Quantum Error Correction Engineer

IQM Quantum Computers; United States; Remote; USD 101,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

IQM Quantum Computers in Munich (remote) is seeking a mid-level Quantum Error Correction Engineer to turn theory into practical building blocks for fault-tolerant quantum computing. You will design, analyze, and implement error-correcting codes and decoding algorithms, connecting theory with hardware realities to help scale quantum processors.

The role requires a Ph.D. in a relevant field, published research, and 2+ years of software development experience in Python, C/C++, or Rust.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in theoretical physics, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related field.
• Deep knowledge of quantum error-correcting codes, fault-tolerant algorithms, or decoding methods.
• At least 2 years of professional software development in Python, C/C++, or Rust.
• Strong publication record with multiple papers in high-impact venues.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts across interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze quantum error-correcting codes with hardware constraints.
• Design fault-tolerant operations and lattice surgery strategies.
• Contribute to quantum algorithms and error-correction approaches.
• Develop and benchmark decoding algorithms (graph-based, machine-learning).
• Implement decoding algorithms in Python/C/C++/Rust; explore FPGA deployment.
• Perform resource and scalability analysis for error-corrected architectures.
• Collaborate with hardware, control, and software teams to align strategies.
• Publish research results in leading journals and conferences.
• Maintain high-quality, scalable, maintainable code.

Skills

Quantum error-correcting codes

Fault-tolerant algorithms

Decoding algorithms

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in theoretical physics, CS, or math

Tools

Python

C/C++

Rust

FPGA

Job description

Quantum Error Correction Engineer at IQM Quantum Computers, München, DE (remote). A mid-level full time position in the Engineering team, listed under software engineering.

We are looking for a Quantum Error Correction Engineer . In this role, you turn quantum error correction theory into practical building blocks for fault-tolerant quantum computing. You will help design, analyze, and implement error-correcting codes and decoding algorithms that pave the way for scalable fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures. Your work connects theory with hardware reality and plays a central role in shaping how our quantum processors scale reliably. The position is based in Munich, Germany.

What will I be doing?

• Develop and analyze quantum error-correcting codes with realistic connectivity and hardware constraints
• Design and evaluate fault-tolerant operations, including multi-qubit logical gate strategies such as lattice surgery
• Contribute to fault-tolerant quantum algorithms and algorithm-specific error correction approaches
• Design, benchmark, and improve decoding algorithms, including: graph-based decoders (belief propagation, union-find, minimum-weight perfect matching) and machine-learning-based decoding approaches
• Implement and optimize decoding algorithms in Python, C/C++, or Rust, with potential deployment on FPGA platforms
• Perform resource estimation and scalability analysis for error-corrected architectures
• Collaborate closely with hardware, control, and software teams to ensure alignment between error correction strategies and real QPU capabilities
• Publish and present high-impact research results in leading scientific journals and conferences
• Maintain high internal and external code quality standards, ensuring scalability and long-term maintainability

Please find examples of our research via the following links

• Logical Operators and Derived Automorphisms of Tile Codes
• Tile Codes: High-Efficiency Quantum Codes on a Lattice with Boundary
• Logical Operators and Fold-Transversal Gates of Bivariate Bicycle Codes
• Quantum error detection in qubit-resonator star architecture

Requirements

• Ph.D. in theoretical physics, computer science, applied mathematics, or a similar field
• Deep knowledge of quantum error-correcting codes, fault-tolerant quantum algorithms, or decoding algorithms
• At least 2 years of professional experience developing scientific software in Python, C/C++, or Rust
• A strong publication record, including at least two scientific papers in high-impact journals
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts across interdisciplinary teams
• A collaborative mindset and comfort working in a team-oriented research and engineering environment

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of the theory of superconducting qubits
• Experience working closely with hardware or experimental quantum teams
• A drive to keep your expertise current and continuously expand your knowledge
• The ability to create elegant, structured solutions in complex theoretical and technical landscapes
• Strong ownership of code quality, testing, and documentation
• An understanding of how to balance immediate project goals with long-term scalability and extensibility