Zurich Instruments is a technology leader in advanced test and measurement instruments. Our pioneering Lock-In Amplifiers enable new applications through high-precision measurements across the multi-GHz frequency range. For Quantum Computing, we provide RF Signal Generators and Quantum Analyzers for the readout of Qubits. These products are used worldwide, in academic and commercial research labs working towards practical quantum computing. Zurich Instruments' vision is to be the reference for instrumentation in leading research and development laboratories.
Working with electronics is your passion. You feel challenged and enthusiastic about building RF systems that set new performance benchmarks. This is your chance to become part of a highly committed Research & Development team striving for best-in-class measurement devices. As Zurich Instruments is part of the Rohde & Schwarz Group, we are in close exchange with a large community of technical experts.
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Your responsibilities
- You are responsible for the design, implementation, and characterization of PCB-based RF and analog electronics serving our large-scale, high-performance quantum control systems;
- You contribute to the examination and assessment of new technologies and components, and their application in our circuits;
- You ensure testability and reliability of the conceived systems (design for test);
- You collaborate with and instruct external partners (e.g., PCB layout sub-contractors, PCB/A manufacturers).
Your profile
- BSc, MSc, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or in an equivalent field;
- At least 3 years of practical experience in RF electronic circuits and systems design, including analog and digital signal processing and control, high-speed converters (ADC, DAC);
- Experience in RF electronics design (broadband low noise analog RF frontends), as well as a good understanding of EMI mitigation techniques;
- Proficient user of EDA tools for circuit design and simulation (e.g., Altium Designer, Spice, CST Studio Suite, Simbeor);
- Proficient user of laboratory instrumentation, including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and VNAs;
- Experience in design for cost, test, and manufacturing;
- Experience with product lifecycle management and the specific challenges of RF electronics.
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We offer a diverse work environment with an open and transparent company culture where personal development forms the basis of our success. We thrive on cooperation and support distributed decision-making that allows everyone to take responsibility and generate substantial impact from the start and on many levels.
Now is a great time to join the team.
We look forward to receiving your resume and motivation letter.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The advancement of quantum computation is fundamentally gated by the classical control hardware required for qubit manipulation and readout. This engineering function operates at the nexus of the physical and digital domains, directly impacting system fidelity and coherence time across diverse quantum hardware modalities. The necessity for high-bandwidth, low-noise radio frequency (RF) and analog control systems is a primary technical challenge underpinning the industry's transition from small-scale lab experiments to commercial, fault-tolerant architectures. Roles in high-performance signal generation and analysis are therefore critical for moving the quantum technology readiness level (TRL) from research proof-of-concept to industrial scalability. This expertise translates into value by ensuring precise, repeatable qubit operations and enabling the high channel-density required for large-scale error correction.
This role is situated squarely in the quantum value chain's control and measurement layer, serving as the interface between the high-level quantum instruction set and the cryogenic or vacuum environments of the physical quantum processing unit. The dominant industry constraint addressed by this function is the complexity mismatch between the exponentially scaling qubit counts and the linearly scaling classical infrastructure needed to control them. Achieving quantum advantage requires moving from tens to thousands of qubits, which demands a corresponding increase in channel density and a reduction in cross-talk and noise figures from the control electronics.
The current technological landscape is characterized by vendor fragmentation in the control hardware ecosystem, necessitating rigorous integration engineering to ensure interoperability between QPU manufacturers and instrument providers. Furthermore, the reliance on high-performance analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) components introduces systemic supply chain vulnerabilities, as the performance requirements often push the envelope of commercial semiconductor availability. These engineers are key drivers in mitigating this risk by designing robust, scalable printed circuit board (PCB) architectures that can be industrialized.
Sector-wide efforts continue to address the challenge of minimizing the classical system footprint while maximizing the operational frequency and precision of pulses. This convergence of high-speed digital processing with ultra-low-noise RF analog design represents a significant workforce gap. The successful transition of quantum technology into commercial readiness is directly proportional to the stability and throughput of these control systems, making the underlying hardware engineering a bottleneck for system-level scalability and fault tolerance implementation across the ecosystem.
The core technical architecture for this function centers on sophisticated high-frequency electronic system design and robust integration engineering. Required capabilities include mastery of broadband, low-noise analog RF frontends essential for high-fidelity qubit readout and control. This necessitates deep comprehension of electromagnetic interference (EMI) mitigation techniques at the printed circuit board level to preserve qubit coherence. The tooling layer encompasses professional electronic design automation (EDA) software, specifically for RF simulation, layout, and post-layout verification, ensuring manufactured boards meet stringent performance metrics.
Crucially, the role leverages expertise in high-speed data converters—both ADCs and DACs—which serve as the critical digital-to-analog bridge for generating and receiving quantum pulses. The efficacy of the entire quantum system is dependent on the clocking and precision of these components. Functional success requires translating theoretical control protocols into physical, manufacturable hardware that prioritizes testability and cost efficiency, thus impacting the industrial viability and overall bill of materials for scaled quantum control infrastructure.
Accelerates the quantum technology readiness level (TRL) of control systems
Increases qubit count scalability through optimization of RF channel density
Establishes design standards for industrial-grade quantum control hardware
Reduces system noise figures, directly enhancing qubit coherence and fidelity
Mitigates electromagnetic interference, improving multi-qubit system reliability
Drives down the total cost of ownership for quantum computing infrastructure
Enables hybrid classical-quantum integration via high-speed converter architectures
Strengthens the supply chain resilience for high-performance analog components
Shortens hardware iteration cycles for next-generation quantum processors
Informs the development roadmap for commercial quantum measurement instrumentation
Facilitates adoption by delivering testable, reproducible control system platforms
Elevates throughput and operational uptime of deployed quantum computing services
Industry Tags: Quantum Computing, RF Engineering, Analog Electronics, Qubit Control, Test and Measurement, System Integration, High-Speed Converters, PCB Design, Hardware Scalability, Signal Processing, EMI Mitigation, Product Lifecycle
Keywords:
NAVIGATIONAL: Senior RF Hardware Design Engineer role, Zurich Instruments quantum control systems, High-speed analog PCB design careers, Quantum computing instrumentation jobs, RF frontend design for quantum systems, Precision measurement electronics hardware, Quantum signal generation analysis expertise
TRANSACTIONAL: Design high-performance quantum control systems, Implement PCB-based RF analog circuits, Characterize multi-GHz RF electronics performance, Engineer broadband low-noise RF frontends, Select high-speed ADC DAC converters, Apply EMI mitigation techniques hardware, Develop design for test manufacturability
INFORMATIONAL: Role of RF hardware in quantum computing, Scaling quantum systems with classical control, Challenges of high-speed data converter integration, PCB design best practices for low-noise, Interfacing quantum hardware control electronics, Electromagnetic interference mitigation in quantum labs, Advanced test measurement instrument technology
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION: Market for quantum control instrumentation hardware, Commercial viability of fault-tolerant quantum, Investment in quantum computing infrastructure providers, Supply chain risks for high-speed converters, Industrializing quantum hardware system design, Maximizing quantum processor system uptime
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping, and quantum ecosystem analysis.
