Principal Device Theorist

As Principle Device Theorist, you will lead the way developing theoretical tools to understand and improve Rigetti’s superconducting quantum computers. You and our team of theorists, working alongside experimental teams, will push the limits of QPU performance and scale through circuit QED modeling that optimizes qubit operations, explains anomalies, and points to new directions for research and development. You will lead efforts to improve gate operation fidelity, readout, coherence, and noise reduction. This role requires collaboration across all of our technical disciplines, including control systems, circuit design, software, and fabrication, to advance Rigetti’s goals to achieve quantum advantage and error correction.

Key Responsibilities

• Model state-of-the-art qubit performance and readout for large-scale quantum processors
• Help Rigetti management grow team of theorists to meet the challenges of understanding increasingly complex QPUs.
• Provide physics theory perspective to Rigetti leadership for making key technical decisions and refining long-term hardware roadmap
• Develop tools to accurately simulate noise sources of superconducting qubits
• Model entangling gates on superconducting quantum processors
• Create pulse-level simulations of QPU dynamics
• Implement optimal control techniques to enhance quantum gate and readout performance
• Develop tools to analyze experimental measurements and predict anomalies
• Conduct detailed modeling of the error budget for NISQ algorithms and quantum error correction
• Collaborate with diverse teams of engineers in fabrication, design, electronics, software, and more

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, plus 4+ years of relevant work experience
• Demonstrated track record of leadership in technical environment. Ability to mentor and develop junior theorists
• Experience collaborating with experimentalists to analyze & interpret experimental data, predict anomalies, and characterize noise and readout performance
• Proficiency in quantum trajectory simulations and quantum benchmarking protocols
• Experience simulating open quantum systems and noise modeling
• Background in gate-based quantum computing or superconducting circuits, either in academic or industrial settings
• Strong programming skills in Python for scientific applications
• Ability to excel in a collaborative environment
• Excellent communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Expertise in the practical implementation of quantum algorithms on superconducting qubits and quantum error corrections
• Proven ability to design and execute innovative research projects
• Experience in a technical role within an industry or startup environment

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti and today employs more than 130 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

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Export Licensing Compliance

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license. In order to ensure compliance, Rigetti must determine U.S. citizenship or U.S. visa/immigration status of all prospective applicants for this position.

Any citizenship information provided will be reviewed solely for export control compliance purposes. Only applicants eligible to receive export-controlled items, software, technology, and information will be considered for this position. Citizenship information will be handled in accordance with Rigetti’s policies prohibiting discrimination based upon classifications protected by federal, state, or local law.

Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.