Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Researcher

Technergetics

Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Researcher at Technergetics evaluating approaches in fault-tolerant quantum computing. Collaborating with DARPA's QBI team on technology assessments and documentation.

Posted 6/29/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesJunior💰 $75,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

The day-to-day activities of DARPA’s QBI team include performing tasks to identify, select, capture, evaluate, and document the metrics and approaches that DARPA’s commercial Performers are developing and applying to build fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computers (USQC).
The QBI team is responsible for generating and executing plans to assess the timeline, performance and operation metrics, and plausibility of each Performer’s technology.
Candidates will verify a Performer’s ability to build a USQC that operates as intended, and they will document, report, and justify the findings.
Typical work can be divided into three categories:
Review and Evaluation
Rapidly digest large quantities of complex Performer-specific technical details, perform relevant independent evaluations, and generate standardized Government artifacts summarizing independent assessments of that material
Evaluate quantum computing architectures, devices, algorithms, and applications including utility and maturity
Identify Performer subsystems and components required to successfully design and construct the system
Discover, develop, implement, execute, evaluate, analyze, articulate, and justify models and simulations at the component, subsystem, and system levels
Assess DARPA and Performer requirements; capture and document the level of maturity of these elements
Identify, assess, and capture design, development, and integration risk
Identify the Performer’s interface approach
For efforts with an existing Interface Control Document (ICD), review the information and identify any shortcomings. It may be necessary to convert the Performer-provided ICD to a common framework identified/developed by the Government evaluation team.
For Performer efforts that do not have an existing Interface Control Document, assist the Performer to track system interfaces through an ICD or similar document.
Documentation and Reporting
Assist non-traditional performers to complete design reviews
Participate in system concept and readiness reviews
Perform prototype subsystem System Requirements Review (SRR) through Final Design Review (FDR) and prototype construction
Assist with diverse evaluation and documentation activities
Identify, implement, and apply standardized Government and systems engineering products, practices, and documentation
Professionalism and Teamwork
Work with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, physicists, scientists, engineers, and subject matter experts to identify problems and synthesize solutions which can be integrated into preexisting workflows and processes
Discover, develop, and lead novel workflows to enhance and improve evaluation processes as new Performers are added to the program
Cultivate a professional and respectful environment of cooperation by listening and considering the views of others.
Be willing and able to seek opportunities for collaboration with personnel from other functional units (finance, contracting, etc.) and other technical areas of participating organizations to accomplish work-related activities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

1+ years of professional experience in physics, mathematics, computer engineering, operations research or closely related position is a plus
Knowledge and experience with photonic principles, devices and circuits, integrated photonic chips, and similar
Knowledge and experience with superconductor principles, devices and circuits, integrated superconductor chips, and similar
Knowledge and experience of the principles and practices of using other viable quantum information modalities, such as solid-state devices, atomic systems, etc. for elements of scalable quantum computation
Knowledge and experience with standard Systems Engineering (SE) frameworks and practices (SysML, DoDAF, etc.); Experience with DoE SE practices is a plus.
Familiar with typical DoD reviews, including technical review products and organizational structure
Experience with development/execution of modeling and simulation tools and related software tools and techniques
Ability to leverage mathematics and statistics to analyze, visualize, and explain complex and unstructured data
Comfortable speaking to diverse audiences; capable of organizing and conveying abstract/complex ideas and concepts
Able to expediently generate focused and detailed work product based on evolving/general/nebulous task requests
Understand USAF/DoD structure and current strategic guidance; able to follow and respect the chain of command
Comfortable engaging in frequent and recurring video teleconference (VTC) meetings (camera on)
Candidates absolutely must be capable of working independently to produce timely products, with a mindset that embraces the flexibility required to define and follow the procedures for DARPA’s new and evolving QBI program.
The following advanced knowledge of quantum computing is a plus:
Experience planning, performing, and conducting experimental quantum research using computer simulations and mathematical models
Specific experience with quantum computing hardware, especially valuable if it is across multiple qubit modalities
Specific experience developing quantum algorithms designed for fault-tolerant quantum computers
Expertise in quantum resource estimation tools and techniques for analyzing quantum circuits
Experience or academic background in Quantum Error Correction and quantum fault tolerance

Benefits

Comp & perks

health, life, disability, dental, and vision insurance coverage
401(k) policy with a 3% company contribution & 3% company match
generous Paid Time Off (including a PTO “gift day” for your birthday)
11 Federal Holidays per year
three weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
annual technology “allowances”
referral bonuses
professional recognition awards
healthcare stipends
tuition/education reimbursement (once specific requirements are met)
flexible daily start and stop times for most projects and positions

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Quantum ComputingSystems EngineeringModeling and SimulationMathematicsStatisticsQuantum AlgorithmsPhotonic DevicesSuperconductor DevicesQuantum Error CorrectionFault-Tolerant Quantum Computers

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationProblem-SolvingProfessionalismAdaptability