Quantum Optics Scientist - QPU Prototyping

Quantum Optics Scientist - QPU Prototyping

Quandela

Massy, France

About your team:

You’ll join the QPU Prototyping team, part of QPU Integration. Your team focuses on the development of next-generation optical quantum computing systems. Their primary responsibility is designing and refining R&D QPUs, accessible through Quandela’s cloud platform. The team develops modular components, adds new features, and improves QPU performance to align with Quandela’s long-term quantum computer architecture.

Why This Role Matters?

• From ideas to hardware: You turn hypotheses into prototypes, and prototypes into QPU modules that run;
• Scaling the roadmap: You bridge the gap from design to stable operation. Every improvement in loss, uptime, or fidelity takes us closer to 6 → 12 → 24+ qubit systems with higher fidelity. It also paves the way for next-generation QPUs, enabling feedforward, error correction, and ultimately universal fault-tolerant quantum computing;
• Shaping the system: Your experiments, ground them in science, set the standards — from error budgets to control strategies and design trade-offs across the stack.

What will you do?

Build & improve QPU modules:

• Prototype optical modules:
  • Design, assemble, align, measure, and stabilize complex free-space and fibered optical systems.
• Integrate into the QPU:
  • Bring modules online, debug, optimize, and validate against spec. Hand over with clear procedures and test plans.
• Improve performance:
  • Once integrated, track loss and drift, isolate noise sources, and implement fixes that hold — pushing qubit fidelity and system stability forward, while contributing to next-generation QPUs with new features.

Tools & knowledge sharing:

• Code for the lab:
  • Develop pragmatic Python tools for acquisition, calibration, and analysis (scripts, utilities, quick plots) — tools your teammates actually reuse.
• Document & collaborate:
  • Work full-stack with peers (optics, electronics, semiconductors, software). Leave behind clear lab notes and protocols so others can run the system without you.

How You’ll Grow?

• 0–3 months: own a bench; deliver your first doc pack (procedure + checklist + Python tools), complete a characterization;
• 3–6 months: own one module from V0 to QPU integration; hit targets on loss/stability, standardize tests;
• 6-12 months: own multiple modules or a QPU area, contribute to planning, and trade-offs (Quality/Cost/Schedule).

Next steps? mentor juniors, lead projects, step into Optics Lead.

What We’re Looking For?

Must-Have:

• Hands-on experimental optics: complex design, alignment, metrology;
• Python for the lab: acquisition, calibration, analysis, plots (code that speeds up work);
• Documentation discipline: Feedback, procedures, test protocols.

Important (can grow here):

• Basic electronics for the bench: safe operation, light soldering, DAQ, drivers;
• Semiconductor awareness: (quantum-dot sources, couplings, packaging).

Bonus:

• Exposure to quantum optics (correlations/HOM), PICs, cryogenics, optimal control, or firmware/FPGA.

Languages:

• English professional level required.

Examples of backgrounds we value:

For this role, we’re looking for a PhD profile with proven experience in complex optical systems — someone who can master experimental design, alignment, and measurement, and turn that expertise into reliable hardware modules.

• Experimental quantum/photonic optics scientist (PhD) eager to land hardware in a product;
• Optical/laser systems scientist/engineer with robust bench skills and pragmatic Python;
• Research-trained profile who has delivered lab modules into operational handover.