QphoX is looking for a Quantum Application Engineer to help push our microwave-to-optics conversion technology and its application to quantum computing to the next level. In this role, you will be part of a team focussing on the development of optical interconnects for control, readout and networking of quantum processors. As a Quantum Application Engineer, you will define and articulate the performance requirements of our products, develop experiments to quantify these requirements and demonstrate the performance of our technology both internally as well as with external partners and customers.
You will be involved in:
- Research and development of microwave-to-optics transducer technology
- Development of optical signal delivery systems for high fidelity qubit control
- Planning and executing experiments to demonstrate the performance and practicality of our products, including joint demonstrations with external partners, collaborators, and customers
- Analysing, summarising, and presenting experimental results through reports, presentations, and technical discussions
- Collaborating closely within a diverse, multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
Skills and knowledge you will bring to QphoX:
- A masters (WO) in (applied) physics, photonics or a related subject
- 2+ years of industry or applied research experience in one or more of the following: superconducting circuits, photonics, telecommunications, test and measurement or a related subject
- Proficiency in Python for instrumentation, data acquisition and data analysis
- The ability to work collaboratively with inter-disciplinary teams
- An organised and rigorous working style
Our Ideal Candidate:
Our ideal candidate is a passionate, hands-on experimentalist who enjoys translating technology from the lab into real-world applications. They are eager to contribute across the full journey from experiment to product — from early-stage technical development through deployment with customers, from drafting concepts to presenting results.
Teamwork is an essential value of our company, hence fitting into the team is crucial. Finally, they would have to feel positive working in fast-paced learning environment.
We strongly encourage people of any underrepresented group to apply as we are committed to diversity and work to build an inclusive environment where all people, regardless of gender, race, religion, or background, can thrive.
Benefits and other perks of working with us:
- Competitive salary
- Employment stock ownership plan
- End-year performance-based bonus
- 25 days of holidays on a full-time basis
- Career growth opportunities
- Opportunities to network and connect
About us:
At QphoX we strive to be an inclusive place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to learn, to live their passion and do their best work.
We are dedicated to promoting equality, creating a safe environment for everyone, and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, socioeconomic background and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. We truly think diversity is a strength and working in a diverse environment, and being exposed to a variety of perspectives makes us stronger as a team and better human beings.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The expansion of the quantum hardware sector necessitates a specialized transition from experimental proof-of-concept to systems-level integration, particularly in the domain of microwave-to-optics transduction. This role type exists to bridge the structural gap between fundamental quantum physics and industrial-grade interconnectivity, where the ability to network disparate quantum processors is a prerequisite for modular scalability. By translating high-fidelity qubit control into viable optical signals, the function secures the integration layer of the quantum value chain, addressing the critical bottleneck of signal attenuation and thermal load in cryogenic environments. Verifiable market signals, such as the increasing investment in quantum networking and the shift toward distributed quantum computing architectures, highlight the necessity of personnel capable of validating hardware performance against commercial benchmarks. This role ensures the transformation of deep-tech prototypes into interoperable components, which is the primary determinant for the sector's progression from TRL-4 to TRL-7.
In the current quantum ecosystem, the role of a Quantum Application Engineer occupies a pivotal position within the "systems integration and networking" segment of the value chain. As hardware developers move beyond the constraints of monolithic dilution refrigerators, the demand for scalable interconnects—specifically microwave-to-optical transducers—has emerged as a strategic priority. This shift is driven by the need for low-latency, entanglement-preserving communication links that can facilitate multi-node quantum architectures, a requirement often cited in national quantum strategies as essential for long-term fault tolerance.
Macro-level constraints, particularly the "wiring crisis" and the thermal limitations of existing cryogenic control stacks, have made the development of optical signal delivery systems a critical scalability bottleneck. The workforce required to address these challenges must possess a rare hybrid of expertise in superconducting circuits and photonics, a cross-disciplinary talent pool that remains one of the tightest in the global deep-tech sector. Consequently, firms are increasingly focused on the translation pathway, moving from laboratory-scale demonstrations to the rigorous quantification of performance requirements that satisfy industrial end-users.
Furthermore, the ongoing integration of quantum and classical high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure requires a standardized approach to hardware benchmarking. As the sector moves toward a service-oriented model, the ability to demonstrate technology performance through joint experiments with external partners becomes a primary credibility signal for investors and early adopters. These ecosystem initiatives aim to accelerate readiness for practical quantum applications by ensuring that the underlying physical layer remains robust, interoperable, and capable of supporting the high-fidelity operations required for complex algorithm execution.
The capability architecture for this role type centers on the intersection of quantum information science, photonics, and precision instrumentation. At the foundational layer, expertise in microwave engineering and superconducting qubit architectures is required to manage the sensitive interface where quantum states are generated and manipulated. This is coupled with advanced knowledge of integrated photonics and telecommunications protocols, which are essential for the conversion of microwave signals into optical modes suitable for fiber-optic transmission. These capabilities are critical for ensuring the structural throughput of quantum networks, as they directly influence the fidelity of qubit readout and the stability of remote entanglement.
Beyond hardware design, the role requires a mastery of Python-based data acquisition frameworks and automated calibration routines, which act as the software-to-hardware coupling necessary for high-volume experimentation. These tools enable the deterministic quantification of signal-to-noise ratios, bandwidth limitations, and transduction efficiency—metrics that are foundational for the interoperability of modular quantum systems. By standardizing these evaluation methodologies, engineers enable a level of technical transparency that allows for the seamless integration of quantum hardware into broader classical networking fabrics, ultimately reducing the friction associated with multi-vendor systems deployment.
Accelerates the transition from laboratory-scale transducers to standardized commercial quantum interconnects
Mitigates systemic risks associated with signal decoherence in distributed quantum computing architectures
Facilitates the interoperability of modular quantum hardware through the development of universal performance benchmarks
Reduces integration friction between cryogenic quantum processors and standard classical telecommunications infrastructure
Strengthens the reliability of quantum networking protocols by optimizing microwave-to-optics conversion efficiency
Harmonizes quantum hardware development with existing industrial manufacturing standards for photonics and semiconductors
Optimizes the lifecycle of quantum control systems by reducing the thermal load within dilution refrigerators
Supports the scaling of multi-node quantum clusters through the stabilization of high-fidelity optical signal delivery
Shortens the iteration cycle for hardware updates by providing rigorous experimental validation of performance requirements
Improves the transparency of the quantum supply chain through standardized technical reporting and data analysis
Protects capital-intensive investments in quantum computing by ensuring the scalability of physical interconnects
Enables the deterministic progression of technology readiness levels through the quantification of hardware stability
Industry Tags: Quantum Networking, Microwave-to-Optics Transduction, Integrated Photonics, Superconducting Qubits, Quantum Systems Integration, Cryogenic Interconnects, Deep Tech Engineering, Photonic Quantum Computing, Hardware Benchmarking, Quantum Telecommunications
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