About Quandela
Quandela is a French deeptech spin-off from CNRS, building Europe’s first general-purpose photonic quantum computers.
We deliver across the full stack - from single-photon sources and photonic chips to simulation libraries (Perceval), programming platforms (Merlin), and cloud access (Quandela Cloud).
In just a few years, we’ve reached major milestones:
- Belenos, our 12-qubit QPU, 4,000× more powerful than its predecessor, set for installation at TGCC in 2025.
- A published 2024–2030 roadmap: first logical qubits by 2025, interconnected quantum systems by 2028, fault-tolerant computing by 2030
Until now, our quantum computers have been operated directly from our HQ in Massy, or accessed remotely via the cloud by academic and industrial partners. The next step is different.
Lucy, a 12-qubit photonic QPU delivered with EuroQCS-France (GENCI & CEA), will be hosted at CEA’s Très Grand Centre de Calcul (TGCC), coupled with the Joliot-Curie supercomputer, and operated fully offline. No remote factory access, no back-office monitoring: reliability, integration, and local support become mission-critical.
Remote access to a 6-qubit system is already available today. Lucy’s full on-site deployment at TGCC is expected in 2025, marking a milestone in Europe’s hybrid HPC–Quantum roadmap.
Article : Genci x Quandela
Lucy
Why this role matters ?
We are building a dedicated support cell to accompany Lucy’s deployment.
This is not “classic” support. It’s about ensuring the world’s first large-scale photonic QPU integrated with HPC runs reliably, day after day.
What is a QPU (Quantum Processing Unit) ?
You’ll be the person researchers and TGCC teams rely on when uptime and stability are on the line, when hybrid HPC–Quantum workloads must be synchronized, or when the QPU itself needs calibration and monitoring.
More than troubleshooting, you’ll help design the practices, monitoring, and coordination that will define how Europe’s researchers engage with Lucy - and with future QPUs to come.
What will you do:
Your mission covers the full QPU lifecycle: from daily operations and maintenance, to user support, performance tracking, and external interface.
- Operate the QPU: monitor cryogeny, detectors, control layers, and HPC integration to secure machine stability and SLA compliance. This is the foundation, keeping the system running smoothly so researchers can trust the hardware.
- Support users: manage access and execution tickets, onboard new researchers, deliver training, and maintain documentation. The goal is to make users autonomous while ensuring efficient use of the QPU.
- Maintain systems: install, patch, and upgrade QPU (related software and tools) and coordinate with Quandela factory when deeper hardware or system-level interventions are required. Reliability depends on continuous upkeep !
- Improve performance: develop monitoring scripts and dashboards (Python, ETL-style) to anticipate failures, detect anomalies, and investigate incidents. This means not only fixing problems but building proactive safeguards.
- Interface & report: act as SPOC with TGCC/HLST, join weekly reviews, ensure compliance with reporting standards, and secure operational continuity.
⚠️On-site presence ⚠️ :
- 5 days/week at TGCC (Bruyères-le-Châtel, Essonne)
- (Some flexibility may be possible later, but the role is primarily on-site given its operational nature)
- On-call duties (astreintes) may be part of the role — details to be confirmed with HLST procedures.
How you'll grow :
- 0–3 months: onboard on TGCC/HPC workflows, handle standard QPU tickets, deliver first documentation.
- 3–6 months: trusted SPOC for GENCI/CEA, ensure machine reliability, identify recurring issues, propose fixes.
- 6–12 months: step into coordination — align stakeholders, anticipate upgrades, structure KPIs, and drive proactive enablement.
Longer term: evolve into a Technical Account Manager - becoming the go-to person for QPU operations and future deployments, linking clients with R&D/Product, and contributing to next-gen roadmaps.
Profile we value :
Must-have
- Advanced Python (monitoring scripts, data analysis, ETL workflows).
- Operational mastery of Linux (monitoring, integration, troubleshooting).
- Basic optics/hardware handling: ability to carry out simple on-machine operations (calibration, alignment, hardware checks).
- Experience with infra monitoring (cryogeny, sensors, system health) or willingness to learn.
- Strong communication and rigor: ability to explain, document, and coordinate.
- Professional English + conversational French (daily work with CEA/GENCI).
Important (can grow)
- HPC experience (integration, performance monitoring).
- Familiarity with quantum basics (QPU, applied physics).
- Exposure to infrastructure monitoring (cryogeny, sensors, system health) — or willingness to learn.
- Prior experience in research or large infrastructures.
- Comfort with documentation, reporting, or training.
Bonus
- Familiarity with EuroHPC, CNRS, CERN, or large-scale datacenter ops.
- Previous involvement in hybrid HPC–Quantum projects.
Academic background :
For this role, we’re looking for a Master’s degree or engineering school background in physics, optics, applied mathematics, computer science, or related fields. What matters most is the ability to navigate complex environments and translate technical depth into reliable operations.
Backgrounds that could fit / We particularly value experience from fields (3-5y) :
- HPC or infra support engineers with strong Python/data skills.
- Researchers (physics, applied maths, CS) moving into system operations.
- Engineers from large research infrastructures (EuroHPC, CERN).
What we offer :
Salary range: €50–65k, depending on background and autonomy.
- €50–55k: solid HPC/infra engineer ready to grow into QPU.
- €55–60k: autonomous on HPC monitoring + user enablement.
- €60–65k: senior profile, able to coordinate and step into Technical Account Manager scope.
On top of base salary: annual profit-sharing, company savings plan, 100% health coverage (Alan), 50% transport reimbursement or mobility bonus, Swile meal vouchers, and access to Gymlib.
Why join ?
- Be part of Lucy’s deployment, the first large-scale photonic QPU in Europe.
- Work at the intersection of quantum, HPC, and national infrastructure.
- Collaborate directly with CEA, GENCI, and top researchers.
- Grow from support into coordination and technical account management.
- Contribute to Europe’s quantum roadmap - with impact today, and vision to 2030 and beyond.
A final word !
At Quandela, support is not a back-office function. It is where science meets reality.
As Support Engineer today — and Technical Account Manager tomorrow — you’ll be the bridge between pioneering researchers and a working quantum machine. The reliability you ensure, and the insights you provide, will define how Lucy and future QPUs serve Europe’s scientific community.
So… if you’re ready to make Europe’s first offline QPU your mission, let’s talk 😁
