Quantum Information Architecture Lead

About the role

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers - ready for real-world application.

For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other - often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

Qubit Systems Laboratory (QSL) is a world leader in semiconductor spin qubits. Our broad expertise spans semiconductor growth, device design and modeling, cryogenic control, high-density interconnects and packaging, quantum architecture, and multiqubit demonstrations. Our system architecture is built entirely around scalable semiconductor manufacturing to make quantum computing affordable for practical business and scientific applications.

Essential Duties

• Lead and contribute directly to the design, analysis, and validation of architectures, protocols, and system-level approaches for quantum information science applications.
• Develop and evaluate fault-tolerance methods, error-correction frameworks, and architectural strategies for scalable quantum information processing.
• Perform mathematical modeling, algorithmic development, and numerical analysis to assess quantum protocols, algorithms, and architectural trade-offs, including use of AI/ML techniques when appropriate for physics-driven research workflows.
• Investigate resource, performance, and structural considerations across quantum algorithms, quantum error-correction codes, noise models, and operational constraints.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams-including theorists, applied mathematicians, computer scientists, and experimental physicists-to ensure architectural concepts align with system requirements.
• Provide technical and personnel leadership across quantum information theory, algorithms, and architecture development, including guiding research directions and mentoring junior team members.
• Produce high-quality technical documents such as papers, architectural analyses, reports, and research proposals.
• Present complex concepts and results to internal teams, leadership, external collaborators, and research sponsors.
• Contribute to technical road-mapping and long-term planning for quantum information architectures.
• Support collaborative research efforts, proposal development, and sponsor engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated senior-level leadership experience in quantum information science, including development and analysis of fault-tolerance protocols, quantum algorithms, and quantum information-theoretic methods.
• Recognized expertise across multiple areas of quantum information theory and architectural analysis.
• Mastery of theoretical computer science, mathematics, and information theory, including development and analysis of algorithms.
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques within physics or quantum information research workflows.
• Direct experience developing, analyzing, and implementing high-performance algorithms for quantum information applications.
• Deep expertise in discrete mathematics, numerical methods, probability theory, and scientific computing techniques.
• Experience with high-performance scientific computing environments in Python and/or C++11.
• Proven ability to produce clear, rigorous technical papers, reports, and proposals.
• Strong track record of effective work in collaborative, multidisciplinary research environments.
• Ability to independently drive complex technical research efforts and serve as a principal technical and personnel leader.

Physical Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communications skills, excellent problem-solving skills, ability and desire to work in team environment, ability to spend long periods of time at a computer monitor, and ability to travel.

Special Requirements

US Person Status Required

Pay Range: $193,700 - $248,200

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

Benefits

HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.