IBM

Introduction

At IBM Quantum, our mission is to bring useful quantum computing to the world. We deliver the industry’s most performant quantum systems and empower a global community to pioneer early use cases via Qiskit and the IBM software stack. Today, the IBM Quantum Network brings together over 275 Fortune 500 companies, national laboratories, academic institutions, and startups, all focused on a singular goal: extracting tangible value from quantum computers. As we execute an ambitious roadmap to demonstrate quantum advantage by the end of 2026 and deliver the first fault-tolerant systems by 2029, we are looking for the innovators who will help us define this next era of computation.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Quantum Algorithm Engineer, you will sit at the intersection of high-impact research, algorithm engineering, and strategic ecosystem growth. You will be responsible for driving research in quantum information science and applications, with a dedicated focus on leveraging superconducting hardware and HPC integration to achieve demonstrable quantum advantage across a diverse range of domains such as high-energy physics, chemistry, materials science, and optimization. This role requires a blend of scientific rigor and engineering excellence, as you will design and optimize quantum algorithms, perform system-level performance modeling, and implement production-ready software that facilitates reliable R&D across the IBM Quantum stack.

Your work will be pivotal in bridging the gap between theoretical breakthroughs and real-world utility for the global scientific community. You will lead high-visibility technology demonstrations and partner with strategic clients in the IBM Quantum Network to execute research roadmaps — ensuring they achieve peer-reviewed results through cutting-edge techniques such as advanced error suppression and mitigation. Simultaneously, you will serve as a primary advocate for the user, identifying critical software gaps and delivering technical workshops that translate complex quantum advancements into actionable insights for both academic and enterprise developers.

By collaborating with internal research units and external stakeholders, you will influence the strategic evolution of our software and hardware capabilities. You will provide expert feedback on internal prototypes and engineer sophisticated educational resources that lower the barrier to entry for researchers from diverse backgrounds. We are seeking an expert who can navigate the complexities of near-term quantum processors while showcasing the communication skills necessary to manage multi-team projects and maintain IBM’s position at the cutting edge of the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance Quantum Research: Drive research in quantum information science, algorithms, and applications, with a focus on leveraging superconducting hardware and rigorous verification/validation to achieve quantum advantage.
• Impactful Scientific Output: Contribute to high-impact research in top-tier journals alongside clients and partners.
• Technology Demonstrations: Lead the creation of high-visibility technology demonstrations that showcase state-of-the-art capabilities to strategic partners and the broader scientific community.
• Multi-Field Application: Design and adapt quantum algorithms to solve complex challenges across a diverse range of domains, demonstrating versatility and scalability of the IBM Quantum stack.
• Algorithm & Performance Optimization: Partner with the IBM Quantum Network to benchmark, analyze and optimize execution on both dedicated and cloud-based systems, directly accelerating the path toward quantum advantage.
• Scientific Value Realization: Partner with strategic clients to define and execute research roadmaps, ensuring they achieve high-impact scientific milestones and peer-reviewed results using IBM Quantum’s state-of-the-art hardware and software.
• Ecosystem & User Advocacy: Serve as the voice of the user, identifying critical software gaps and delivering expert-level technical lectures and workshops to audiences ranging from academic researchers to enterprise developers, and from beginners to experts.
• Strategic Software Evolution: Collaborate with software development and product teams to test new capabilities, providing expert feedback on internal prototypes and identifying client-driven opportunities for new tools.
• Production-Quality Implementation: Engineer and implement robust, production-ready software across the IBM Quantum stack to facilitate reliable research and development across different application domains.
• Educational Content Strategy: Design and develop sophisticated educational resources that bridge the gap for researchers from diverse backgrounds, making the latest quantum advancements accessible and actionable.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Liaise with internal research units and external stakeholders to define strategic goals and execute complex, multi-team projects effectively.
• Knowledge Leadership: Maintain an industry-leading mastery of the latest developments in quantum computing and related fields to ensure IBM remains at the cutting edge.

Required education

Doctorate Degree

Preferred education

Doctorate Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• PhD. in Physics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience; with 5+ years of hands-on experience in quantum computing, running near-term algorithms in quantum hardware.
• Experience in academic and/or industry research, and a track record of scientific publications.
• Excellent programming skills in Python, Qiskit, and the IBM Quantum software stack; and a deep understanding of quantum computing architecture, both in software, middleware and hardware.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills to identify, diagnose and address challenges, with proven experience analyzing, modeling and tuning quantum hardware performance, including (but not limited to) transpilation, error suppression and mitigation techniques.
• Project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines; and demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic level, including setting direction, influencing stakeholders, and translating ambiguous goals into actionable plans.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Understanding of quantum system benchmarking techniques and trade-offs across different hardware architectures; including proven experience with real quantum processors, and system-level performance modeling.
• Strong fundamentals in quantum algorithms across different application domains, particularly those that are feasible for near term implementation; and experience in external/interdisciplinary research collaborations.
• HPC programming experience and understanding of the integration between quantum and classical compute capabilities.
• Software development skills (e.g. GitHub, documentation, debugging, data structures, design patters, software testing, CI/CD, agile frameworks, open source); and strong programming skills in C, C++, or Rust are a plus.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across team such as product and sales teams, and in customer-facing and/or client support roles.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

• Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
• Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
• Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
• Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
• Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.