Quantum Computing Jobs Description - A Guide

Quantum Career Landscape by the Numbers:

• In 2024-25, worldwide quantum job opportunities reached 1000, spanning research, software, and hardware fields.
• Research positions still dominate the market, with a 70% PhD requirement; however, acceptance of applicants with strong master’s or bachelor’s degrees and relevant experience is increasing in software and engineering positions. Read PhD. requirements for Quantum Jobs here.
• The U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan hire the most people in quantum. Remote jobs are growing because of open-source work.
• The growth in quantum software positions was strong, with a 24% increase each year, especially for Qiskit, Cirq, and Q# developer roles.
• In the US, more than 60% of hardware-related job positions require knowledge of superconducting qubits, trapped ions, or photonic systems.

1. Quantum Software Developer

Improve and create new quantum algorithms, develop software to interact with quantum devices or QPU running on cloud servers, and simulate quantum systems.

• Key Tasks: Use Python with Qiskit, Cirq, or PennyLane to program and simulate quantum circuits along with noise models, Optimize hybrid quantum-classical workflow processes with the help of engineers and physicists.
  
• Tools: Qiskit, Cirq, Braket, OpenQASM, Git, Docker.
• Qualifications: MSc or PhD in Physics or Computer Science or related field; Knowledge in Python is required.

2. Quantum Hardware Engineer

Construct, assemble, and test quantum processors and their control systems. Maintain the processors in physical form.

• Key Tasks: Design and fabricate qubits (superconducting, trapped ions, photonic, etc.), Manage cryogenic systems like dilution refrigerators, Use signal generators and FPGA boards for control, Test coherence time, gate fidelity, and collaborate.
  
• Tools: LabView, AWG, VNA, and toolchains for FPGAs plus cryogenic setups.
• Qualifications: PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Materials Science.

3. Quantum Product Manager

These managers collaborate with the quantum tech team and business leaders to align their goals.

• Key Tasks: Translate technical roadmaps into business requirements, Coordinate across quantum software, hardware, and sales teams, Plan MVP launches, collect feedback, and align with customer needs.
  
• Tools: JIRA, Confluence, Figma, product strategy frameworks.
• Qualifications: BSc/MBA with technical quantum literacy.

4. Quantum Algorithm Researcher

Apply quantum computing to solve practical problems in fields such as chemistry, finance, logistics, and machine learning.

• Key Tasks: Research and publish novel quantum algorithms, Implement and benchmark algorithms like QAOA, VQE, Grover’s, and Shor’s, and Collaborate with domain experts.
  
• Tools: PennyLane, Qiskit, QuTiP, TensorFlow Quantum.
• Qualifications: PhD in Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science, and a deep understanding of quantum complexity theory.

5. Quantum Cryptography Expert

Build secure communication systems based on quantum mechanics.

• Key Tasks: Implement QKD protocols (BB84, E91), Integrate post-quantum cryptographic schemes, Evaluate and harden system security.
  
• Tools: QKD hardware, TLS libraries, network analysis tools.
• Qualifications: MSc/Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, Quantum Info, or Math.

6. Quantum AI/ML Engineer

Use quantum tools to improve how we train our AI and understand large sets of data.

• Key Tasks: Build quantum or mixed quantum-classical models, test quantum tools like classifiers and auto encoders, and use techniques like VQE and QAOA to solve optimization problems.
  
• Tools: PennyLane, TensorFlow Quantum, PyTorch, Qiskit Machine Learning.
• Qualifications: MSc/Ph.D. in AI/ML + Quantum background.

IBM Quantum Software Engineer

Develop, test, and maintain Qiskit modules, contribute to open-source quantum software, and participate in algorithm development for QPU backends. Main responsibilities are:

• Open-Source Ecosystem Support: Participate actively in GitHub documentation, contribution reviews, fixing GitHub issues, and mentoring contributors during Qiskit Hackathons. Engage with the wider developer community.
  
• Qiskit Core Development: Construct and refine quantum circuit construction, backend integration, execution workflows, and transpilation strategy modules for Qiskit.
• Testing and Reliability Engineering: Assemble Qiskit libraries using robust code integration within continuous builds, automated unit and integration testing, and version agnostic cross-testing maintenance.
  
• Hardware-Aware Algorithm Design: Work with researchers to design quantum algorithms for IBM’s superconducting hardware, including its qubit setup & technical limits.
  
• Developer Outreach & Advocacy: Foster user engagement with Qiskit through the development of tutorials, Jupyter notebooks, and instructional materials. Participate in community calls, workshops, and university outreach programs.

Microsoft Quantum Researcher

Contribute to the development of scalable quantum control systems, publish results in top-tier journals, and collaborate with partner labs. Main responsibilities are:

• Collaboration across Labs: Work closely with internal hardware and software staff as well as external institutions to test new system designs, use research architecture, and co-develop technologies for scalable quantum computing.
  
• Quantum Control System Development: Create and carry out qubit control strategies which are accurate at the qubit level and ensure reliability in qubit operations. Tasks include the generation of microwave pulses, and error reduction through calibration and feedback.
• Scientific Research & Publication: Drive innovation by formulating new theories or experiments and writing them up for publication in leading journals, and attending global conferences such as APS March Meeting or Q2B.
  
• Simulation & Theoretical Modeling: Apply techniques such as QuTiP, MATLAB, or even Q# from Microsoft for practical simulations of quantum systems before carrying out physical experiments. Validate quantum error correcting codes or procedures using new gates in simulation models.
  

IonQ Quantum Hardware Engineer

Design, assemble, and characterize systems for trapped-ion quantum computers. Work with laser systems, vacuum equipment, and FPGA-based control hardware. Main responsibilities are:

• FPGA-Based Control Systems: Design real-time systems on FPGAs using LabVIEW, Verilog, or Python. Also perform accurate control and readout for ion-based quantum devices.
  
• Trapped-Ion System Design: Operate, assemble, and integrate complex experimental systems like ultra-high-vacuum chambers, ion traps, optical tables, and control electronics. The Precision in laser alignment is key for effective ion manipulation.
• Laser & Optical Control: Configure and stabilize laser systems used for cooling, state preparation, and measurement of ions. Work with AOMs, EOMs, and frequency-doublers is also quite common for engineers.
  
• Collaboration with Quantum Software Teams: Collaborate with systems software engineers and algorithm developers to ensure seamless integration between quantum hardware and software layers. Such loops allow for feedback to improve gate sequences, compilers, and overall performance.
  
• Experimental Characterization & Optimization: Perform experiments for evaluation of qubit lifetimes, coherence times, gate fidelities, and cross-talk quantification. Use statistical analysis and quantum tomography tools to refine performance.
  

Key Takeaways

• IBM targets the development and integration of open-source software with advanced superconducting hardware.
  
• Microsoft focuses on modular research with worldwide collaboration across disciplines and fields that has a theoretical focus.
• IonQ showcases precision optics, real-time control of hardware, and engineering in a trapped-ion quantum system.

This helps candidates prepare the right skills and approach to meet quantum employers' requirements. No matter if you are a physicist, a programmer, or a systems engineer, there is a place for your expertise in this growing field.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Suitable for Entry-level developers. Fields of Study must be Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering.
• Master’s Degree: Suitable for Mid-level developers and Project Managers.  Fields of Study must be Quantum Information and Cybersecurity.
• Ph.D.: Suitable for the Researchers and quantum Engineers. Fields of Study must be Quantum Physics, Quantum Chemistry.

• IBM Quantum Developer Certification
• edX: Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computation
• Qiskit Global Summer School Certificate

• Microsoft Quantum (WA): Work on topological qubits, error correction
  
• IBM Quantum (NY): Work on Quantum hardware, research, Qiskit
  
• Xanadu (Remote/Canada): Famous for photonic quantum computing
• Google Quantum AI (CA): Superconducting qubits, algorithm design
• Rigetti Computing (CA). Known for full-stack quantum systems
• IonQ (MD): Famous for trapped ion processors

• Coursera – Quantum Computing Courses
• MIT xPRO – Quantum Computing Fundamentals
• IBM – Quantum Learning
• Udemy – Complete Quantum Computing
• Quantum Jobs Requirements
• Quantum Career Roadmap
• Quantum Jobs in USA