Lead Quantum Device Theorist

Rigetti Computing; Colorado; On-site; USD 195,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid parental leave

Rejuvenation days

Vacation policy

Job summary

Rigetti Computing in the United States is seeking a Lead Quantum Device Theorist to advance superconducting qubit performance and device physics. You will model processor dynamics, develop noise mitigation strategies, and collaborate with experimental teams to improve readout fidelity and gate operations.

The role demands deep circuit QED expertise, strong programming in Python, and a track record in quantum error correction-driven design and large-scale superconducting processors.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 5+ years of experience.
• Modeling noise in large-scale processors and informing Hamiltonian designs.
• Experience simulating open quantum systems and collaborating with experimentalists on readout and noise characterization.
• Background in gate-based quantum computing or superconducting circuits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain simulation tools to model noise in flux-tunable superconducting qubits.
• Model and analyze entangling gate operations on superconducting quantum processors.
• Apply optimal control to improve quantum gate and readout performance.
• Develop analytical tools to interpret experimental measurements and diagnose performance anomalies.
• Perform detailed error-budget modeling to support quantum error correction (QEC) efforts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams in gate operations, measurement, device design, applications, algorithms, and control engineering.

Skills

Python

Circuit QED

Noise modeling

Open quantum systems

QEC

Gate calibration

Collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Physics

Tools

QuTiP

Stim

GPU computing

Job description

As a Lead Quantum Device Theorist, you will play a central role in advancing the performance of our superconducting quantum processors. This position requires deep expertise in circuit QED, quantum device physics, and noise modeling for quantum error correction (QEC). You will work closely with experimental teams to model processor dynamics and lead efforts to improve qubit readout fidelity and quantum gate performance across our R&D platforms.

This role demands strong cross-functional collaboration with specialists in qubit readout, gate calibration, control systems, and superconducting circuit design. Together, you will drive innovations that support scalable architectures, quantum advantage, and fault-tolerant error correction.

We are seeking a candidate who excels at solving complex device-physics challenges in large-scale superconducting quantum processors. You will develop mitigation strategies grounded in first-principles modeling, including optimal Hamiltonian engineering, noise-spectral analysis, and system-level simulations spanning design, and post-deployment characterization. This role requires deep expertise in circuit QED, tunable coupler architectures, multi-level system dynamics, and decoherence mechanisms, along with the ability to translate theoretical insights into experimentally actionable improvements in gate and readout performance. Strong collaboration across device design, calibration, and control teams is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain advanced simulation tools to accurately model noise sources in flux-tunable superconducting qubits
• Model and analyze entangling gate operations on superconducting quantum processors
• Apply optimal control techniques to improve quantum gate and readout performance
• Develop analytical tools to interpret experimental measurements and diagnose performance anomalies
• Perform detailed error-budget modeling to support quantum error correction (QEC) efforts
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams in gate operations, measurement, device design, applications, algorithms, and control engineering.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, plus 5+ years of relevant work experience
• Modeling noise in large scale processors and inform Hamiltonian designs
• Experience simulating open quantum systems
• Experience collaborating with experimentalists on readout and noise characterization; analyzing and interpreting experimental data, and predicting anomalies
• Background in gate-based quantum computing or superconducting circuits, either academically or in industry
• Demonstrated depth and breadth in circuit QED physics, including Hamiltonian modeling, dispersive readout theory, and multi-qubit coupling architectures
• Proven expertise in noise modeling for quantum error correction, including coherent and incoherent error channels, leakage, crosstalk, and correlated noise
• Strong programming skills in Python for scientific applications
• Ability to excel in a collaborative environment
• Excellent communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optimal control theory applied to superconducting qubits.
• Familiarity with quantum error correction codes and fault-tolerant architectures.
• Track record of publications in relevant peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with high-performance computing or GPU-accelerated simulations.
• Proficiency with scientific computing libraries such as QuTiP, or Stim.

Base Salary

$195,000 - $225,000 a year

Rigetti complies with all local and state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, skills, and geographic location. Rigetti offers a full slate of benefits from competitive salaries, equity, medical, dental and vision for employees as well as a 401(k) plan, a paid parental leave program, rejuvenation days, and avacation policy that aligns with local regulations and industry standards.

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company's proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry's first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry's first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

Export Licensing Compliance

Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.