D-Wave (NYSE: QBTS), D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services. We are the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, and the only company building both annealing and gate-model quantum computers. Our mission is to help customers realize the value of quantum, today. Our quantum computers — the world’s largest — feature QPUs with sub-second response times and can be deployed on-premises or accessed through our quantum cloud service, which offers 99.9% availability and uptime. More than 100 organizations trust D-Wave with their toughest computational challenges. With over 200 million problems submitted to our quantum systems to date, our customers apply our technology to address use cases spanning optimization, artificial intelligence, research and more. Learn more about realizing the value of quantum computing today and how we’re shaping the quantum-driven industrial and societal advancements of tomorrow: www.dwavequantum.com.
You can read more about our company and our innovations in the pages of The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Fast Company, MIT Technology Review, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Wired and across many whitepapers.
At D-Wave, we’re helping customers realize the value of quantum computing today and are shaping the quantum-driven industrial and societal advancements of tomorrow.
About the role
We are looking for a creative, energetic, and self-motivated Experimental Physicist to join our Processor Development (PD) team. In this challenging and exciting role, you will contribute to the development of superconducting gate-model quantum processors, with a focus on long-term scalability. You will leverage your expertise in gate model quantum computation as well as D-Wave’s extensive experience in developing large-scale superconducting integrated circuit control, you will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team including superconducting circuit designers, fabrication engineers, software developers, physicists, and engineers to push the boundaries of quantum computing.
What you'll do
- Contribute to the conceptualization and design of scalable multi-qubit superconducting quantum processors.
- Develop and run experiments, analysis routines, and quantitative models to characterize parameters and performance of as-fabricated superconducting quantum processors.
- Perform coherence measurements (T1, T2, Ramsey, echo, noise spectroscopy) to identify decoherence mechanisms and use those data to guide improvements in device design, control, fabrication, and cryogenic infrastructure.
- Develop, calibrate, and validate high fidelity single qubit and two qubit gates, plus reset and readout, using standard benchmarking protocols.
- Diagnose scaling limitations in control, calibration, readout, and noise and develop methods to improve upon or circumvent these limitations.
- Collaborate with designers on device parameter studies and simulations and help define measurement primitives and requirements for improved processor performance.
- Share your results and ideas with the broader PD team through regular and clear documentation.
- Create and contribute to our software infrastructure for modeling, calibrating and operating qubits and processors.
About you
- Ph.D. or M.Sc. in quantum computing or a related experimental field, or equivalent academic or industrial research experience.
- Experience with measurement and control of qubits using microwave techniques or other closely related quantum control topics and methods.
- Strong critical thinking and technical problem-solving skills.
- Skill in independent research and evidence of deep understanding in your area of expertise.
- Ability to learn new technical topics quickly and effectively.
- Strong software development experience for experimental automation, data acquisition, and data analysis, with willingness to learn new languages and tools as needed.
- A collaborative mindset, a demonstrated ability to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team, and a strong commitment to the company’s success.
- Excellent communication skills and experience with summarizing technical information for a broad audience.
- Ability and willingness to adapt to shifting priorities in a time-sensitive environment.
Exceptional candidates will have
- A solid background in one or more of the following: quantum control of superconducting devices, superconducting device fabrication, RF or microwave engineering, and low-noise electronics.
- Experience calibrating and characterizing superconducting qubits.
- Familiarity with methods to achieve low crosstalk in superconducting circuits by design and to implement scalable and robust two-qubit coupling schemes.
- Experience with version control and collaborative software development environments.
A D-Waver's DNA
- We look at the future and say “why not”; we see possibilities where others see problems or routines. We show the way ahead and are committed to achieving ambitious goals.
- We practice straight talk and listen generously to each other with empathy. We value different opinions and points of views. We ensure that we connect outside as well as inside to learn from others and inspire each other.
- We hold ourselves accountable for delivering results. We make decisions & take responsibility so that we can act & support each other.
- As leaders we motivate & engage our teams to undertake beyond what they originally thought possible, by developing our teams & creating the conditions for people to grow and empower themselves through enabling & coaching.
Our Compensation Philosophy is Simple but Powerful:
We believe providing D-Wavers with company ownership, competitive pay, and a range of meaningful benefits is the start of creating a culture where people want to give the best they’ve got — not because they’re simply making money, but because they’ve fallen in love with our vision, mission, values, and team.
During the interview process, your Recruiter will review our total rewards (base, equity, bonus, perks, benefit, culture) offerings. The final offer is determined by your proficiencies within this level.
Inclusion:
We celebrate diverse perspectives to drive innovation in our pursuit. Our employees range from distinguished domain experts with decades of experience in their respective fields, to bright and motivated graduates eager to make their mark. Our diverse and innovative team will make you feel appreciated, supported and empower your career growth at D-Wave.
The Fine Print:
No 3rd party candidates will be accepted
It is D-Wave Systems Inc. policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, local law.
The base pay range for this role is:
100,000 - 150,000 CAD per year (Burnaby)
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The transition of superconducting quantum computing from laboratory-scale experiments to industrial-grade infrastructure necessitates a specialized tier of technical support focused on the stabilization of high-fidelity environments. In the quantum value chain, the role of an Experimental Physicist serves as the critical interface between the physical environment and the integrity of quantum processing units, where minor thermal or atmospheric fluctuations can degrade qubit coherence. This structural necessity is driven by the increasing complexity of cryogenic and cleanroom requirements as the sector moves toward logical qubit scaling and 24/7 cloud availability. As industry market signals indicate a shift toward high-performance computing integration, the demand for specialized technical personnel capable of maintaining these sensitive environments has become a primary determinant of operational uptime. This role ensures the continuous translation of deep-tech research into reliable commercial throughput by safeguarding the foundational infrastructure upon which hardware reliability depends.
The quantum hardware sector currently operates within a value chain that is heavily dependent on highly specialized physical infrastructure, specifically in the domains of cryogenics, vacuum systems, and lithographic cleanrooms. Unlike traditional data center operations, quantum facilities must mitigate complex environmental noise—including vibrational, electromagnetic, and thermal interference—to maintain the operational stability of superconducting circuits. The role of the experimentalist in this context is positioned within the systems integration and hardware layer of the ecosystem, acting as a prerequisite for both manufacturing yield and research reproducibility.
Macro-level analysis of the quantum workforce indicates that while significant attention is paid to theoretical breakthroughs, a critical bottleneck is emerging in the technical enablement tier. This shortage of specialized personnel capable of managing the intersection of microwave engineering and specialized lab utilities poses a risk to the scalability of global quantum hubs. As firms move from prototype development to pilot production, the ability to manage these hardware dependencies without service interruption becomes a strategic advantage. This transition is essential for companies like D-Wave to maintain leadership in providing utility-scale solutions to complex computational challenges.
Furthermore, the sector-wide trend toward hybrid classical-quantum cloud platforms requires hardware to operate with the same level of reliability as Tier 4 data centers while managing significantly more volatile technical constraints. Ongoing ecosystem initiatives aim to accelerate readiness for practical quantum applications, but these are fundamentally limited by the physical throughput of the laboratory environments. The stabilization of these processors is therefore not merely a maintenance function but a core component of the industry’s Technological Readiness Level progression.
The capability architecture for this role type centers on the integration of traditional building services engineering with specialized deep-tech infrastructure requirements. At the foundational layer, mastery of qubit control and readout is required to manage the tight tolerances of cryogenic environments. This is coupled with the technical interface for microwave signal delivery and high-purity fabrication processes, which are essential for the operation of superconducting processors. These capabilities are critical for ensuring the structural throughput of quantum hardware development, as they directly influence the stability of the vacuum and thermal environments required for qubit testing and operation.
Beyond mechanical maintenance, the role facilitates a cross-functional coupling between facilities management and laboratory safety protocols, ensuring that high-tech production environments remain compliant with evolving regulatory standards. By standardizing the characterization of these complex systems, experimentalists enable a level of operational reliability that allows research teams to focus exclusively on architectural breakthroughs. This technical-legal interface is a necessary component for the commercialization of gate-model quantum processors.
Ensures the continuous operational integrity of the physical environments required for high-fidelity quantum processing
Mitigates systemic risks associated with environmental decoherence in superconducting quantum hardware manufacturing
Facilitates the transition from laboratory prototypes to standardized commercial-grade quantum computing facilities
Reduces iteration friction by maintaining the reliability of mission-critical laboratory and production utilities
Strengthens the uptime of cloud-accessible quantum platforms through proactive infrastructure monitoring and maintenance
Harmonizes facility operations with stringent safety standards for the handling of specialized gases and chemicals
Optimizes the lifecycle of advanced technical assets including cryogenics systems and microwave control architectures
Supports the scaling of quantum processing unit manufacturing by stabilizing high-purity production environments
Shortens the time-to-market for new hardware iterations by ensuring infrastructure readiness for equipment relocation
Improves the reliability of multi-jurisdictional research hubs through standardized building automation and maintenance protocols
Protects the capital intensive investments in quantum hardware by preventing environmental-related equipment failure
Enables the deterministic progression of technology readiness levels through the stabilization of research infrastructure
Industry Tags: Quantum Computing Infrastructure, Cryogenic Engineering, Superconducting Hardware, Experimental Physics, Microwave Engineering, Scalable Quantum Systems, Deep Tech Manufacturing, Gate Model Processors
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