Your mission
As Quantum Engineer you will collaborate with leading scientists and experts in quantum technology. In close collaboration with software, mechanical, and electrical engineers and our algorithm teams you will design and build up quantum computers for our customers.
Your role & responsibilities:
- Module Leadership: Take charge of a key module in our quantum computer (like imaging system, tweezer generation, part of laser distribution system).
- System Integration: Integrate and optimize your module with the overall system.
- Project Rotation: Move to new projects after successful integration.
- Collaboration: Work with software, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams for development and implementation.
- Ongoing Learning: Keep up with AMO physics advancements to improve system performance.
Your profile
Necessary requirements:
- A PhD or Postdoc with a strong background in AMO physics.
- Hands-on experience in setting up and operating lasers and optical systems.
During your PhD or Postdoc you should have come into contact with one or more of the following topics:
- Atom arrays based on optical tweezers
- Alkaline-earth-metal atoms
- Rydberg atoms
- UHV systems for ultracold atoms or trapped ions
- High numerical aperture imaging & addressing
- Highly stable (in frequency and amplitude) lasers
Supplementary skills:
- Programming experience (i.e., python)
- Electronics design
- Mechanical design
- Data analysis
- Industry experience is a huge plus
If you have a PhD in AMO physics and have worked with neutral atoms or ions, it is very likely that you fulfill these requirements. We are happy to get your application!
Why us?
planqc, founded in 2022 by scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), is a pioneering quantum computing startup based in Garching near Munich. We specialize in developing highly scalable neutral-atom quantum computers, utilizing individual atoms as qubits.
Here’s why you’ll love being part of our journey:
- Cutting-Edge Innovation: At planqc, you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology, using individual atoms as qubits to build highly scalable quantum computers. Our unique approach combines precision from the world’s best atomic clocks, quantum gas microscopes, and high-speed Rydberg gates. Together, we’re creating the fastest path to industry-relevant quantum advantage.
- Impactful Projects: Join us as we develop groundbreaking quantum systems and software, including a 1,000-qubit computer for the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ), a bespoke quantum computer for the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and quantum algorithms for several DLR projects.
- Empowered by Excellence: With notable advisors and board members like Hermann Hauser (founder of ARM) and Professor Ann-Kristin Achleitner, we’re guided by exceptional leadership. Our Series A funding of €50 million allows us to push boundaries and explore new horizons.
- Dynamic Work Culture: We value innovation, collaboration, and growth. Our team of around 50 brilliant minds works from locations in Garching, Ulm, and Innsbruck, fostering an environment where creativity meets ambition.
- Recognition and Growth: planqc’s achievements are celebrated globally. From winning the German Startup Award in 2023 to being named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2024, you’ll be part of a company that’s making history.
- Work-Life Synergy: Whether it’s through team events, after-work socials, or opportunities to attend quantum conferences worldwide, you’ll find a supportive community that values both your professional and personal growth.
About us
At planqc, we harness the laws of quantum mechanics to build revolutionary computing systems. Our quantum computers store information in individual atoms — nature’s perfect qubits — and process it through scalable arrays manipulated by precisely controlled laser pulses. This groundbreaking technology is paving the way of redifining the future of computation but also enabling transformative applications across industries.
Our roots lie in decades of international research on neutral-atom quantum technologies. Building on the technology used in the world’s best atomic clocks combined with advanced quantum gas microscopes, and high-speed Rydberg gates, we’ve built a foundation for innovation that’s unmatched.
At the heart of planqc is a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re a quantum physicist, software engineer, or operations expert, you’ll find a place here to grow, contribute, and thrive.
Together, we’re not just imagining the future — we’re building it.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
This engineering function is structurally essential for translating foundational Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics into commercially viable quantum computing architectures. Its existence is mandated by the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) gap between laboratory-scale neutral-atom arrays and the industrialized, fault-tolerant systems required for quantum advantage. This role operates in the hardware layer, driving the conversion of highly sensitive cold-atom phenomena into stable, repeatable, and modular quantum processing unit (QPU) sub-systems. Success directly impacts QPU scalability and gate fidelity by engineering ultra-stable laser distribution, complex optical tweezer arrays, and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environmental controls. The specialized cross-disciplinary talent required for this system integration remains a critical bottleneck for the quantum hardware sector globally.
This technical discipline is positioned squarely within the physical hardware layer of the quantum value chain, specifically supporting platforms utilizing neutral atoms as qubits. The key macro constraint for this modality is the engineering challenge of scaling qubit number while maintaining the coherence and high-fidelity control inherent to cold-atom systems. Scaling necessitates the precise, monolithic integration of complex subsystems, including high-density optical addressing, ultra-stable laser systems, and cryogenics/UHV infrastructure.
The rapid progression from proof-of-concept to systems with hundreds of logical qubits is gated by the industrialization of these highly sensitive components. This creates a significant workforce dependency on engineers capable of translating advanced AMO research—such as Rydberg physics and optical clock methodologies—into robust, deployable hardware modules. A global shortage of this specialized, cross-functional talent is a recognized constraint on the overall Quantum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) progression. The commercialization efforts of providers like planqc are directly tied to the ability to overcome these integration and environmental control bottlenecks. This role is crucial for mitigating this friction, ensuring that the interface between the quantum instruction set and the physical hardware, such as the high-numerical-aperture imaging and laser delivery systems, operates with industrial-grade stability and throughput, enabling a pathway toward true fault-tolerant computing.
The core technical architecture for this role centers on mastering the intersection of precision photonics, ultra-high vacuum systems, and real-time electronic control. Required capability domains include sophisticated laser system design for frequency and amplitude stabilization, which is paramount for high-fidelity qubit manipulation and readout via atom-light interaction. The tooling layer extends to professional optical design software for beam shaping and delivery, coupled with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for UHV and thermal management to maintain the necessary quantum environmental conditions. Critical interfaces exist with both mechanical engineering for packaging/stability and control software teams for automated system calibration and pulse sequence generation. Functional leverage is achieved by designing modular, reproducible hardware components—such as optical tweezer arrays and imaging systems—that can scale linearly with increasing qubit counts. This focus on modularity and stability is the primary determinant of long-term system uptime and reduces the hardware iteration cycle, accelerating the pathway to commercial deployment.
Accelerates the quantum technology readiness level of neutral-atom platforms towards fault tolerance
Establishes industrial design standards for ultra-high vacuum and complex laser distribution systems
Reduces system-level integration friction between heterogeneous quantum and classical control sub-systems
Increases the maximum operational qubit count maintainable within a single quantum processing unit
Drives down the per-qubit cost of hardware infrastructure through modular and reproducible engineering
Enhances the long-term system stability and operational uptime of deployed quantum computers
Mitigates dependence on highly customized, one-off laboratory setups in favor of commercial products
Shortens the hardware-software co-design iteration cycles necessary for algorithm development
Translates core AMO physics breakthroughs into engineering specifications for industry-ready components
Strengthens the quantum hardware supply chain by standardizing sub-component requirements
Improves fidelity and coherence time by engineering better control over the quantum environment
Facilitates the deployment of future networked quantum internet infrastructure based on atom-light interfaces
Industry Tags: Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Atomic Molecular Optical Physics, Qubit Hardware Scalability, Precision Photonics, Ultra-High Vacuum Systems, System Integration Engineering, Quantum Control Electronics, Rydberg Physics, Laser System Design, Quantum Technology Readiness Level
Keywords:
NAVIGATIONAL: Senior Quantum Hardware Engineer careers, planqc neutral atom computing jobs, Photonics engineering for quantum systems, AMO physics to quantum industry pathway, Optical tweezer array hardware development, UHV systems design quantum computing, High-speed Rydberg gate laser control
TRANSACTIONAL: Implement scalable neutral-atom QPU architecture, Design ultra-stable laser distribution systems, Optimize quantum computer system integration, Engineer high-numerical-aperture imaging sub-systems, Develop modular quantum hardware control, Prototype precision optical alignment mechanisms, Industrialize cold atom quantum platforms
INFORMATIONAL: Challenges scaling neutral-atom quantum computers, Role of UHV and lasers in quantum computing, Transitioning from AMO research to quantum industry, Engineering stability for high-fidelity quantum gates, Cross-functional quantum hardware development process, Qubit scalability bottlenecks neutral atom systems, Interfacing classical and quantum control systems
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION: Investment in neutral-atom quantum computing, Commercial viability of Rydberg atom systems, Global supply chain for quantum photonics, Industrializing complex quantum laboratory hardware, Market analysis neutral atom quantum processors, Qubit array scalability technology comparison
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping, and quantum ecosystem analysis.
