Senior Applied Scientist, QEC SW, MQS Center for Quantum Computing

Amazon; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 192,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon's MQS Center for Quantum Computing seeks a Senior Applied Scientist to advance software and gateware for our next-generation quantum control system. You will collaborate with control hardware, error-correction theory, and software teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.

The role requires a PhD or equivalent with 6+ years of research, strong communication, and a track record in quantum computing. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive salary in the San Francisco area.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree with 6+ years of applied research experience.
• Experience collaborating with scientists in a research environment.
• Experience with quantum error correction and quantum control systems.
• Preferred: Experience with AWS tools and services and the broader quantum software stack.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the software/gateware runtime for our next-generation quantum control system.
• Build emulation tooling to explore the requirements space of control systems for real-time quantum error detection and correction.
• Make ownership-driven engineering trade-offs to inform our control hardware/software roadmap.
• Demonstrate thought leadership by releasing open-source software and publishing research.
• Mentor and enable other scientists to contribute to the codebase through documentation.

Skills

Quantum error correction

Quantum control systems

Research collaboration

AWS tools

Open-source software

Published research

Education

PhD or Master’s with 6+ years of applied research

Job description

Senior Applied Scientist, QEC SW, MQS Center for Quantum Computing

Job ID: 10552729 | Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc.

The Models, Quantum, and Silicon (MQS) Center for Quantum Computing (CQC) is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians, on a mission to develop a fault‑tolerant quantum computer.

We are looking to hire a Senior Applied Scientist to join our growing Software team. You’ll work closely with our partners on the control hardware development and quantum error correction theory teams to build a quantum control system capable of supporting the next generation of fault‑tolerant workloads. This requires someone who (1) has a strong desire to work within a team of scientists and engineers, and (2) demonstrates ownership in initiating and driving projects to completion.

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at Amazon, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee‑led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Diverse Experiences

Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Mentorship & Career Growth

We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge‑sharing, mentorship and other career‑advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Work/Life Balance

We value work‑life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Export Control Requirement

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be either a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be able to obtain a US export license. If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please apply and Amazon will review your application for eligibility.

Key job responsibilities

• Contribute to the software/gateware runtime for our next‑generation quantum control system
• Build emulation tooling to enable exploring the requirements space of control systems for real‑time quantum error detection and correction
• Make opinionated decisions about engineering tradeoffs to inform our control hardware/software roadmap
• Demonstrate thought leadership in FTQC by releasing open‑source software and publishing research
• Empower other scientists to actively contribute to the codebase through mentorship and documentation

We are looking for candidates with strong engineering principles, a bias for action, superior problem‑solving, and excellent communication skills. Working effectively within a team environment is essential.

A day in the life

The majority of your time will be spent on projects that extend the functional capabilities or performance of our internal control stack. This requires working backwards from the needs of our science staff in the context of our larger experimental roadmap. You will translate science and software requirements into design proposals balancing implementation complexity against time‑to‑delivery. Once a design proposal has been reviewed and accepted, you’ll drive implementation and coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure a smooth roll out. Because many high‑level experimental goals have cross‑cutting requirements, you’ll often work closely with other engineers or scientists or on the team.

About the team

You will be joining the Software group within the MQS Center of Quantum Computing. Our team is comprised of scientists and software engineers who are building scalable software that enables quantum computing technologies.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD, or Master’s degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
• Experience working with scientists in a research environment
• Experience with quantum error correction and quantum control systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AWS tools and services
• Experience with the broader quantum computing software stack
• Experience with GPU‑accelerated decoding for QEC
• Track record of releasing open‑source software
• Track record of published research in quantum computing

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

USA, CA, San Francisco - 192,200.00 - 260,000.00 USD annually