Quantum Hardware Engineer - Optical Systems

Entangled Future; Garching bei München, Ulm; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Company pension (Betriebliche Altersv.

Health days and fitness benefits (EGYM

Job bike

Learning and development; conferences

Relocation and visa support

Four locations: Garching, Munich, Ulm,

Team events

Job summary

planqc is a German neutral-atom quantum computing company focused on scalable optical subsystems. We seek a Quantum Hardware Engineer – Optical Systems to own the engineering lifecycle of optical systems, from concept through verification, delivering robust, well-characterized hardware.

You will design and realize precision optical subsystems for beam delivery, shaping, imaging, and metrology, and work closely with quantum physics, laser, mechanics, electronics, and software teams to

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in a relevant optics or physics field.
• Experience designing, realizing, and verifying precision optical systems in industry or research.
• Hands-on lab skills with optical assembly and testing.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own engineering lifecycle of optical systems from concept to verification.
• Design precision optical subsystems for beam delivery, shaping, imaging, and metrology.
• Collaborate with quantum engineering and hardware teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Develop assembly, alignment, and acceptance procedures.

Skills

Optical design

Optical metrology

CAD

Simulation

Tolerancing

Beam shaping

Imaging optics

Fiber optics

Lab skills

System integration

Education

M.Sc./Ph.D. in Optical Engineering

Tools

Zemax

Optical bench equipment

CAD software

Job description

At planqc, we are building scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms, one of the most promising platforms for achieving real-world quantum advantage. The performance of our quantum processors depend critically on the precision, stability and reliability of their optical subsystems. From trapping and transporting atoms to qubit control and state detection, almost every key function relies on carefully engineered optics. As a Quantum Hardware Engineer – Optical Systems, you will take ownership of the optical systems that enable our quantum computers. You will translate system requirements into robust optical solutions and drive them through their complete engineering lifecycle : from concept development through design, realization, integration and verification. Your work will span areas such as beam delivery and shaping, imaging, optical metrology, and optical integration , In close collaboration with experts for quantum physics, laser systems, mechanics, electronics and software. This role is ideal for hands-on optical engineers who enjoy combining optical design with practical laboratory work, take pride in building reliable and well-characterized systems, and want to help industrialize cutting-edge optical technology for large-scale quantum computing.

What characterizes you

• You enjoy solving challenging engineering problems in the lab and turning complexity into simple, effective solutions.
• You don't stop when something works, you want to understand why it works.
• You enjoy working at the interface between physics and engineering.
• You are excited to help make scalable quantum computing a reality.

Joining us means

• Working on cutting-edge neutral atom quantum hardware
• Taking ownership of quantum systems from day one
• Collaborating with an exceptional, international team across disciplines
• Contributing to a fast-growing quantum startup at a pivotal stage

What you'll do

• 01 Own the engineering lifecycle of optical systems, from system requirements and concept development through design, integration, verification, and continuous improvement.
• 02 Design and realize precision optical systems for applications including beam delivery, beam shaping, beam steering, imaging, and optical metrology.
• 03 Establish and apply methods for optical design, characterization, and performance verification using optical simulation and metrology tools.
• 04 Specify, evaluate, and qualify optical components and assemblies in collaboration with external development and manufacturing partners.
• 05 Develop standardized assembly, alignment, characterization, and acceptance procedures to ensure robust, scalable, and maintainable optical systems.
• 06 Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve optical system issues throughout development, integration, and operation.
• 07 Collaborate closely with quantum engineering and hardware engineering teams to realize integrated optical solutions.

What they're looking for

• Degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Optical Engineering, Experimental Physics, Mechanical Engineering (with an optics focus), or a related discipline.
• Experience designing, realizing, and verifying precision optical systems in an industrial or research environment.
• Experience with optical design and engineering methods, including tolerancing, simulation, CAD, and optical metrology.
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills, including optical assembly, alignment, cleaning, and testing.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge in one or more of the following areas:Free-space laser opticsFiber optics and fiber couplingImaging opticsElectro-optic and acousto-optic technologies

Nice to have

• Experience taking optical systems from concept to production.
• Background in stability engineering, including the mitigation of thermal, mechanical, or optical drift.
• Experience developing precision optical systems or instrumentation, for example in the semiconductor, optical metrology, microscopy, or laser industries.
• Experience with neutral-atom, ion-trap, or other quantum computing or quantum sensing platforms.
• Experience working in a dynamic startup or other fast-paced engineering environment.

Pay and benefits

• Flexible working. Flexible hours and hybrid work where the role allows.
• Company pension. Betriebliche Altersvorsorge with an employer contribution.
• Health and fitness. EGYM Wellpass for gyms, pools and studios, plus regular Health Days.
• Job bike. Lease a bike through planqc.
• Learning and development. Trainings and conference participation, including international conferences. Plus regular internal learning sessions where colleagues share their knowledge.
• Relocation and visa support. Practical support for international hires and their move to Germany or Austria.
• Four locations. Headquarters in Garching, an office in central Munich, plus sites in Ulm and Innsbruck.
• Team culture. Regular team and company events throughout the year, from after work socials to our summer and Christmas parties.

planqc is a German neutral-atom quantum computing company built on research from the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics. Its technology uses individual atoms confined in crystals of light as qubits, and the company has demonstrated scaling of neutral atoms to 1,200 qubits.