Quantum Processor Development Lead in Delft, Nederland

About Us

QuantWare is building the world’s most powerful quantum processors to solve humanity's greatest challenges. We do this with our unique VIO™ technology, the only QPU architecture that breaks the hardware barriers that have held quantum computing back, unlocking the path to MegaQubit quantum processors.

With VIO, we are paving the way for the hyper-scale quantum computers that will change the world. And delivering on that vision demands people who don’t shy away from tackling the hardest challenges of our time. That’s where you come in!

As a Quantum Processor Development Lead you own people management and project leadership for our quantum processor developement. You rapidly grow the team by recruiting key members, while maintaining a high level of care and support for the team members. You report to the VP of Product and work closely with them to shape the team that defines the direction of key technical development at QuantWare. You will work with some of the smartest and most passionate people in the field, helping us build the world's most powerful quantum processors, as fast as possible.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own and drive processor development

  • Manage development work - particularly chip design and cryogenic measurement.

  • Run smaller, self-contained projects within your team - supporting both department and company-wide initiatives.

  • Partner with assigned Program Managers on larger, cross-department programs, particularly regarding technical execution and requirements compliance of QPUs.

• Manage uncertainty and technical risk

  • Identify technical risks and bottlenecks early

  • Plan for potential failure modes and contingencies

  • Adapt experimental strategies dynamically based on new information

• Develop engineering practices within the team

  • Develop a deep technical understanding of quantum processor technology to guide sound, well-informed decisions.

  • Implement strong and lean technical processes that support sound decision making processes. For example: requirements flowdown, trade studies, root cause corrective action methods, etc.

• Support growth and development of the team

  • Contribute to defining role profiles and act as hiring manager for new roles across the programme.

  • Mentor engineers and project leads in programme execution and collaborative leadership.

  • Manage the engineers in your technology area: hire, coach, review performance, and grow careers.

Your Profile

• Technical background

  • MSc, PhD, or equivalent experience in physics, electrical engineering, microwave/RF engineering, semiconductor technology, or a related field.

  • Understanding of the development lifecycle for chip-level technologies; experience with superconducting qubits or cryogenic systems is a strong plus.

• Leadership experience

  • 4+ years delivering complex, research-intensive chip hardware projects in a project management capacity.

  • Show people-management experience: hiring, coaching, and performance management.

  • Lead projects as part of a larger program, with control over one’s own domain.

  • Run smaller projects directly, without needing dedicated program-management support.

  • Proven ability to work with highly specialised technical experts.

  • Experience working in a fast-moving start-up or scale-up environment balancing hands-on technical leadership with growing a team, as a strong plus.

• Approach

  • Translate a long-term technical strategy into an execution plan for your team.

  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to make pragmatic, informed decisions under uncertainty.

  • Draw a clear line between technical leadership and program management, and partner with Program Managers instead of duplicating their function.

• Communication

  • Excellent communicator who can motivate teams, facilitate alignment, adept at communicating technical ideas.

  • Communicate fluently in English.

Don't tick every box? Apply anyway! Research shows women often self-select out if they don't meet every requirement. Here's our take: nobody ticks every box. This is a description of our ideal candidate, not a filter. If most resonates and you're keen to learn the gaps, apply. We hire for trajectory, not perfection.

At QuantWare, you’ll be part of a high-performing team of world-class experts in an ambitious, fast-moving environment. From day one, you’ll have the trust, tools, and support to do your best work. Here’s what you can expect:

Competitive salary - A salary that reflects the impact and importance of the role (and of course 8% holiday allowance)

Pension that’s built to last - A generous and future-proof pension plan that includes partner and dependent coverage.

Flexibility built on trust - We focus on outcomes. Work flexibly, in a hybrid setup, with an open vacation policy that lets you manage your time

Personal growth - We invest in your L&D, with a budget available to each team member, dependent on their individual ambitions, development needs, and performance

A connected team - We make space to celebrate wins together, with team events, offsites, and spontaneous moments that bring us closer

We’re an ambitious company, not only for our goals but also to become an even more diverse and inclusive team. We know great candidates don't always follow a straight path, and we value diverse experience, perspectives, and ways of thinking. We know this helps us make better decisions, drives more innovation, and strengthens our culture.