Quantum Sensing Engineer (NV Centers) (f/m/d)

QuantumDiamonds; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellpass membership

30 vacation days

Equity program

Team off-sites and events

Job summary

QuantumDiamonds GmbH, Munich, is seeking a Quantum Sensing Engineer (NV Centers) to own the NV sensing chain of the QDM, from laser excitation through microwave control to fluorescence readout. This hands-on R&D role spans quantum physics, experimental hardware, and sensor development.

You will develop measurement protocols (ODMR variants, pulsed sequences, lock-in schemes), prototype hardware improvements, and drive recipe optimizations for NV-layer epitaxy, irradiation, and coatings,

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent hands-on NV center experience.
• Strong knowledge of ODMR, optical spin polarization, and magnetometry.
• Systems-thinking with hands-on lab troubleshooting across optics and electronics.
• Willingness to rapidly build expertise in diamond growth, irradiation, annealing, and coatings.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end NV sensing chain of the QDM from laser excitation to camera readout.
• Develop and benchmark measurement protocols (ODMR variants, pulsed sequences, lock-in schemes).
• Prototype hardware improvements across microwave delivery and photon collection and validate concepts in the lab.
• Steer diamond sensor R&D and drive recipe optimizations for NV-layer epitaxy, irradiation and annealing, surface preparation, and coatings.
• Define diamond specifications and correlate material parameters with system performance.
• Collaborate across hardware and software and document findings for the Product Development Team.

Skills

Python

NV centers

Experiment control

System-level thinking

Education

PhD in Physics

Job description

Description

QuantumDiamonds is building commercial quantum sensing tools for semiconductor inspection and failure analysis. As our Quantum Sensing Engineer (NV Centers), you will join the Hardware Pre-Development Team and take technical ownership of the sensing core of our widefield Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM).

At the heart of your role is one question: how do we get more performance out of the NV sensing system?

You will work across the complete sensing chain — from the diamond sensor and laser excitation through microwave spin control and bias magnetics to fluorescence collection and camera readout. When sensitivity, resolution, speed, or stability falls short, you will investigate the system end to end, identify the limiting mechanism, and turn your findings into measurable improvements.

The diamond sensor itself is an important part of that challenge. Together with internal experts and external partners, you will help drive the development of our NV diamond material — connecting epitaxy, irradiation, annealing, surface preparation, and optical coatings to the performance we ultimately achieve at the system level.

This is a hands-on R&D role spanning quantum physics, experimental hardware, and sensor development. You will take ideas from first principles through experiments and prototypes to validated technologies that can be transferred into our products.

Who we are

Founded in 2022 as a spin-off of TU Munich, QD leverages quantum sensors to rapidly capture three-dimensional current maps within multi-layer chips. Our strong, international team of over 70, including physicists, engineers, data scientists, and other experts, works side by side with major semiconductor manufacturers, supporting chip debugging and accelerating yield analysis. Backed by top-tier deep tech investors, semiconductor experts, and strategic public programs, we have ensured long-term stability, shifting from breakthrough to scale - and shaping the next chapter in chip testing.

Why join QuantumDiamonds?

Picture this:

• Quantum sensors that see inside the most advanced chips on Earth, right where two frontier fields collide.

• Nobel-Prize physics aimed at real customers with real problems, in production now, not someday.

• Physicists, data scientists, and engineers building side by side, turning deep science into tools the industry actually runs on.

• An international team that runs at hard problems for fun, where knowledge moves fast and so does you.

Still unsure about why joining us?

• You’ll get to build a company together with a brilliant and welcoming team on a product that has never been done before.

• From Day 1, you'll own your own topics end to end and see the direct impact of your work on how the world sees QuantumDiamonds.

• Our technology is the cutting edge of tomorrow, starting today and not in 10 years.

• You’ll be part of a high-growth company backed by top-tier investors.

Let’s make the invisible visible!

What will you do

• Own the end-to-end NV sensing chain of the QDM, from laser excitation and diamond sensor through microwave spin control and bias field to fluorescence collection and camera readout.

• Develop and benchmark measurement protocols (e.g., ODMR variants, pulsed sequences, lock-in and referencing schemes) that improve sensitivity, speed, and robustness.

• Prototype hardware improvements across microwave delivery, photon collection, bias magnetics, and timing, and validate every concept hands-on in the lab.

• Steer our diamond sensor R&D, providing technical direction to our diamond material/process experts and driving recipe optimizations for NV-layer epitaxy, irradiation and annealing, surface preparation, and optical coatings towards our system-level performance goals.

• Define diamond specifications, characterize new material generations (NV density, contrast, coherence, strain), and correlate material parameters with system performance.

• Collaborate across hardware and software, document your findings, and hand over validated technologies to our Product Development Team.

What is expected of you

• A degree in Physics, Quantum Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, typically with a PhD or equivalent hands-on experience with NV centers or a closely related quantum sensing platform.

• Deep understanding of NV physics: ODMR, optical spin polarization and readout, and magnetometry protocols, and how they set practical sensitivity limits.

• Systems-level thinking and solid working knowledge of the optics and electronics around a quantum sensing experiment: you troubleshoot across domain boundaries down to the root cause.

• A working understanding of how diamond growth, doping, irradiation, annealing, and coatings shape NV properties, or the drive to build this expertise fast.

• The ability to steer recipe development with partners: defining specifications, designing characterization campaigns, and turning results into process improvements.

• Confident use of Python for experiment control, automation, and data analysis.

• Strong communication and documentation skills, comfortable in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team. The working language is English.

Nice to have:

• Experience with widefield NV magnetometry or camera-based quantum imaging.

• Familiarity with semiconductor failure analysis, inspection, or metrology.

• Hands-on experience with CVD diamond growth, irradiation and annealing, or thin-film optical coatings.

Our benefits

• Mission: At QD, we’re driven by more than just building great products - we aim to make a lasting difference. Joining us means contributing to meaningful work that goes beyond business as usual.

• Impact & growth: This is an exciting stage of our journey, and your voice matters. You’ll have the chance to shape our culture, influence key decisions, and grow alongside a company that’s scaling fast.

• Health & fitness: With a company-sponsored Wellpass membership, you’ll have access to countless gyms, classes, and wellness offers across Germany to stay healthy and active.

• Team & culture: We believe the best ideas come when we connect outside the office. From regular off-sites to team events, you’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive environment.

• Well-being & balance: We value rest and recovery. That’s why you’ll enjoy 30 vacation days plus public holidays to recharge and return inspired.

• Learning & development: Your growth is our priority. We provide an annual budget dedicated to courses, conferences, or any resources that help you expand your skills.

• Ownership & participation: As part of our equity program, you’ll directly share in our success and the value we create together.

About us

QuantumDiamonds GmbH, headquartered in Munich, Germany, develops and manufactures semiconductor inspection systems based on quantum sensing. Spun out of the Technical University of Munich in 2022, the company uses nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to map electrical current with micrometer precision inside advanced 2.5D and 3D chip architectures. Nine of the world's ten largest semiconductor manufacturers are engaged with QuantumDiamonds, with systems deployed across Europe, the United States, and Asia. The company is investing €152 million to build the world's first production facility for quantum sensing-based semiconductor inspection tools, supported under the European Chips Act.