Physics Quantum Information Senior Scientist, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Sandia National Laboratories quantum information science (QIS) program is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist driven by the opportunity to apply the resources of the engineering national laboratory to building quantum systems. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership skills and a proven ability to inspire interdisciplinary teams working on fast-paced quantum-computing R&D.

Sandias QIS program has been making seminal contributions to the field for over 20 years. This quantum-program Senior Scientist position is formally attached to the Microsystems Engineering, Science and Applications (MESA) Center where Sandias quantum program started. Broadly, MESA is responsible for the research, development, and production of microsystems for the nuclear deterrence (ND) and other national security programs.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong professional network, rigorous courage for pursuing high-risk, high-reward research, and a willingness to influence strategy at the national to local levels. This role aims to accelerate the development of US utility-scale quantum computing. If you are driven by the challenge of advancing quantum technologies, are motivated by having a national laboratory at your back and are eager to make a significant impact in the field, we invite you to apply and contribute to our mission of transforming the future of computing.

What your job will be like

The Quantum Program Senior Scientist will play a leading role at MESA and with quantum-program stakeholder organizations in developing internal and external partnerships and strategies to secure our Nations quantum-technology future. On any given day you might pivot from a technical deep dive on qubit coherence modeling to a strategic briefing for DOE program managersbridging the gap between hands-on R&D and national-scale strategy. This role is designed to maintain a two-to-one ratio between hands-on R&D oversight and mentoring and strategic leadership and external partnerships. Extensive knowledge of industry and government initiatives plus a deep understanding of quantum technology and business opportunities are needed to ensure that: (1) Sandia is optimally engaged to do its part in accelerating technical progress; and (2) Sandia is positioned to influence and support US industry and academia, achieving optimal outcomes for our critical national-security programs.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Credibly contribute to and represent all elements of Sandias quantum-information-science portfolio.
• Advise on, plan, communicate, and assist in the execution of national, regional, and Labs strategies for quantum information science.
• Help recruit, develop, and mentor the next generation of quantum-information-science leaders.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships across MESA, Sandia, federal agencies, industry consortia, and academia to align joint R&D objectives and accelerate U.S. quantumtechnology maturation and adoption.
• Provide an expert voice to challenge and validate technical strategies and decisions through deep involvement with technical and organizational leadership teams.
• Advise MESA leadership to enable sound, risk-based decision making.

$184,400 - $313,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• PhD degree in a relevant STEM field plus 10 years professional experience working in quantum computing.
• Minimum of (5) years experience leading and mentoring interdisciplinary technical teams building and operating complex software/hardware systems.
• Experience with the successful planning, execution, and delivery of work products for national-security programs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Ideally, we would like to see your background include some of the following:

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills in developing positive, trust-based relationships among peers, staff, management, and customers plus working effectively across internal and external organizations.
• Experience leading teams through uncertainty and steering change initiatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of quantum computing that spans experimental hardware design, predictive modeling, implementation, and benchmarking; quantum error correction; and quantum applications and algorithms.
• A demonstrated record of successfully leading proposals for and executing multi-organizational quantum information science research and development
• Demonstrated ability to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to accelerate innovation and increase efficiency.
• Demonstrated record of integration across theory and experiment, science and engineering, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or other work products.
• A history of delivering on projects and meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
• Deep knowledge of Sandias quantum program.
• Strong professional network across industry and academia in national quantum-information science and technology.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with at least one of the following qubit technologies: trapped ions, neutral atoms, silicon qubits, superconducting qubits, or photons.
• Demonstrated experience in quantum sensing, from low TRL observations and concepts to deployable prototypes.
• Deep-technology R&D plus product development and shipping in fast-paced industry settings.
• An active DOE Q-level security clearance.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.