Quantum Applied Scientist, Simulation Methods and Tools, AWS Center for Quantum Computing (Toronto)

Description

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Center for Quantum Computing (CQC) in Pasadena, CA is looking to hire an Applied Scientist focused on the development of methods and tools for simulating quantum processor devices.

In this role, you will develop and apply numerical methods and software tools that address simulation problems in quantum processor design and characterization.

You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians working at the forefront of quantum computing and will have an opportunity to make an enduring impact on the development of fault‑tolerant quantum computers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high‑quality software tools and numerical methods for simulating our devices at the circuit‑QED level, allowing us to accurately and efficiently compute static and dynamic properties of our devices, such as frequencies, coupling strengths, and gate error budgets.
• Build tools that directly support device development work done by CQC scientists, such as device theorists, designers, and experimentalists on adjacent teams.
• Collaborate with these scientists to research and investigate simulation‑based solutions to problems in quantum processor design and characterization, communicating findings and delivering recommendations and best‑practice examples.
• Thrive in ambiguous environments that require tackling unsolved problems.
• Apply strong engineering principles while maintaining scientific rigor.
• Explain work to software engineers or scientists from different backgrounds.

A Day in the Life

• Collaborate with designers, device theorists, and measurement scientists to identify high‑impact modeling and simulation problems.
• Research and develop methods and algorithms that could enable or improve our workflows.
• Write up findings and discuss them with scientists and software developers.
• Develop and test high‑quality implementations, demonstrating them for target applications.
• Stay on top of the latest developments in software and algorithms.
• Attend regular seminars and discussions with Caltech scientists.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD, or Master’s degree and 5+ years of experience in science, technology, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in patents or publications at top‑tier peer‑reviewed conferences or journals.
• Experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, C++ and implementing algorithms using both toolkits and self‑developed code.
• Experience with modeling quantum devices using circuit quantum electrodynamics, numerical simulation of quantum many‑body systems, or application of machine‑learning methods and tools to science or engineering problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in professional software development.
• Experience applying theoretical models in an applied environment.
• Fluency in Python, Julia, C++, or Rust.
• Experience with QuTiP, QuantumOptics.jl, scQubits, SQcircuit, or related software packages.
• Experience with JAX, PyTorch, or other Python‑based solutions for automatic differentiation or GPU acceleration of self‑developed linear algebra code.
• Experience in quantization of superconducting circuits, simulation of quantum real‑time dynamics under fast driving, disorder and localization in quantum many‑body systems, variational quantum states such as tensor networks, Hamiltonian inference, characterization and calibration of quantum processors, or surrogate modeling of quantum devices.

Export Control Requirement

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be either a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be able to obtain a U.S. export license.

EEO Statement

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.