Quantum Algorithms - Application & User Support

Quandela; Bruyères-le-Châtel; Hybride; EUR 45 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A deeptech company in France is looking for a Support Engineer to facilitate the usability of their quantum computers and foster a user community. You will be the key contact for researchers, helping them solve issues and utilize the quantum system effectively. The role involves on-site presence and hybrid work. Candidates should possess advanced Python skills, familiarity with quantum frameworks, and the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts. Competitive salary of €45k-60k is offered.

Prestations

Profit-sharing

100% health coverage

Meal vouchers

Transport/mobility support

Qualifications

• Proven track record in application or user support.
• Experience in high-performance computing environments.
• Ability to engage a technical user community.

Responsabilités

• Handle tickets and debug algorithm workflows.
• Support users in adopting the platform.
• Organize workshops and connect users.

Connaissances

Advanced Python

Familiarity with quantum frameworks (Qiskit, Perceval, Cirq)

Strong debugging and documentation rigor

Ability to explain technical issues to researchers

Professional English

Conversational French

Formation

2 to 5 years in high-performance computing or client-facing roles

PhD or postdoc in applied mathematics, computer science, or physics

Description du poste

About Quandela: Quandela is a French deeptech company building Europe’s first general‑purpose photonic quantum computers. Our machines are already available through the cloud, and now also delivered on‑premise.

Beyond hardware, we develop the full software stack :

• Perceval, our open‑source simulation library,
• Merlin, our platform to program and run quantum algorithms,
• Cloud and on‑site deployment for academic and industrial clients.

In 2024, as part of the EuroQCS-France consortium (GENCI & CEA), Quandela is giving the European research community early remote access to a 6‑qubit photonic quantum computer. This precedes the 2025 on‑site deployment of Lucy, our 12‑qubit system at CEA’s TGCC, marking a milestone that combines HPC and quantum in one hybrid infrastructure.

This creates new needs: researchers will start using our quantum systems — from algorithms to QPU infrastructure — both remotely and on site, and they expect immediate, reliable, high‑level support.

That’s why we are building a dedicated support cell.

Your role will focus on the algorithms side — making sure codes and workflows actually run, feedback loops into R&D/Product. You will be accompanied by a QPU‑focused counterpart to cover the full stack.

Why this role matters?

You’ll be the single point of contact for GENCI/CEA researchers, on the algorithms side, ensuring that Europe’s first photonic quantum computer is usable, reliable, and impactful from day one.

This role is strategic and highly visible — for Quandela, for CEA, and for the French quantum ecosystem. It’s about enabling pioneering algorithms to become real quantum applications on a national‑scale system.

You’ll not only ensure the system works, you’ll build and animate the user community of algorithm developers — becoming the reference for researchers leveraging our quantum platform.

On‑site presence:

3 days a week at CEA’s Très Grand Centre de Calcul (TGCC) in Bruyères‑le‑Châtel (Essonne) — home of the Joliot‑Curie supercomputer. Being close to the machine and the teams is what makes this support strategic and impactful.

The rest of the time: hybrid from Massy/Paris‑Saclay.

What you’ll do?

Support & debug

• Handle tickets (execution, compilation, scripts, performance).
• Debug algorithm workflows and environment issues.
• Install, update and validate applications.

User enablement

• Identify recurring issues and common user patterns.
• Turn these insights into clear documentation, guides and short training sessions.
• Help users structure their workflows and adopt the platform smoothly.

Community & adoption

• Help connect users, surface blockers early and share best practices.
• Gradually organise workshops, webinars and small forums as the user base expands.

Coordination & collaboration

• Join weekly technical reviews with HS/HLST teams.
• Work with Algo/Software, Product/Sales teams inside Quandela to keep the full chain aligned.

How you’ll grow?

• 0–3 months: onboarded on ticketing and HS workflows; handle simple tickets; draft first documentation; run initial training.
• 3–6 months: established as trusted SPOC; deliver clear docs; identify recurring pain points; propose fixes.
• 6–12 months: move from reactive support to proactive enablement: organise workshops, animate user community, propose KPIs and practices for the support cell.

Profile We Value?

Proven track record in application or user support, ideally gained outside of a purely academic environment.

Must‑have:

• Advanced Python (backbone of Merlin/Perceval and the scripts you’ll debug daily).
• Familiarity with at least one quantum framework (Qiskit, Perceval, Cirq, etc.).
• Strong debugging and documentation rigor.
• Ability to explain technical issues clearly to researchers.
• Professional English + conversational French (daily work with CEA and Quandela teams).

Nice‑to‑have (can grow, but appetite needed):

• Basics in HPC or applied maths/QML to follow user problems.
• Interpersonal skills with ability to engage a technical user community (Bonus points if you’ve led or contributed to a Tech/Deeptech community, organised workshops or user groups (quantum, HPC, software)).

Bonus Points:

• Experience in EuroHPC, Tier‑1 Data Center/HPC, CNRS/CEA, or other infrastructures.
• Prior exposure to Quandela quantum software ecosystems (Merlin/Perceval is a plus, but learnable).

Backgrounds that could fit?

• HPC / Application Support Engineers – 2 to 5 years of experience in high‑performance computing centers or large‑scale computing environments, ideally within private or industrial contexts, with direct exposure to end users.
• Researchers in applied mathematics, computer science, or physics – who have transitioned into client‑facing roles, typically holding a PhD or postdoc plus at least 2 years of relevant experience. Experience in private companies or through collaborations with external clients is highly valued for us.
• Engineers from research infrastructures (e.g., EuroHPC, CNRS, CERN) – with 2 to 5 years of experience in multidisciplinary support contexts, and a proven ability to interact with diverse user groups. Previous work in private‑sector settings and/or at the client interface is a major asset.

What We Offer

Salary: €45–60k depending on scope:

• 45k: strong support experience, ready to grow.
• 50–55k: autonomous, can handle complex issues.
• 60k+: senior, able to contribute to community and product feedback.

Profit‑sharing & company savings plan.
100% health coverage (Alan), Swile meal vouchers, transport/mobility support.

A Final Word on 'Support' !

At Quandela, support is not a back‑office function. It is where science meets reality.

As a Support Engineer, you are the bridge between pioneering researchers and a working quantum machine. The algorithms you help run will shape both today’s experiments and tomorrow’s roadmap.

• Giving researchers confidence their ideas can be tested and scaled.
• Protecting the value of a national quantum investment.
• Connecting the dots between users, R&D, and product evolution.

It’s strategic, it’s vital and it’s the kind of support that defines whether Europe succeeds in quantum computing adoption.

So … If you’re ready to turn quantum promise into real impact for researchers across Europe, let’s talk 😁