Hardware Operations Manager

Qblox Bv; Delft; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Qblox is seeking an experienced Hardware Operations Manager to safeguard the integrity and reliability of our quantum control systems as we scale globally. You will lead the operations quality organization, partner with R&D and manufacturing, and drive systemic improvements across end-to-end processes including DFM/DFA integration and external contract manufacturing.

You will own the quality lifecycle from materials to final assembly, implement ROS and RCA programs, and ensure compliance with

Qualifications

• 10+ years in hardware or deep-tech operations leadership.
• Strong knowledge of ISO standards and QA processes.
• Experience with EMS/ODM manufacturing and NPI.
• Ability to implement RCA and continuous improvement.
• Proactive, hands-on problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Direct the end-to-end quality lifecycle from incoming material inspection to repair/RMA management to ensure high hardware reliability.
• Define and enforce SOPs, quality frameworks, and ISO standards across the organization.
• Define quality requirements for global production partners and audit their performance for compliance.
• Oversee logistics, shipping, customs clearance, and inventory movement to support production schedules.
• Manage on-site assembly, testing, and transfer protocols with external contract manufacturers.

Skills

Operations leadership

Quality management

ISO standards

RCA analysis

Cross-functional leadership

DFM DFA awareness

Education

Electrical engineering degree

Tools

Test equipment

Job description

Are you driven to safeguard hardware integrity and build operational excellence in the world of quantum computing? At Qblox, we're accelerating the worldwide race to build scalable quantum computers, providing the world's best quantum control stacks. We're not just building hardware; we're building the future.

Where you come in:

As our Hardware Operations Manager, you are responsible for safeguarding the hardware integrity and operational reliability of Qblox’s high-end quantum control systems. As Qblox scales from a pioneering R&D organization into a globally operating hardware leader, you will lead the operations quality organization, ensuring that both internal operations and external manufacturing partners (EMS/ODM) uphold our stringent performance standards. This role requires a unique balance of "hands-on" technical troubleshooting for complex repairs and the high-level strategic architecting of quality frameworks that allow our processes to scale worldwide.

What you'll do:

• Total Quality Management (TQM) & Operational Excellence: Direct the end-to-end quality lifecycle, from incoming material inspection to repair/RMA management, ensuring high hardware reliability and throughput. Drive initiatives to reduce repair and rework turnaround times within the workshop, and implement systemic Root Cause Analysis (RCA) processes to investigate defects, preventing recurrence and continuously improving manufacturing yield.

• Strategic Quality Systems & Compliance: Define, implement, and enforce robust SOPs, quality frameworks, and ISO standards across the organization. Lead internal auditing and process standardization to ensure quality is embedded into all R&D and manufacturing workflows, while managing engineering and production documentation integrity.

• Global Partner Quality & Scaling: Define and communicate quality requirements for global production partners (EMS/ODM), and audit partner performance to ensure compliance with Qblox quality standards. Partner with R&D during New Product Introduction (NPI) to embed Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles early, developing operational and quality blueprints for international expansion.

• Logistics & Warehouse Management: Oversee global shipping, freight forwarding, customs clearance, and inventory movement to ensure timely delivery of parts and finished goods. Direct inventory control, material handling, kitting, and storage workflows, ensuring maximum inventory accuracy, stock traceability, and seamless synchronization with production schedules.

• Assembly Operations & Outsourced Management: Manage on-site assembly workflows, integration testing and final quality gates to maintain high operational throughput. Oversee day-to-day operations with outsourced manufacturing partners (EMS/ODM), driving adherence to build schedules, and define clear transfer protocols for moving mature assemblies from internal prototyping to external contract manufacturing.
  

Why you'll love it:

• Ignite Your Drive: You'll be working in the most exciting industry right now – quantum computing – a true deep tech frontier.

• Drive the Future: This is your chance to directly drive new technology forward, shaping the tools that unlock unprecedented quantum power.

• Collaborate with Brilliance: Work alongside some of the smartest, most innovative minds on the planet.

• Unleash Potential: The market is bursting with opportunity, offering you immense scope to develop personally and build our business globally.

Enough about us, what about you?

To truly excel and lead the charge in this role, we envision you'll have the following skills and experience:

The Non-Negotiables:

• Operations & Quality Leadership: 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in high-tech, hardware, or deep-tech environments, with a proven track record of managing operations and quality teams.

• Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of electrical engineering (EE), PCB assembly, and production environments; comfortable navigating legacy schematics and modern test equipment.

• Standards & Compliance: Advanced knowledge of ISO standards, internal auditing, and the development of enterprise-grade quality management systems.

• Strategic Growth: Demonstrated experience in architecting operational quality frameworks for outsourced/partner-led manufacturing (EMS/ODM).

• Collaboration & Presence: Strong executive presence to align cross-functional peers (R&D, Sales Ops, Finance) around operational excellence.

• Hands-on Problem Solving: A proactive, "can-do" mindset with the ability to navigate both strategic high-level planning and the detailed operational needs of the shop floor.
  

Other things that will help you really enjoy the role:

• Experience scaling hardware operations from internal prototyping and low-volume assembly to international contract manufacturing.

• Affinity with high-end quantum technology, test automation, or complex scientific instrumentation.
  

About Us

At Qblox, we operate at the frontier of the quantum revolution delivering advanced technologies needed to build Quantum Computers. This field is rapidly growing and will impact society on a global level. With a dedicated team of scientists, engineers and developers we are pushing quantum technology to support experimentalists worldwide with our scalable qubit control and readout equipment. Since 2019, Qblox has grown into a dynamic company employing 170+ innovative, international minds, all dedicated to the company’s mission. Next to our Headquarters in Delft, we opened our second office in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

We celebrate equality and diversity. We are growing exponentially and welcome talented individuals who share our enthusiasm to make a difference. Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Culture Committee work to enrich our company culture by promoting equality and celebrating diversity within our team. We’re striving to build a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, experiences, and skills.

Why join Qblox?

• Join a unique and dynamic experience of bringing deep-tech to the market in the hyper-growth environment.

• Collaborate with our passionate, interdisciplinary team in the Netherlands and in the United States.

• Work alongside a global team of highly skilled physicists, engineers, and scientists in a flexible and open working culture.

• Enjoy a high-curiosity, high-performance team dynamic.

• Take advantage of highly attractive compensation plans, equity, and opportunities for growth.

• Represent Qblox at international conferences, partner engagements, and customer visits.

Acquisition in response to our vacancies by recruitment agencies is not appreciated.