Quantum Systems Architect

planqc; Ulm; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Company pension

Health & fitness

Bike lease

Learning & conferences

Relocation aid

Four locations

Team events

Job summary

planqc seeks a Quantum Systems Architect to lead the architecture of major quantum computing platforms, define workpackages, interfaces, and performance targets, and coordinate across hardware, optics, electronics, software, and algorithms teams.

You will own budgets, drive design reviews, and shape how planqc engineers scalable, reliable hardware, including next-generation atom loading systems.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in physics, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience designing, building, and integrating complex quantum hardware systems.
• Deep understanding of neutral-atom quantum computing platforms and related physics.
• Proven experience leading high-impact technical projects from concept to operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of major new systems from concept through integration and commissioning.
• Document and manage the system architecture for planqc's quantum computing platforms.
• Break down system architecture into well-defined workpackages and allocate to domain experts.
• Coordinate work packages by defining interfaces, functions, and performance requirements.
• Lead design and implementation reviews to catch integration risks and keep subsystems aligned.
• Own and maintain technical budgets to meet system targets.

Skills

Neutral-atom quantum systems

Systems architecture leadership

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

AMO physics background

Hardware integration

Education

PhD or equivalent in physics/engineering

Job description

Your mission

At planqc, we are building scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms, one of the most promising platforms for achieving real-world quantum advantage. Your role is to develop our architectural vision and technically lead the product development by technically defining workpackages, interfaces and performances. At the same time you see and own the whole picture.

This role is essentially a Senior Experimental AMO Physicist role augmented by technical management and system engineering skills for efficient distribution of work in a large team. As a Quantum Systems Architect you are driving architectural decisionsonour majorquantum processingproducts and technically coordinate the work across all of its subsystems technical teams: identifying key technical risksand strategies to mitigate them, defininglogic,interfaces, functions, and performance targets, running design and implementation reviews, and maintaining the technical budgets that keep the system on track to perform.

Beyond individual projects, you will help shape how planqc does systems engineering as a discipline, establishing best practices and exchanging learnings across project teams and hardware generations. This role sits at the intersection of physics and engineering, working shoulder to shoulder with mechanics, optics, electronics, software, and quantum algorithm teams. It is ideal for someone who thinks in systems, enjoys resolving the hard trade-offs between subsystems, and wants to take technical ownership of how our neutral-atom quantum computers are built — for example, our next-generation continuous atom loading system.

Your responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of major new systems from concept through integration andcommissioning,i.e, full life cycle.To do this you
• Design, document, and manage the system architecture forplanqc'squantum computing platforms.
• Perform the technical breakdown of the system architecture into well-defined workpackages, and distribute them to the relevant domain experts and teams (e.g.performance to the algorithms team, optics to the optical subsystems team).
• Technically coordinate all work packages by defining interfaces, functions, and performance requirements for each of them.
• Lead design and implementation reviews for workpackages to catch integration risks early and keep subsystems aligned.
• Own and maintain technical budgets (e.g.performance budgets) to make sure the overall system meets its targets.
• Identify key questions and find solutions with experts in and outside the company, while keeping the whole system consistent with key requirements.

What you bring

• Deep understanding of neutral-atom quantum computing platforms (or closely related atomic/quantum systems) and the physics driving system design, such as atom trapping, loading, and coherent control.
• Proven experience architecting complex systems and breaking them down into well-scopedworkpackagesacross hardware and software components.
• Proven track record of successfully leading high-impact technical projects from concept to operation.
• PhD or equivalent industry experience in physics, engineering, or a closely related field, with a strong background in AMO physics.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing, building, and integrating complex experimental neutral atomor ionquantum hardware systems.

What characterizes you

• You think in systems: you naturally see how subsystems interact and where the real bottlenecks are. It is natural for you to see the potential solution from different aspects.
• You take ownership and drive complex technical challenges to a working solution.
• You communicate clearly across disciplines and enjoy aligning diverse technical stakeholders.
• You are rigorous about requirements, interfaces, and trade-offs, without losing sight of the big picture.
• You are motivated by turning cutting-edgephysics into scalable, reliable hardware.
• You enjoy sharing best practices and helping other teams learn from what has already been solved elsewhere.

Why join planqc

At planqc, you will work on one of the most promising quantum computing architectures alongside a highly driven and collaborative team spanning physics, engineering, and software.

We combine deep-tech research with an engineering mindset, turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable quantum systems.

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

Benefits at planqc

• 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.

Keywords

Quantum Systems Architect, Systems engineering, Technical Lead, Architecture and design, System Integration, Technical program management