At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.
We are seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager who will oversee the operation and upgrade of existing neutral atom quantum computing systems while managing a portfolio of research programs that accelerate the Atom Computing roadmap.
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Job Responsibilities
- Provide program management for operation and upgrades of existing neutral atom quantum computing hardware
- Manage a portfolio of research projects to advance the Atom Computing roadmap and deliver on capabilities needed for future system generations
- Collaborate with scientific, engineering, and business owners to contribute to the definition of program requirements, priorities, and establish engineering execution plans to meet the requirements
- Manage cross functional dependencies, risks, and changes effectively by monitoring scope, schedule, and resources, and escalating optimization needs accordingly
- Partner with cross functional teams to drive technical analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and post implementation phases.
- Define and track key metrics and key quality and performance indicators and drive cross functional execution of program deliverables.
- Develop and execute communication plans to effectively and proactively communicate program status, issues, and risks to stakeholders.
- Proactively identify and analyze technical problems with engineering leaders and stakeholders to find solutions.
- Collaborate with technical managers and other program managers to ensure efficient allocation of the technical team's time in pursuit of advanced tech and main processor line development
- Support grant applications relating to the project portfolio and advise on other applications as needed
- Collaborate with partners who can help Atom Computing achieve its advanced technology goals
Experience & Education
- BS, MS, or PhD in engineering, physics, or a related field.
- 5+ years’ experience of systems engineering, quantum, and/or R&D program management experience at multi-disciplinary, deep tech companies
Qualifications
- Program management experience in advanced technology
- Technical expertise in quantum computing and AMO physics or ability and willingness to learn
- Documented history of delivering early-stage deep tech programs or products from inception to delivery.
- Experience operating autonomously across multiple teams, demonstrating critical thinking and thought leadership.
- Experience working with technical management teams to develop systems, solutions, and products.
- Organizational, coordination, and multi-tasking expertise.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills involving large-scale systems.
- Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to teamwork
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Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!
The base salary range for this position is between $140,000 - $170,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The emergence of Senior Technical Program Managers specializing in quantum computing represents a critical structural response to the "valuation gap" between laboratory breakthroughs and commercial-scale systems. As the sector transitions from exploratory NISQ-era prototypes to fault-tolerant architectures, the necessity for high-level technical orchestration becomes paramount to manage the systemic risks associated with multi-disciplinary hardware-software integration. This role serves as a primary stabilization point for Technology Readiness Level progression by synchronizing the parallel development cycles of atomic physics, cryogenics, and control electronics. Market signals from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium indicate that the ability to convert fundamental research into deterministic engineering roadmaps is now a primary determinant of organizational throughput and capital efficiency. By managing the complex dependencies of the quantum value chain, this function secures the industrial viability of emerging computational modalities.
The global quantum ecosystem is currently navigating a decisive shift where the primary bottleneck is no longer solely scientific discovery but the systemic management of engineering complexity. This transition is characterized by the move from bespoke research setups to standardized, high-uptime computing platforms. Current industry focus lies on bridging classical and quantum capabilities at scale, necessitating a sophisticated management of the software-hardware interface to ensure that hybrid workflows can survive the rigorous demands of enterprise-grade high-performance computing environments. As hardware providers scale toward million-qubit targets, the lack of standardized benchmarking and the fragmentation of the supply chain for specialized components like microwave electronics and vacuum systems present significant execution risks.
Strategic roadmapping in this environment is constrained by acute workforce scarcity at the intersection of systems engineering and quantum information science. National technology strategies emphasize that the stability of the deep-tech sector depends on leaders who can navigate the TRL mismatches between long-lead hardware development and rapid-cycle software iteration. Public funding cycles and sovereign technology mandates further complicate this landscape, requiring precise alignment between internal R&D milestones and external grant or partnership deliverables. The role type effectively functions as a risk mitigation layer that ensures the reproducibility and scalability of quantum infrastructure within these volatile macro-economic frameworks.
Furthermore, the integration of neutral-atom or trapped-ion systems into existing cloud infrastructures requires a transformation of laboratory experiments into reliable technology products. This necessitates the implementation of rigorous verification and validation frameworks that can operate across disparate technical domains. Organizations that successfully deploy senior program leadership in this capacity are better positioned to manage the interoperability challenges inherent in the emerging quantum-as-a-service market. Consequently, this structural layer of expertise acts as the primary mechanism for maintaining momentum as the technology navigates the "plateau of productivity" and moves toward wide-scale industrial adoption.
The capability architecture for this role type centers on the synchronization of advanced AMO physics research with the protocols of industrial systems engineering. Mastery of the hardware-agnostic management layer is essential for ensuring that hardware upgrades are optimized for the specific constraints of quantum processors, such as coherence times and gate fidelities. This requires a deep understanding of the integration points between high-level application interfaces and the underlying physical control systems that manage neutral atom or ion-based executions. These capabilities are fundamental to the throughput of technology organizations like Atom Computing, as they enable the parallelization of research initiatives alongside the development of scalable cloud architectures. By establishing robust performance indicators, this function provides the leverage needed to assess the true value of quantum advantage before full-scale resource allocation. This expertise reduces iteration friction between abstract science and product delivery, which is critical for long-term interoperability within the global deep-tech value chain. - Accelerates the deterministic transition from theoretical quantum research to industrial-grade computational platforms
- Mitigates systemic execution risks by synchronizing long-term research cycles with near-term engineering roadmaps
- Facilitates the integration of quantum hardware modules into standardized cloud and high-performance computing infrastructures
- Strengthens the reliability of organizational technology strategies through the implementation of rigorous technical benchmarking
- Reduces iteration friction between fundamental physics breakthroughs and the deployment of scalable system architectures
- Optimizes the allocation of specialized technical talent across research, development, and system operations portfolios
- Enhances the stability of the quantum supply chain by providing predictable requirement frameworks for external partners
- Supports the scaling of system capabilities by managing the complex dependencies of hybrid quantum-classical workflows
- Improves the transparency of technology readiness level progression for stakeholders in the investment and policy sectors
- Enables the structural reproducibility of quantum system upgrades through the standardization of implementation protocols
- Protects high-capital research and development investments by ensuring alignment between scientific discovery and commercial scalability
- Orchestrates the convergence of academic research pathways with the practical demands of global enterprise-ready servicesIndustry Tags: Quantum Computing, Systems Engineering, Technical Program Management, Neutral Atom Technology, TRL Progression, Deep Tech Strategy, Hardware Integration, R&D Portfolio Management, Quantum Ecosystem Analysis
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