Quantum Systems Architect

Your mission

At  planqc , we are building scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms, one of the most promising platforms for achieving real-world quantum advantage. Your role is to develop our achitectural vision and technically lead the product development by technically defining workpackages , interfaces and performances. At the same time you see and own the whole picture.

This role  is essentially a Senior Experimental AMO Physicist role augmented by technical management and system engineering skills for efficient distribution of work in a large team. As a Quantum Systems Architect you are driving architectural decisions on our major quantum processing products and technically coordinate the work across all of its subsystems technical teams: identifying key technical risks and strategies to mitigate them, defining logic, interfaces, functions, and performance targets, running design and implementation reviews, and maintaining the technical budgets that keep the system on track to perform.

Beyond individual projects, you will help shape how  planqc does systems engineering as a discipline, establishing best practices and exchanging learnings across project teams and hardware generations. This role sits at the intersection of physics and engineering, working shoulder to shoulder with mechanics, optics, electronics, software, and quantum algorithm teams. It is ideal for someone who thinks in systems, enjoys resolving the hard trade-offs between subsystems, and wants to take technical ownership of how our neutral-atom quantum computers are built — for example, our next-generation continuous atom loading system.

Your responsibilities

• Lead the architecture  and design of  major new systems  from concept through integration and commissioning, i.e, full life cycle. To do this you
• Design, document, and manage  the  system architecture  for planqc's quantum computing platforms.
• Perform the  technical breakdown  of the system architecture into well-defined  workpackages , and distribute them to the relevant domain experts and teams (e.g. performance to the algorithms team, optics to the optical subsystems team).
• Technically coordinate all work packages  by defining interfaces, functions, and performance requirements for each of them.
• Lead  design and implementation  reviews  for work packages to catch integration risks early and keep subsystems aligned.
• Own  and  maintain  technical budgets  (e.g. performance budgets) to make sure the overall system meets its targets.
• Identify key questions  and find solutions with experts in and outside the company, while keeping the whole system consistent with key requirements.

What you bring

• Deep understanding of neutral-atom quantum computing platforms  (or closely related atomic/quantum systems) and the physics driving system design, such as atom trapping, loading, and coherent control.
• Proven experience  architecting complex systems and breaking them down into well-scoped workpackages across hardware and software components.
• Proven  track record  of successfully  leading  high-impact technical projects from concept to operation.
• PhD or equivalent industry experience in physics, engineering, or a closely related field, with a  strong background in AMO physics.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience  designing, building, and integrating complex experimental  neutral atom or ion quantum hardware systems.

What characterizes you

• You think in systems: you naturally see how subsystems interact and where the real bottlenecks are. It is natural for you to see the potential solution from different aspects.
• You take ownership and drive complex technical challenges to a working solution.
• You communicate clearly across disciplines and enjoy aligning diverse technical stakeholders.
• You are rigorous about requirements, interfaces, and trade-offs, without losing sight of the big picture.
• You are motivated by turning  cutting-edge physics into scalable, reliable hardware.
• You enjoy sharing best practices and helping other teams learn from what has already been solved elsewhere.

Why join planqc

At planqc, you will work on one of the most promising quantum computing architectures alongside a highly driven and collaborative team spanning physics, engineering, and software.
We combine deep-tech research with an engineering mindset, turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable quantum systems.

Joining us means:

• Working on cutting-edge neutral atom quantum hardware
• Taking ownership of quantum systems from day one
• Collaborating with an exceptional, international team across disciplines
• Contributing to a fast-growing quantum startup at a pivotal stage

Benefits at planqc

• Flexible working. Flexible hours and hybrid work where the role allows.
• Company pension. Betriebliche Altersvorsorge with an employer contribution.
• Health and fitness. EGYM Wellpass for gyms, pools and studios, plus regular Health Days.
• …