Lead Quantum Solutions Architect, US

At OQC, we aren’t just theorising about the future; we’re building it.

Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we’ve successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality which includes OQC deploying the first quantum computer in the AI Data Centre in New York. .

The most exciting thing is that we’re just getting started and we’ve recently closed our $350 million Series C funding round which is the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.

The Purpose

As Lead Solutions Architect, US, you’ll lead our US Solutions Architecture capability, helping some of the world’s most ambitious organisations understand, evaluate and adopt quantum computing.

You’ll sit at the intersection of deep quantum expertise and commercial impact, turning complex customer challenges into credible use cases, proofs of concept, benchmarks and technical recommendations, while ensuring what we learn from customers helps shape the future of OQC’s technology and product roadmap.

The Role

This is a senior technical and customer-facing leadership role within OQC’s Global Commercial Team, reporting to the VP Client Solutions, US.

You’ll lead and develop our Solutions Architects while remaining hands-on with our most important technical customer challenges. Working closely with Business Development, Account Management, Product and our technical teams, you’ll connect customer needs with what quantum computing can credibly deliver today and where it can create value next.

You’ll also represent OQC externally, bringing technical authority and clarity to conversations with customers, partners and the wider quantum ecosystem across the US.

What You'll Be Working On

• Lead technical engagements with prospective and existing customers, running workshops and shaping opportunities alongside Business Development and Account Management.
• Turn business challenges into quantum solutions, developing credible use cases, algorithms, models and evaluation approaches that demonstrate potential customer value.
• Build and extend models for OQC hardware, using our product suite as well as developing novel proofs of concept and approaches with the wider Solutions Architecture team.
• Benchmark quantum impact, establishing classical baselines, meaningful evaluation metrics and a clear view of near-term versus longer-term potential aligned with OQC’s roadmap.
• Shape OQC’s customer proposition, bringing technical rigour to proposals, presentations and marketing materials while feeding customer requirements and technical learnings back into Product.
• Stay at the edge of applied quantum computing, tracking developments in algorithms, error mitigation and benchmarking and translating them into practical customer-facing approaches.
• Lead and develop the team, coaching Solutions Architects, strengthening capability and representing OQC with technical and non-technical audiences at customer meetings and external events.

What We're Looking For

• A PhD, postdoctoral background or equivalent extensive industry experience involving application development for physical quantum computers.
• Strong experience working in a consultancy environment with major corporate customers, including gathering and translating customer or partner requirements.
• Has supervised or led small teams of highly qualified technical scientists or engineers.
• Hands-on experience creating quantum algorithms, including hybrid quantum-classical applications and the optimisation of linear and nonlinear methods.
• Strong Python expertise, including relevant Python libraries, with the ability to review and improve software code.
• Excellent problem-solving, troubleshooting and analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate computational complexity.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to make sophisticated scientific and technical concepts clear and relevant to different audiences.
• A customer-first approach combined with sound judgement, influence, innovation, problem-solving and a genuine commitment to mentoring and developing others.
• Strong English-language communication skills.

The 'Nice-to-Haves'

• Experience working in commercial software development.
• Knowledge of distributed computing and concurrent processing models.
• Experience with version control tools and practices.
• Familiarity with project management software.
• Evidence of tenacity and the ability to influence effectively in complex technical and commercial environments.

Why Join OQC

You will join a world-class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.

Learn more about our benefits and positive work culture here: https://oqc.tech/company/careers-at-oqc/

Salary
The base salary range for this position is $160,000 - $200,000 USD per year. This range represents the good-faith base salary OQC reasonably expects to pay for this role at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on job-related factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. This range refers to base salary only.