Quantum System Validation Team Lead

Quantum System Validation Team Lead at Nord Quantique, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. A lead-level full time position in the Engineering team, listed under hardware engineering.Our current needs

We are seeking a senior technical leader with strong expertise in engineering of quantum systems with an emphasis on large-scale experimental validation and reliability engineering. Beyond technical excellence, we are looking for someone capable of building and leading a multidisciplinary validation organization operating at the interface between R&D and large-scale system deployment. The mission of the Quantum System Validation team is to validate preservation of multimode bosonic logical performance under scaling-induced physical variability and emergent error channels, and to enforce the reliability standards required for deployment-ready quantum computing systems. More specifically, this individual will define and grow Nord Quantique’s system-level validation strategy, establish reliability engineering discipline across increasingly complex quantum computing systems, and lead the development of scalable validation methodologies supporting future utility-scale architectures. The role combines quantum system validation, operational robustness engineering, and long-duration reliability qualification of a scaled and integrated system covering cryogenic, control, and software. We recognize that expertise can come from a variety of academic or professional paths-not all of which follow conventional trajectories, and we value diversity in that regard.

Sought expertise and knowledge

• Superconducting quantum computing systems
• System-level validation and performance qualification
• Scaling-induced noise and drift mechanisms
• Reliability engineering and FMEA methodologies
• Long-duration stability testing
• Hardware-software orchestration validation
• Statistical analysis of complex experimental systems
• Cross-functional technical leadership
• Advanced level in English, to communicate with international team members
• Intermediate knowledge of French, an asset

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the system-level validation and reliability strategy across successive quantum computer generations
• Build and support a multidisciplinary validation organization spanning quantum validation, operational robustness, and reliability engineering
• Define deployment-readiness criteria, quantitative system acceptance metrics, performance gates, and validation methodologies supporting deployment decisions
• Lead long-duration stability testing and drift characterization campaigns
• Establish FMEA methodologies, qualification procedures, and reliability governance frameworks
• Validate preservation of logical performance under scaling-induced physical variability and emergent error channels
• Oversee validation of hardware-software orchestration, including calibration workflows, boot-up sequencing, and software integration
• Coordinate cross-functional root-cause analysis activities during system bring-up and validation failures

Requirements

• PhD in experimental physics, engineering, quantum computing, systems engineering, or a related field
• +5 years of postgraduate experience in quantum technologies, advanced hardware systems, or complex cryogenic system development
• Including 2 years of relevant industry experience
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale experimental or system validation efforts
• Experience building or managing multidisciplinary technical teams
• Strong experience operating at the interface between research and engineering environments
• Strong engineering and systems-thinking mindset
• Ability to build and mentor highly technical teams
• Leadership grounded in collaboration, rigor, and accountability
• Clear communicator across hardware, software, and research organizations

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