Manager, Quantum Applications Software

Psiquantum; Daresbury; On-site; GBP 99,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Psiquantum is building the world’s first useful, fault-tolerant quantum computer in Daresbury, United Kingdom. The Applications Software Manager leads a small, high-impact team delivering simulators, estimators, and compilation workflows essential to turning quantum algorithms into practical solutions.

You will stay hands-on while guiding technical decisions and mentoring engineers, partnering with architects and researchers to enable real-world quantum applications for Fortune 500 partners.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, including production systems.
• Experience with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, or API-driven architectures.
• Knowledge of fault-tolerant quantum computing and resource estimation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing quantum applications software team.
• Translate objectives into actionable plans and deliverables.
• Remain hands-on in design, development, and deployment of tooling.
• Oversee development of simulators, resource estimators, and compilation pipelines.
• Collaborate with architects, researchers, and other engineering teams to solve real-world problems.

Skills

Python

C++

Distributed systems

Cloud infrastructure

API-driven architectures

Quantum computing

People management

Education

MSc or PhD in Physics/Computer Science/Mathematics

Tools

Quantum simulators

Circuit compilation

Resource estimation frameworks

Job description

the company's mission is to build the first useful quantum computers: machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems.

Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries.

Our architectureand approachisbased on silicon photonics. Byleveragingthe advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry, including partners like GlobalFoundries, we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photonsdon'tfeel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.

That approach has since been tested at the highest level of scrutiny the U.S. government applies to emerging technology, and it has held up. In 2025,the companyclosed a$1 billionfunding round that valued the company at$7 billion. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a $100 million Letter of Intent under the CHIPS and Science Act, followed by a $125 million agreement with DARPA under Stage C of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative,the company'smost valuable U.S. government agreement to date. This year, we also broke ground on our utility-scale quantum computer in Brisbane, Australia, and continued building out our Chicago site. Victor Peng, our CEO, and co-founder Jeremy O'Brien, now ExecutiveChairman, lead a team and board that reflects how seriously the world is taking this build, joined this year by Intel's Lip-Bu Tan and Atomico's NiklasZennström.

the companyalso develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies, includingAirbus,LockheedMartin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical, to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact.

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. Itrepresentsa fundamental shift, and a path to mastering challenges that cannot besolvedany other way. The potential is enormous, and we now havethe funding,the governmentvalidation, andthe sitesunder construction to make it real.

Job Summary:

the company is building the world’s first useful, fault-tolerant quantum computer. Our applications team focuses on developing algorithms and workflows in the fault-tolerant regime.

We are seeking a Quantum Applications Software Manager to lead a small, high-impact team of Quantum Applications Software Developers. This team builds the software tools and infrastructure that enable the development, evaluation, and deployment of quantum applications for real-world problems.

In this role, you will combine hands-on software engineering with team leadership. You will work closely with quantum algorithm developers and architects to deliver scalable, high-quality tools—such as simulators, resource estimators, and compilation workflows that are critical to turning quantum algorithms into practical solutions.

Responsibilities:Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team

• Manage, mentor, and support a team of quantum applications software developers.

• Provide clear direction, set priorities, and ensure alignment with team goals.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and execution-focused team culture.

Drive Execution and Delivery

• Translate team objectives into actionable plans and deliverables.

• Own day-to-day execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to a high standard.

• Identify risks and remove blockers to maintain team momentum.

Contribute Technically

• Remain hands-on in the design, development, and deployment of quantum applications software.

• Guide technical decisions and support the team in solving complex engineering challenges.

• Promote strong software engineering practices, including testing, code quality, and maintainability.

Build Quantum Applications Tooling

• Oversee development of core tools such as quantum simulators, resource estimation frameworks, circuit compilation pipelines, and domain-specific application integrations.

• Support the development of scalable and reliable simulation and compute infrastructure.

Collaborate Across Teams

• Partner closely with quantum applications architects, algorithm researchers, and other engineering teams to implement software solutions for real-world use cases.

• Contribute to cross-functional efforts that connect algorithms, software, and hardware.

Enable Quantum Algorithm Development

• Support analysis and optimization of resource requirements for fault-tolerant quantum computations.

• Help enable improvements in quantum algorithms through robust and flexible software tooling.

Experience/Qualifications:

• MSc or PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Experience in quantum computing, quantum algorithms, or quantum circuit compilation.

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience, including building and maintaining production-quality systems (Python, C++, or similar).

• Experience leading projects and/or mentoring engineers; prior people management experience is a plus.

• Experience with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, or API-driven architectures.

• Familiarity with fault-tolerant quantum computing and resource estimation is desirable.

Key attributes

• A hands-on leader who enjoys both coding and developing people.

• Strong execution skills, with the ability to turn objectives into delivered outcomes.

• Pragmatic problem solver with a focus on impact and quality.

• Effective collaborator who can work across disciplines and teams.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

the company provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. the company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.

The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary.Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Daresbury, United Kingdom

£99,400—£116,900 GBP