Quantum Product Research Lead

Quantum Machines is a global leader in control systems for quantum computing, a field on the verge of exponential growth. Our innovative hardware and software offer a groundbreaking approach to controlling quantum computers, scaling from individual qubits to arrays of thousands. At the heart of QM is a passionate, ambitious team committed to transforming the construction and operation of quantum computers. Our deep understanding of customer needs drives us to deliver unmatched solutions in this revolutionary field. 

Quantum Machines is now expanding into a significant new market; we're looking for an exceptional individual to lead the research of this effort. This is a rare opportunity to operate with the resources and credibility of an established, well-funded quantum technology company with hundreds of customers, while being part of the core team that builds something from the ground up. This role sits within a nascent, fast-growing initiative at Quantum Machines -early enough that there is still real room to shape the research agenda, the measurement approach, and the team itself. You will bring deep, practical expertise in quantum device physics to bear on a new technical direction, working closely with QM's Product & Architecture Lead and broader engineering organization to ground product and architecture decisions in real experimental practice. 

We are seeking enthusiastic individuals with hands-on research experience and a strong grasp of evolving quantum technologies, fabrication processes and qubit measurement. The ideal candidate will bring deep experimental insight, define and validate the measurement protocols the initiative depends on, and collaborate closely with QM product, architecture and R&D teams, as well as with QM partners, customers and prospects. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Domain Expertise: Build and maintain a deep, end-to-end understanding of qubit and quantum hardware systems relevant to the initiative.
• Experimental Depth: Build a deep, practical understanding of the physical setup and control flow needed for real device work, together with deep knowledge of and hands-on experience with the stages of industry fabrication processes and the key parameters that govern them. 
• Scaling Insight: Help define how measurement approaches extend and generalize as needs grow, identifying bottlenecks along the way. 
• Product Collaboration: Support translation of these insights into clear product requirements and reference architectures, working with the Product & Architecture Lead and engineering teams. 
• Validation: Validate proposed approaches against the physics, through hands-on experimentation, modelling, and direct device work.
• Community Engagement: Engage with the broader research community to ground the roadmap in real, emerging directions in the field.

Key Requirements 

• Proven research leadership experience, with a track record of driving deep technical insight from first principles - Must 
• Ph.D. in quantum physics or a closely related field, with required familiarity and experience in quantum computing technologies, materials and industrial fabrication processes - Must 
• 3+ years of experimental quantum physics and/or computing, with genuine hands-on device experience - Must 
• High technical acumen and the ability to comprehend and make tradeoffs within complex systems - Must 
• Comfort with ambiguity -this role is not for someone who needs a fully-formed playbook - Must 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; excellent presentation skills - Must 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; a self-driven individual with a high level of independence and discipline - Must 
• Team player with the ability to collaborate closely with other teams - Must 
• Deep, hands-on experience with superconducting qubits - Strong Advantage 
• Experience with spin qubits, in addition to superconducting - An Advantage 
• Track record of excellent scientific achievement (publications, novel experimental results) - An Advantage 
• Past experience in working in a rapidly growing start up environment - An Advantage 
• Willingness to travel for customer engagement.