Quantum Scientist and Modeling and Simulation Specialist

Booz Allen Hamilton; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 78,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton seeks a Quantum Scientist and Modeling and Simulation Specialist to build scalable, noise-aware simulators for fault-tolerant quantum circuits.

You will work with quantum physicists, algorithm designers, and hardware engineers to validate hardware constraints, develop fast simulation pipelines, and explore quantum workflows from software to hardware. A PhD is preferred and TS clearance is required or able to obtain.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in quantum circuit simulation and error-correction pipelines.
• Experience in numerical linear algebra, HPC, and parallel programming.
• Experience with Qiskit, Cirq, or PennyLane.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and validate high-efficiency quantum circuit simulators, including state-vector, tensor-network, and stabilizer workflows.
• Implement noise-aware simulations informed by real-world hardware constraints—gate errors, decoherence, connectivity, measurement noise, and pulse-level imperfections.
• Integrate mid-circuit measurements, logical decoders, and conditional gates to enable quantum error correction simulations.
• Collaborate with hardware-facing teams to incorporate hardware-specific noise models, gate sets, connectivity maps, and compilation constraints.
• Provide simulation-based design feedback for logical-level operations, algorithm resource estimation, and performance bottleneck analysis.
• Build scalable simulation pipelines optimized for HPC clusters, GPUs, or distributed systems.
• Integrate simulation frameworks with internal toolchains, leveraging Python, Rust, C++, CUDA, and established libraries such as Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, custom tensor-network engines.
• Prototype new simulation methods, including reduced-order models, quasi-probability noise propagation, and hybrid stochastic–deterministic techniques.

Skills

Quantum circuit simulation

Numerical linear algebra

High-performance computing

Parallel programming

Top Secret clearance

Education

Doctorate degree in Physics, CS, Applied Math, or EE

Tools

Qiskit

Cirq

PennyLane

CUDA

Job description

Quantum Scientist and Modeling and Simulation Specialist

Are you excited by the challenge of simulating the future of quantum computing? Do you thrive at the intersection of advanced science, scalable engineering, and mission‑driven innovation? If you’re eager to turn theoretical possibilities into practical tools that accelerate discovery, we have an opportunity that aligns with your passion. As a Quantum Scientist specializing in modeling and simulation, you will shape the development of a scalable, noise‑aware simulation environment for fault‑tolerant quantum circuits across diverse hardware models. You’ll work alongside quantum physicists, algorithm designers, and hardware engineers to create fast, adaptable simulation capabilities that keep pace with evolving noise models and quantum error‑correction strategies. In this role, you will advance the methods that enable algorithm‑hardware co‑design, validate hardware‑specific constraints, and support efficient exploration of mission‑relevant quantum workflows. Your work will help teams prototype, test, and refine quantum ideas long before they reach hardware—accelerating progress toward real‑world quantum advantage.

What You’ll Work On:

• Develop, refine, and validate high‑efficiency quantum circuit simulators, including state‑vector, tensor‑network, and stabilizer workflows.
• Implement noise‑aware simulations informed by real‑world hardware constraints—gate errors, decoherence, connectivity, measurement noise, and pulse‑level imperfections.
• Integrate mid‑circuit measurements, logical decoders, and conditional gates to enable quantum error correction simulations.
• Collaborate with hardware‑facing teams to incorporate hardware‑specific noise models, gate sets, connectivity maps, and compilation constraints.
• Provide simulation‑based design feedback for logical‑level operations, algorithm resource estimation, and performance bottleneck analysis.
• Build scalable simulation pipelines optimized for HPC clusters, GPUs, or distributed systems.
• Integrate simulation frameworks with internal toolchains, leveraging Python, Rust, C++, CUDA, and established libraries such as Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, custom tensor‑network engines.
• Prototype new simulation methods, including reduced‑order models, quasi‑probability noise propagation, and hybrid stochastic–deterministic techniques.
• Support business development consistent with mission‑aligned efforts.

You Have:

• 5+ years of experience in quantum circuit simulation, including quantum error correction pipelines, decoder simulation, stabilizer formalism, and dynamic circuit primitives.
• Experience in numerical linear algebra, high‑performance computing, and parallel programming.
• Experience in quantum‑software frameworks such as Qiskit, Cirq, or PennyLane.
• Experience implementing custom noise models and performance‑optimized simulation kernels.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Doctorate degree in a Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or Electrical Engineering field.

Nice If You Have:

• Experience with tensor‑network contraction optimization, circuit‑cutting strategies, or scalable density‑matrix simulation.
• Experience with hardware calibration protocols and pulse‑level simulations.
• Experience collaborating with hardware R&D teams and supporting algorithm–architecture co‑design cycles.
• Experience with quantum characterization, verification, and validation (QCVV) techniques.
• Experience in facilitating milestone demonstration events.

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well‑being.

• Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work‑life programs, and dependent care.
• Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values.
• Full‑time and part‑time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs.
• Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits.

We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract‑specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,600.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD).

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model

Our people‑first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings. Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility. Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility. Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

About Booz Allen

Booz Allen is an advanced technology company. We build commercial‑grade products and solutions for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities.

Know Your Rights Poster Accommodations

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application, hiring, or employment process because of a disability, a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, or as otherwise required by applicable law should contact the Booz Allen Help Desk by calling 1-877‑927‑8278 or sending an email to [e-mail]. We will review requests on an individualized basis and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable law.

Data Privacy

For more information on how Booz Allen uses your information, please see our Careers Privacy Policy.