Head of Quantum Engineering

Qblox is a deep tech scaleup whose mission is to accelerate the worldwide race towards building scalable quantum computers by providing our customers with the world's best quantum control stacks.

Our Mission

Qblox develops control stacks that combine unrivalled noise and drift performance, a low-latency arbitrary control flow and scalability up to 1000s of qubits. The control stack generates the analogue pulses (DC to 18 GHz) needed for the control and readout of qubits. These analog signals are generated from 1000s of parallel channels and driven by our proprietary sequence processor technology. Our products are used by R&D teams globally to accelerate the development of operational quantum computers and quantum networks. The technology we are developing is compatible with a broad range of qubit technologies (superconducting, spin, NV-centres, cold atoms).

To make sure our products enable our customers to reach their research goals fast, we have an internal Quantum Application Engineering department that does experimental research on cryogenic setups (we currently own a superconducting qubit setup - a spin qubit setup will soon follow). This makes sure our technology is tested in an identical setting to where the equipment will be used by our customers. The department works closely with the R&D, sales and product teams to make sure our hardware and software is capable of running state of the art research. The current Quantum Application Engineering department consists of a single team of 8 engineers. In the coming years, we aim to significantly grow the department to focus on the execution of our application roadmap.

Your Mission

As the Head of Quantum Engineering, you will take charge of building the department that is executing our application roadmap, ensuring that our development efforts align with our company's strategic objectives. As a key leader within our R&D organization, you will be responsible for the entire application development lifecycle, ensuring that our products are not only delivered fast and efficiently but also have performance that exceeds industry standards. Your daily tasks will involve managing the quantum application department's team(s), budget, and implementing process improvements in alignment with the teams that allow our organization to grow further.

In this position, collaboration will be key as you work closely with other department heads and your team to coordinate activities and foster synergy across teams.

As part of your responsibilities, you'll have the opportunity to expand our quantum application department by establishing new teams and nurturing existing ones. Your leadership will be instrumental in defining and implementing engineering processes to drive efficiency and innovation. You have strong people management skills, with the ability to create a working environment in which team members feel challenged, motivated, and develop and grow further. You lead by example, giving people the feeling and freedom to take ownership and accountability. You have a growth mindset that can adapt easily to our dynamic and fast growing company and you help the people in your department do the same.

Moreover, you'll have responsibility for the department's budget, requiring strategic financial management to support our objectives effectively.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping our company's technological vision and roadmap, and driving us towards continued success in the market. If you're ready to lead, innovate, and make a significant impact, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.

Enough about us, what about you?
To really enjoy the role, we anticipate that you will have lead experimental research groups within an academic environment, and you will need experimental experience rather than just theoretical.  Additionally, we will be looking for the following demonstrated skills:

• Previous experience as a Principle Investigator, Head of Applications or equivalent leadership role in a quantum computing research organization.

• More than 8 years of experience in experimental quantum computing

• Extensive experience with recruitment and building an organization, preferably in a start-up/ scaleup environment.

• The ability to speak the (technological) language of the experimental quantum researchers and understand and act on the interaction with other engineering disciplines.

• Strategic leadership skills.

• Excellent people management, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Strong customer focus and ability to increase (internal and external) customer focus within the team.

• Experience with superconducting and or spin qubits.

• Excellent publication track record and scientific reporting skills

• PhD degree in Experimental Physics, Computer Science or a relevant field

Competencies

• Strategic leadership: The ability to develop and communicate a clear vision, set strategic goals, and inspire teams to achieve them. This includes making informed decisions, allocating resources effectively, and adapting strategies to meet evolving business needs.
• Operational Excellence: A strong understanding of operational processes and systems, coupled with the ability to optimize workflows, minimize costs, and maximize efficiency. This competency involves implementing best practices, continuous improvement initiatives, and performance metrics to drive operational excellence.
• Cross-functional collaboration: The capacity to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders across different functional areas. This includes fostering strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and aligning goals and priorities to achieve collective success.
• Change Management: The skill to navigate and lead organizational change initiatives, whether it involves process improvements, technology implementations, or organizational restructuring. This competency encompasses effectively communicating changes, managing resistance, and facilitating smooth transitions.
• Decision-making and problem-solving: The capability to analyze complex situations, evaluate options, and make timely and effective decisions. This includes assessing risks, considering implications, and implementing solutions to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

About us

Since 2019, Qblox has grown into a dynamic company employing 120+ innovative, international minds, all dedicated to the company’s mission. We are growing exponentially and welcome talented individuals who share our enthusiasm to make a difference. We’re striving to build a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, experiences, and skills. If you are to join us, you can expect:

• An international, interdisciplinary team of high-skilled physicists, engineers, designers and scientists with an open working culture

• A high-curiosity, high-performance and invigorating team dynamic

• Flexible working hours: hybrid working options and travel allowance for commute, 30 days annual leave and holiday allowance

• Company-sponsored retreats and Friday lunches

• Modern, open office with proximity to QuTech facilities, shared with Delft-based quantum start-ups

• Competitive compensation and participation plan

• Opportunities for international travel for conferences, partnerships and customer visits

At Qblox, we operate at the frontier of the quantum revolution delivering advanced technologies needed to build Quantum Computers. This field is rapidly growing and will impact society on a global level. With a dedicated team of scientists, engineers and developers we are pushing quantum technology to support experimentalists worldwide with our scalable and low-latency qubit control and readout equipment.

As a spin-out of the Delft-based quantum technology institute, 'QuTech' (a collaboration between the Delft University of Technology and TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), our relationship with QuTech and other leading labs around the world enables us to implement the latest scientific insights and take a position up front in the worldwide race towards quantum computers.