Quantum Compute Simulation Scientist

Western Digital Corp.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 246,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation time

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

WD is seeking a talented researcher to advance quantum compute simulation focusing on superconducting qubits and error correction. You will implement large‑scale models, explore distribution of microscopic parameters, and model qubit devices with room temperature and cryogenic metrology collaboration.

The role emphasizes independent research, paper writing, and collaboration with theory and metrology teams to push fault‑tolerant quantum computing capabilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics or engineering with strong quantum information background.
• Experience with superconducting qubit design and simulation.
• Proficiency in programming languages and FPGA concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute quantum compute simulations for multi-qubit systems.
• Collaborate with product teams to address challenges and develop solutions.
• Publish results and present at conferences.

Skills

Python

Rust

TCL

C

FPGA

Education

Ph.D in Physics, EE, Materials Science or related

Tools

Pennylane

TopQAD

scqubits

SQuADDS

Job description

• Job Type (exemption status): Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
• Salary Range: 184,500.00-246,000.00
• Business Function: R&D Engineering

Company Description

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

Job Description

We are seeking a talented researcher to join our team and drive innovative research projects in quantum computing, specifically to focus on quantum compute simulation. You will play a pivotal role in implementing large scale simulation models that will implement specific quantum error correction schemes, including distillation on top of a distributed network of superconducting qubits defined by their population lifetimes (T1, T2, T2*), single and double qubit gates error rates and other microscopic parameters. The goals will be to reach detailed understanding how distribution of microscopic parameters impact overheads needed to produce fault tolerant logical qubits from physical qubits. Additional goals would be related to detailed quantum mechanical modeling of superconducting qubits devices and developing theoretical and empirical models for microscopic parameters of superconducting qubits.

In the course of the project, you will collaborate with both room temperature and low temperature DC and RF metrology scientists to accurately describe realistic population lifetime distributions, and with Quantum Error Correction information theorist to help choose various quantum error correction schemes. The key goal of these simulations will be to accurately determine requirements on the distribution profiles of microscopic parameters of the qubits and qubit gates to promote fabrication of FTQC systems with minimal number of physical qubits.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead and execute research projects in quantum computing superconducting qubit simulation of multi‑qubits systems using in‑house and commercial simulation tools

Collaborate with product teams to tackle novel challenges and develop innovative solutions.

Collaboration: Stay current with industry and academic trends, publishing papers and presenting at conferences.

Reporting: Develop and present detailed reports and visualizations to communicate findings, trends, and actionable insights to stakeholders at all levels.

Motivation: Highly self‑motivated problem solver able to thrive in unstructured environment. Ability to independently pursue fundamental research, including paper writing and publishing.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data and insights clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Analytical Skills: Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp and address challenges outside of immediate field of expertise.

Qualifications

Required:

Ph.D degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science or related with coursework background in Condensed matter physics, Quantum Field theory and quantum error correction control theory

Experience in using open source and commercial software platforms such as Pennylane and TopQAD, scqubits and SQuADDS

Thorough understand of superconducting qubit design theory and building in‑house simulation tools and utilizing existing open source

Experience in simulation of low temperature DC and RF measurement of qubit devices

Proficiency in a wide array of programming languages, like Python, Rust, TCL, or C, and the ability to choose the right one for the task, including knowledge (or willingness to acquire knowledge) of FPGA based microcontrollers

Additional Information

WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non‑discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the " Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal " poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here .

WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [e-mail] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will 1/9/27, although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• Thesalaryrange is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New Yorkor remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.
• If your position is non‑exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.

You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses undereither WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or theSales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.