety of domains, such as life sciences or sustainability.
• Simulation and analysis of resource requirements for fault tolerant implementation of quantum algorithms in photonic quantum computing.
• Collaborate with quantum architecture group to co‑optimize algorithm methods with architectural design.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Physics, Math, or Computer Science or equivalent required (MSc, PhD, or equivalent).
• Significant research experience in quantum algorithms, compilation, complexity, or applications research.
• Experience with quantum algorithms or compiling in the regime of fault tolerant gates preferred.
• A results‑driven “doer”, preferably with experience in a high‑throughput, rapid‑delivery work environment.
• A problem solver, with an analytical mindset.
• Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments, sites, and time zones.
• Ability to work independently and contribute in a fast‑moving start‑up environment.

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.