Computer Engineer 2 – Quantum Computing

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

1d

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate's (PCSD’s) strengths in experimental, computational, and theoretical chemistry and materials science, together with our advanced computing, applied mathematics and data science capabilities, are central to the discovery mission we embrace at PNNL. But our most important resource is our people—experts across the range of scientific disciplines who team together to take on the biggest scientific challenges of our time.
The Advanced Computing, Mathematics, and Data Division (ACMDD) focuses on basic and applied computing research encompassing artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, computing technologies, and data and computational engineering. Our scientists and engineers apply end-to-end co-design principles to advance future energy-efficient computing systems and design the next generation of algorithms to analyze, model, understand, and control the behavior of complex systems in science, energy, and national security.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking a Computer Engineer 2 with deep expertise in quantum computing technology to support and advance a state-of-the-art quantum computing testbed supporting PNNL’s Internal Research Investment and direct funded projects from the US Dept. of Energy Office of Science. This position resides within a multidisciplinary research environment focused on advancing quantum information science and enabling next-generation computing architectures for scientific discovery and national security applications.
The selected candidate will contribute technical leadership within a defined science and engineering domain while operating and evolving complex experimental quantum hardware systems. The role requires strong experimental capability, systems-level thinking across hardware and control stacks, and the ability to define and execute focused technical efforts that contribute to broader programmatic objectives.
The Computer Engineer will serve as a key technical contributor to the laboratory’s quantum computing testbed, taking ownership of defined elements of the hardware and control architecture. The successful candidate will operate, maintain, and enhance quantum systems, including cryogenic infrastructure, control electronics, embedded systems, firmware, and software, ensuring reliable and secure experimental performance.
In collaboration with physicists, engineers, and program managers, the candidate will evaluate technical alternatives, recommend system improvements, and implement upgrades that improve fidelity, stability, scalability, and operational efficiency. The role requires making informed engineering judgments on subsystem design, integration strategies, and performance tradeoffs, while aligning with broader technical direction established at the group and division level.
The Computer Engineer will independently execute recurring experimental campaigns and lead small task-level projects from planning through delivery. This includes defining scope, establishing milestones, managing technical risk, tracking schedule and budget, and delivering results in the form of data, reports, and technical products.
The selected candidate will build collaborative networks within the laboratory and across partner institutions, facilitating effective use of shared research infrastructure. Mentorship of junior staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students is expected, as is active participation in internal technical reviews.
A strong commitment to quality, safety, and security is essential. The candidate will model and reinforce best practices in laboratory safety, secure research operations, configuration management, and documentation. Clear communication of technical results is required, including preparation of technical reports and presentation of findings at national and international forums.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Postdoctoral or equivalent advanced research experience in experimental quantum computing platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantum computing technology, including hands-on experience with experimental quantum systems and supporting infrastructure such as cryogenic systems, RF/microwave engineering, FPGA-based control systems, precision measurement electronics, and scalable control or automated calibration architectures.
• Experience integrating complex hardware, firmware, and software systems in a laboratory environment, with a systems engineering mindset and the ability to evaluate performance tradeoffs in fidelity, coherence, latency, and scalability.
• Established record of peer-reviewed publications or equivalent technical contributions in quantum information science or related fields, with strong technical writing and presentation skills for national-level stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to externally funded research proposals and leading sections of technical reports, proposal volumes, or program deliverables is desirable.
• Demonstrated organizational and professional engagement, including mentoring junior researchers, interns, or students, and active participation in the broader quantum information science community.

Responsibilities

• Contribute technical leadership within a defined science and engineering domain while operating and evolving complex experimental quantum hardware systems.
• Operate, maintain, and enhance quantum systems, including cryogenic infrastructure, control electronics, embedded systems, firmware, and software, ensuring reliable and secure experimental performance.
• Evaluate technical alternatives, recommend system improvements, and implement upgrades that improve fidelity, stability, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Independently execute recurring experimental campaigns and lead small task-level projects from planning through delivery.
• Build collaborative networks within the laboratory and across partner institutions, facilitating effective use of shared research infrastructure.
• Mentorship of junior staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students is expected, as is active participation in internal technical reviews.
• Model and reinforce best practices in laboratory safety, secure research operations, configuration management, and documentation.
• Preparation of technical reports and presentation of findings at national and international forums.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree