Senior Quantum Algorithm Developer

Key Responsibilities: Adapt existing quantum algorithm development techniques to mission-specific use cases; lead technical workstreams; design, implement, and optimize quantum algorithms for NISQ and FTQC architectures; mentor junior developers; contribute to technical publications, patent filings, and proposal efforts; and help curate and evolve the quantum algorithm curriculum for Quantum Sky’s Quantum Community of Practice, supporting internal knowledge sharing and technical development.

Quantum Algorithm Development

• Design, develop, and optimize quantum and hybrid classical-quantum algorithms for mission-relevant applications.
• Implement quantum algorithms using leading quantum software development frameworks and hardware platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate quantum solutions into broader software and mission architectures.
• Develop and evaluate Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithms (QAOA), Variational Quantum Eigensolvers (VQE), Quantum Machine Learning (QML), Quantum Fourier Transform (QFT), Grover’s Search, and other quantum algorithms as appropriate for mission requirements.
• Contribute to the development of fault-tolerant algorithms that support hybrid classical-quantum workflows.

Research & Technical Innovation

• Research emerging quantum algorithms, architectures, and development frameworks.
• Evaluate new quantum hardware and software capabilities to determine applicability to customer use cases.
• Model qubit performance and contribute to error mitigation and quantum error correction efforts.
• Prototype and benchmark quantum solutions across multiple quantum computing platforms.

Collaboration

• Work closely with software engineers, mathematicians, physicists, and government stakeholders to translate mission requirements into quantum solutions.
• Participate in technical reviews, proof-of-concept demonstrations, and customer engagements.
• Document designs, research findings, and implementation approaches.
• Contribute to internal innovation initiatives, technical papers, and proposal efforts.

• PhD or Master’s degree in Quantum Physics, Quantum Information Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 5-8+ years of experience developing quantum algorithms or quantum software.
• Experience developing quantum or hybrid classical-quantum algorithms targeting practical use cases.

• Proficiency with one or more quantum development frameworks such as:

• Qiskit
• PennyLane
• Cirq
• CUDA-Q
• Amazon Braket

Experience programming in Python.

Understanding of quantum computing fundamentals, including:

• Quantum circuits
• Quantum gates
• Quantum optimization
• Quantum emulation
• Variational algorithms

Familiarity with NISQ-era devices and techniques for error mitigation or quantum error correction.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance due to federal-facing programs. Desired:

• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Experience supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, DOE, AFRL, DARPA, or other federal research organizations.
• Experience with quantum optimization (QUBOs), QAOA, VQE, or quantum machine learning.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC), GPU computing, or hybrid computing architectures.
• Publications, patents, or open-source contributions related to quantum computing.
• Experience working in Agile software development environments.