Quantum Error Correction Engineer

About IQM Quantum Computers

IQM is a global pioneer in the design, construction, and sales of superconducting quantum computers. The company offers both on-premises full-stack quantum systems and cloud access to its quantum processors worldwide. Its client base includes top high-performance computing centers, research institutes, universities, and enterprises that utilize IQM's comprehensive hardware and software solutions. IQM employs over 300 professionals across multiple international offices including Germany, Finland, France, Spain, Poland, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US.

Role Overview

As a Quantum Error Correction Engineer located in Munich, you will bridge quantum error correction theory with practical implementations essential for scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures. This position involves designing and analyzing error-correcting codes, developing decoding algorithms, and collaborating closely with hardware and software teams to ensure harmonization between error correction methodologies and quantum processor capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and study quantum error-correcting codes tailored to hardware connectivity and constraints.
• Design and assess fault-tolerant operations including advanced logical gate strategies such as lattice surgery.
• Contribute to the development of fault-tolerant quantum algorithms and specialized error correction methods for specific algorithms.
• Develop, benchmark, and enhance decoding algorithms including graph-based methods (belief propagation, union-find, minimum-weight perfect matching) and machine learning-based techniques.
• Implement and optimize decoding software in programming languages like Python, C/C++, or Rust, with potential deployment on FPGA platforms.
• Perform resource estimation and analyze scalability of error-corrected quantum architectures.
• Collaborate interdepartmentally with hardware, control, and software teams to align error correction strategies with actual QPU capabilities.
• Publish research outcomes in prestigious scientific journals and present findings at conferences.
• Maintain stringent code quality standards to ensure software scalability and longevity.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Doctorate in theoretical physics, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related field.
• In-depth knowledge of quantum error-correcting codes, fault-tolerant quantum algorithms, or decoding algorithms.
• Minimum two years professional experience developing scientific software with Python, C/C++, or Rust.
• Proven publication record with at least two high-impact scientific articles.
• Clear communication skills for conveying complex concepts to interdisciplinary teams.
• Collaborative work style suited to research and engineering teams.
• At least three years of experience in one or more of the following areas: designing quantum error-correcting codes under connectivity limitations; multi-qubit logical gate execution (e.g., lattice surgery); fault-tolerant quantum algorithms; algorithm-specific error correction (such as fermionic simulations); decoding algorithms (belief propagation, union-find, MWPM); machine-learning-based decoding methods; or FPGA implementations of decoding algorithms.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with superconducting qubit theories.
• Experience collaborating closely with hardware or experimental quantum groups.
• Commitment to continual learning and expertise enhancement.
• Ability to develop elegant, structured solutions in complex theoretical and technical environments.
• Strong ownership of code quality, testing, and documentation standards.
• Insight into balancing immediate project deliverables with scalable, maintainable long-term solutions.

What IQM Offers

• A chance to join a passionate, diverse team dedicated to pioneering quantum computing.
• An opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the future of quantum technology.
• Competitive compensation, health insurance, local transport benefits, lunch and sports perks, and other corporate advantages.
• A dynamic, open startup environment fostering growth and innovation.

Additional Information

IQM actively publishes research exemplified by studies on logical operators, tile codes, bivariate bicycle codes, error detection in qubit-resonator architectures, near-optimal decoding algorithms, and small quantum codes from algebraic extensions.

Applications are processed promptly with immediate interview scheduling. Only applications submitted through the company website will be considered.

IQM's mission centers on creating world-class quantum computers to solve computational problems beyond the reach of classical systems, working at the forefront of science and engineering to enable breakthroughs in diverse sectors such as medicine, energy, and technology.