Senior Partnership Manager, Cryogenic Components

IQM Quantum Computers; Espoo; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work setups

Flexible hours

Learning budget

Flat hierarchy

Job summary

IQM Quantum Computers in Espoo is seeking a Senior Partnership Manager, Cryogenic Components to build and manage strategic supplier relationships for cryogenic hardware, including dilution refrigerators, microwaves and cryogenic amplifiers. You will balance roadmap priorities with external partners to ensure supply security and scalable delivery for future quantum systems.

You will split time between partnerships and a grant project, coordinating with engineering, procurement and legal teams,

Qualifications

• MSc in physics, electrical or microwave engineering, or related field.
• At least 3 years in quantum hardware, cryogenics, or microwave industry with 2+ years in partnerships.
• Strong understanding of cryogenic components and dilution refrigerators.

Responsibilities

• Identify cryogenic tech gaps with engineering and decide make/partner/buy.
• Find and evaluate suppliers/partners based on performance, capacity and supply security.
• Lead partner relationships, define scopes, timelines and milestones.
• Negotiate partnerships, supply, confidentiality and IP agreements with legal and procurement.
• Map supply dependencies and reduce reliance on single sources for critical cryogenic parts.
• Coordinate hardware roadmap work within the grant project and manage IP boundaries.
• Monitor emerging tech and share progress with engineering and leadership.

Skills

Partnership management

Supplier evaluation

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

MSc in physics or engineering (related field)

Tools

None

Job description

At IQM, we build world-leading quantum computers for the well-being of humankind. We design systems to tackle computational challenges beyond the practical limits of classical machines. Our work sits at the edge of science and engineering. It's complex, demanding, and deeply collaborative. We turn deep research into reliable, full-stack systems that drive discoveries in fields like medicine, energy, and technology, reshaping how the world computes. Join the team that gives quantum a heartbeat.

The work

Scaling quantum computers means making sure the technology around our qubits can scale with them. As our Senior Partnership Manager, Cryogenic Components, you will build the partnerships that help close technology gaps and secure a reliable supply of critical cryogenic components. You will join our Technology Partnerships team, reporting to the VP of Quantum Systems. Working closely with engineering, procurement and our Senior Partnership Manager, Electronics, you will connect IQM’s technical roadmap with the suppliers and partners who can help deliver it. Your scope covers the cryogenic chain from the vacuum feedthrough down to the mixing chamber, including dilution refrigerators, cabling, microwave components and cryogenic amplifiers. Alongside your partnership work, you will coordinate IQM’s hardware roadmap contribution to an international grant project involving European and Japanese partners. During the project, approximately 65% of your time will focus on partnerships and supply chain development, and 35% on the grant project.

What You’ll Actually Do

• Work with engineering teams to identify cryogenic technology gaps and recommend where to build internally, partner or buy.
• Find and evaluate suppliers and technology partners based on technical performance, manufacturing capacity, supply security and their ability to support larger quantum systems.
• Lead partner relationships, agree on project scopes, timelines and deliverables, and track progress against milestones.
• Negotiate partnership, supply, confidentiality and intellectual property agreements together with legal and procurement.
• Map critical supply dependencies, qualify alternative suppliers and reduce reliance on single sources for essential cryogenic components.
• Coordinate hardware roadmap work within the grant project, contribute to technical exchanges and present results within agreed intellectual property limits.
• Follow emerging technologies and market developments, contribute component specifications ahead of standardisation, and share progress and risks with engineering teams and senior leadership.

What We’re Looking For

• An MSc in physics, electrical engineering, microwave engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least three years of experience in quantum hardware, cryogenics, low temperature physics or the microwave industry, including minimum 2 years in partnerships, supplier management or technical business development.
• Strong understanding of dilution refrigerators, heat loads, thermalisation and cryogenic RF and microwave components, including how they affect superconducting qubit performance.
• Experience evaluating technical solutions and working with industrial suppliers or equipment manufacturers in a technology driven environment.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills, with a general understanding of contracts, intellectual property and export control.
• The ability to assess technical gaps and supply risks under uncertainty, turn findings into clear recommendations and build shared ownership across teams.
• Fluent English, with the ability to write clear technical reports and communicate with partners, researchers and senior leadership.
• You’re comfortable with frequent international travel, including trips to the USA and Asia.

Why IQM?

• Full-stack quantum computing: From quantum hardware to software layers and beyond, we build across the full-stack.
• High-performance playground: We aim high, and we know sustainable performance only works when life outside work does too—hybrid setups, flexible hours.
• Never the smartest: You won’t always be the smartest person in the room. Neither will we. Expect to learn constantly - from each other and beyond with IQM’s Learning Hub, LinkedIn Learning, and a team-based L&D budget.
• Approachable leadership: Flat hierarchy, direct access. Feel free to approach any leaders. They're friendlier than they look!
• The sweet spot: Big enough to matter. Small enough to move fast. Growing between a startup and a corporation. We’re in the phase where top performers get noticed.
• Bigger than IQM: Our people build know-how for the entire quantum ecosystem. We publish papers, run hackathons, and help shape a market that's still being defined.

The future of computing won’t build itself. You might be one of the few who do.

• Meet our people and learn more about IQM on our stories page.
• Explore our scientific publications.

600M€+ Total Funding | 400+ Team Members | 30+ Quantum Computers Built | 300+ Patents Filed | 10 Location Globally

At IQM, we build world-leading quantum computers for the well-being of humankind. We design systems to tackle computational challenges beyond the practical limits of classical machines. Our work sits at the edge of science and engineering. It's complex, demanding, and deeply collaborative. We turn deep research into reliable, full-stack systems that drive discoveries in fields like medicine, energy, and technology, reshaping how the world computes. Join the team that gives quantum a heartbeat.