QAE - Quantum Application Engineer

Qblox; Delft; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Qblox in Delft is seeking a Quantum Application Engineer to bridge physics and agile software development, shaping the product backlog and user stories for our quantum control stack.

You will collaborate with hardware and software teams to define features, verify UI/UX, and document experiments, while communicating complex quantum concepts clearly to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics with a quantum tech focus or a MS in CS/Engineering with compiler projects.
• Proficient in Python.
• Excellent English communication.
• Data-driven decision making and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Product Design & Agile Development: Define features and functionality with the product team; design and build the application layer; lead with quantum expertise.
• Testing & User Experience: Conduct thorough testing of software and hardware; verify UI/UX with the engineering team.
• Documentation, Training & Support: Create tutorials for quantum experiments and instrument documentation.

Skills

Python

English fluency

Data-driven

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Physics

MS in CS/Engineering

Tools

C/C++

Python

Git

Job description

Our Mission:

Qblox is a deep tech scaleup whose mission is to accelerate the worldwide race towards building scalable quantum computers. We achieve this by providing the world's best quantum control stacks. We combine hardware that has excellent analog performance with easy-to-use software. We develop a modular system packed with high-end FPGAs synchronized with nanosecond precision, high-speed digital interfaces to multi-gigasample data converters, and ultra low-noise and low drift analog (RF) circuits. The FPGAs contain our proprietary sequence processors that generate the pulses controlling the quantum hardware. Our software stack consists of low-level drivers, compilers, and assemblers written in C/C++ alongside higher-level tools written in Python. Our products accelerate the development of operational quantum computers globally and are compatible with a broad range of qubit technologies.

Your Mission: Bridging Physics and Agile Development

As a Quantum Application Engineer at Qblox, you will play a central role in our agile product development process. Your core focus will be developing user stories, maintaining the product backlog, and representing essential quantum computing knowledge within the development teams. Together with the engineering teams, you will work on enhancing current designs and anticipating future user needs to ensure seamless experiment development for our customers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Design & Agile Development

• Feature Definition: Liaise with the product team to define the features and functionality to be developed.
• Design and Build: Collaborate closely with software and hardware teams to design and build the application layer, integrating and enhancing functionalities for the control stack.
• Agile Leadership: Develop user stories, maintain the product backlog, and serve as the voice of quantum computing expertise within the engineering teams.

2. Testing & User Experience

• Testing and Feedback: Conduct thorough testing of our software and hardware, offering valuable feedback to developers.
• UI/UX Verification: Work with the application engineering team to test the UI/UX.

3. Documentation, Training & Support

• User Documentation: Develop compelling tutorials for quantum computing experiments, including next-gen instrument documentation.

Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience & Competencies

• Educational Background: PhD in Physics with a focus on research in quantum technology domain or Masters in Computer Science and Engineering with projects in compiler infrastructure for distributed systems. Experience with compiling quantum programs, ideally full stack from gate level to the electronics is highly valued.
• Programming Proficiency: Skilled in programming with Python.
• Communication Skills: Excellent English communication skills, capable of conveying complex quantum concepts clearly and effectively.
• Analytical Decision Making: Proven ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Passion for Innovation: A genuine enthusiasm for learning, sharing knowledge, and thoughtful problem-solving regarding new smart solutions.

Nice to Have

• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Experience with software, embedded software, or electronics is a strong plus.

• Sales and Customer Support: Train the application scientists and success teams on new product developments.

Why Join Qblox?

• Global Impact: Join an R&D team directly accelerating the development of operational quantum computers and quantum networks globally.
• Inclusive Culture: We are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, valuing different perspectives and experiences to drive innovation.
• Well-being: We actively support a healthy work-life balance, are committed to gender and ethnic equality, and welcome talented individuals from worldwide.