Quantum Hardware Engineer

Qolab; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Onsite at Madison facility

Job summary

Qolab in Madison, WI is hiring a Quantum Hardware Engineer to advance utility-scale superconducting quantum computers. The role focuses on improving qubit coherence and yield through fabrication process development, in collaboration with Applied Materials.

You will engage in device design, cryogenic measurements, and hardware control across the full tech stack. The position involves regular interaction with founding scientists and cross-functional teams, with onsite work at Qolab’s facility.

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in quantum hardware or a related R&D environment.
• Hands-on experience with superconducting qubits, cryogenic measurement or fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and characterize superconducting qubits and related devices.
• Develop fabrication processes to improve qubit coherence and yield.
• Conduct measurements in cryogenic test environments including dilution refrigerators.
• Develop hardware systems for qubit control and readout.
• Analyze qubit performance data and drive iterative device optimization.
• Collaborate with partner organizations and internal teams on hardware integration.

Skills

Quantum hardware

Cryogenic measurement

Device fabrication

Qubit readout

Hardware control

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cryogenic equipment

Fabrication tools

Job description

Qolab is a superconducting quantum hardware company building the manufacturing and systems foundation to scale quantum computing from laboratory devices to utility-scale systems. Founded in 2022, the company is focused on reproducible qubit fabrication and hardware integration at semiconductor manufacturing standards. In 2025, Qolab launched Qolab Start, its first deployable superconducting QPU platform.

Qolab's technology centers on two core innovations: a semiconductor-compatible window-junction fabrication process designed for 300 mm semiconductor tools, and a wafer-scale integration architecture that bonds qubit and wiring wafers into modular tiles with integrated cryogenic interconnects, filters, and amplifiers.

Qolab partners with leading semiconductor companies, government programs, and research institutions, including Applied Materials, DARPA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Quantum Machines, Riverlane, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Western Digital, Synopsys, and KLA.

Leadership Team

Qolab is led by researchers and engineers who have defined the trajectory of superconducting quantum computing over the last four decades. Our leadership is hands-on, working directly on the technology alongside our engineering team.

• Alan Ho (CEO | Co-founder): Former Head of Product at Google Quantum AI, where he led product efforts behind the quantum supremacy experiment.
• John Martinis (CTO | Co-founder): Distinguished physicist and 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, recognized for pioneering superconducting qubits and advancing scalable quantum systems.
• Robert McDermott (Head of Hardware | Co-founder): UW–Madison professor and leading physicist advancing superconducting qubits, quantum measurement, and scalable quantum computing systems.
• Britton Plourde (Quantum Hardware Engineer): Renowned physicist recognized for pioneering qubit readout and control techniques and designing efficient quantum circuits.

About the Role

Qolab is hiring a Quantum Hardware Engineer to contribute to the development of utility-scale superconducting quantum computers. A core focus of this role is improving qubit coherence and reproducibility through fabrication process development, implemented in collaboration with Applied Materials.

The role spans device design, fabrication process development, cryogenic measurement, and hardware control, with direct exposure to Qolab's full technical stack and regular collaboration with founding scientists.

What You'll Do

• Design, fabricate, and characterize superconducting qubits and related devices.
• Develop and refine fabrication processes to improve qubit coherence and yield.
• Conduct measurements in cryogenic test environments, including dilution refrigerators.
• Develop hardware systems for qubit control and readout.
• Analyze qubit performance data and contribute to iterative device optimization.
• Collaborate with partner organizations and cross-functional internal teams on hardware integration.

What We’re Looking For

Minimum Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in quantum hardware or a comparable research and development environment.
• Hands-on experience with superconducting qubits, cryogenic measurement, device fabrication, or related quantum technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with qubit readout and control circuit design.
• Familiarity with quantum error correction or surface code architectures.
• Experience working in a semiconductor fab or cleanroom environment.
• Experience collaborating with industry partners on hardware integration or process transfer.

Mindset & Onsite Requirements

• Autonomous: Highly self-directed and comfortable taking complete ownership of ambiguous problems without requiring a predefined roadmap.
• Fast-Paced: Motivated to learn quickly and thoroughly in a rapid, cutting-edge engineering environment.
• Location: Able to work onsite at our facility in Madison, WI (relocation assistance provided).