Quantum Systems & Architecture Engineer

Blocq, Inc.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Fully covered transportation

Health, pension, employment insurance

Job summary

BlocQ, Inc. seeks a Quantum Systems & Architecture Engineer to design and optimize quantum algorithms for deployment on real hardware. You will benchmark against simulators and QPUs, map problems to quantum frameworks, and help build resource estimation tools for FTQC readiness.

The role emphasizes transpiler/ compiler architecture and collaboration with clients to translate real-world problems into quantum solutions. Senior duties include defining roadmaps and IP leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related field.
• Strong research track record in quantum computing (peer‑reviewed publications, international conferences).
• Deep understanding of major quantum algorithm techniques and complexity theory with capable software development (Python, C++, or Rust).
• Excellent communication skills to convey complex ideas to diverse teams and clients.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement quantum algorithms for hardware deployment.
• Benchmark algorithms on simulators and real QPUs.
• Evaluate quantum algorithm performance.
• Design and advance transpiler and compiler architectures.
• Develop mapping and scheduling methods for quantum primitives on target hardware.
• Collaborate with application teams and clients to model real-world problems in quantum frameworks.
• Build quantum resource estimation systems for FTQC readiness.
• Senior: define algorithm roadmaps, lead IP initiatives, and manage the team.

Skills

Quantum research

Python development

C++/Rust programming

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in CS/Physics/Math

Tools

Qiskit

Cirq

Stim

Job description

About BlocQ

BlocQ, Inc. is a deep-tech startup headquartered in Tokyo and Silicon Valley, on a mission to solve cybersecurity challenges in the quantum computing era. We research and develop algorithms and software for quantum computers, bringing together world-class quantum researchers, software engineers, and cybersecurity experts — many with roots at the University of Tokyo — to extract peak performance from quantum hardware.

We are working toward the world's first commercialization of quantum digital computing. If you want to be at the frontier of that effort, we'd love to meet you.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Quantum Systems & Architecture Engineer with hands‑on experience in quantum computing R&D. You will join a team designing the world's first quantum digital computing applications, responsible for applying and optimizing quantum algorithms against specific business and scientific computing challenges.

You will benchmark algorithms on quantum simulators and real QPUs, model real‑world problems into quantum algorithm frameworks together with application teams and clients, and drive proof‑of‑concept projects. A key focus of this role is transpiler and compiler architecture design — mapping algorithms efficiently onto the physical constraints of real hardware — as well as building resource estimation systems to evaluate architectures in view of the fault‑tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) era.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement quantum algorithms for hardware deployment
• Benchmark algorithms on quantum simulators and demonstrate results on real QPUs
• Evaluate quantum algorithm performance
• Design and advance transpiler and compiler architectures
• Develop mapping and scheduling methods for algorithm primitives suited to the physical constraints of target hardware architectures
• Collaborate with application teams and client companies to model real‑world problems into quantum algorithm frameworks
• Build quantum resource estimation systems and use them to evaluate architectures in preparation for the FTQC era
• Monitor global research trends and contribute to internal knowledge sharing and IP (patent) filings
• (Senior) Define algorithm roadmaps toward practical quantum utility, lead IP initiatives, and manage the team

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related field — or equivalent professional expertise
• Strong research track record in quantum computing and related fields (peer‑reviewed publications, international conference presentations, etc.)
• Deep understanding of major quantum algorithm techniques and computational complexity theory, with strong software development skills to translate that understanding into concrete code/systems (Python, C++, or Rust)
• Excellent communication skills: ability to explain technical research and proposals clearly to diverse, cross‑functional teams and clients

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of programming experience, including Python development
• Postdoctoral or industry/laboratory research experience in quantum computing, especially in algorithm design and applications
• Experience developing or extending quantum resource estimation tools or open‑source quantum software such as Qiskit, Cirq, or Stim
• Experience with fault‑tolerant quantum algorithm (FTQC) research
• Experience building and accelerating quantum simulations using classical computing methods (tensor networks, GPU parallel computation, etc.)
• Track record of independently scoping technical problems from business challenges and driving projects to completion in high‑uncertainty R&D environments

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Annual: ¥5M – ¥15M (annualized)
• Incentive: Stock options
• Raises: Determined based on performance
• Transportation: Fully covered
• Insurance: Health, pension, employment, workers' compensation
• Overtime pay: Paid per standard rates

Work Conditions

• Employment type: Permanent (no fixed term)
• Probation: 3 months
• Working hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (60‑min break) · ~10–45 hrs overtime/month
• Location: Shibuya, Tokyo (5‑min walk from Shibuya Station)
• Remote: Remote‑first (hybrid available)
• Days off: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, Golden Week, year‑end/New Year
• Paid leave: 10+ days from the 7th month of employment
• Smoking: Non‑smoking workplace

Selection Process

2–3 interview rounds