We are looking for a Application Engineer in Quantum Optimization with a strong background in Operations Research and/or in Quantum Computing to strengthen our team.
What you’ll do :
Lead quantum optimization-related client projects from early technical discussions and problem framing to project delivery and handover.
Support the Commercial team on the execution of feasibility studies and on the definition the state of work for future client projects
Translate real-world problems into optimization formulations and evaluate solution strategies using a mix of analytical reasoning and numerical experimentation.
Investigate and synthesize the state of the art (academic and industrial literature) to identify relevant directions, assess feasibility, and propose impactful research paths.
Develop and scale quantum optimization solutions for clients’ use cases on Pasqal quantum processors. Also, improve and extend existing use cases;
Design and run benchmarking and feasibility studies, including assessing the limitations of classical approaches and identifying realistic pathways toward quantum utility.
Develop solutions and experiment pipelines in close collaboration with the software engineering team, using emulation backends locally and on HPC when relevant.
Work hardware-aware: investigate realistic implementations on neutral-atom hardware (mainly using analog paradigms)
Define blueprints of quantum utility for clients’ use-cases and collaborate closely with R&D hardware teams to bring them to fruition.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders (Engineering, R&D, academic and industrial partners, and clients) throughout all phases of projects, ensuring alignment on technical scope, success criteria, and deliverables.
Support team-wide execution and knowledge sharing, including helping on code/components outside your direct ownership when needed and contributing to ongoing scientific watch activities.
About you
With a MSc or PhD in Combinatorial Optimization, Quantum Computing or in a related field with at least 5 years of experience in a similar role, you have most of the following assets:
Strong background in combinatorial optimization: familiar with classical problems, linear programming, constrained programming, heuristics, metaheuristics, complexity theory, graph theory
Strong background in quantum computing: in-depth understanding of quantum algorithms, Hamiltonian-based optimization, Ising formulations, adiabatic and variational approaches, noise mechanisms, state preparation errors, measurement statistics, and hardware constraints of neutral-atom QPUs;
Methodological: ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications on current and future quantum hardware
Delivery mindset: ability to explore, prototype, benchmark, and iterate on new approaches. Write clear technical reports
Programming skills (Python): good software engineering practices such as version control, testing, and documentation
Solid experience on algorithm evaluation & benchmarking: experiment design, reproducibility, performance analysis
Able to collaborate with Engineering and R&D teams across different disciplines
Project leadership: plan and drive projects end-to-end, manage milestones and risks
Client-facing skills: relationship skills for interacting with clients and partners
What we offer
Contract type: Permanent contract based in Europe
A dynamic and close-knit international team
A key role in a fast-growing start-up
Time allocated for training and attending conferences and meetups
Process de recrutement
A 30-minute interview with our talent acquisition team
A conversation with Wesley, the hiring manager
A technical assessment
Meet the team in the office
Job offer!
Pasqal est un employeur garantissant l'égalité des chances. Nous nous engageons à créer un lieu de travail diversifié et inclusif, car l'inclusion et la diversité sont essentielles à la réalisation de notre mission. Nous encourageons les candidatures de tous les candidats qualifiés, quels que soient leur sexe, leur race, leur origine ethnique, leur âge, leur religion ou leur orientation sexuelle
Skills Required
- MSc or PhD in Combinatorial Optimization, Quantum Computing, or a related field
- At least 5 years of experience in a similar role
- Strong background in combinatorial optimization (LP, CP, heuristics, metaheuristics, complexity and graph theory)
- Strong background in quantum computing (quantum algorithms, Hamiltonian-based optimization, Ising formulations, adiabatic and variational approaches, noise and hardware constraints)
- Experience with neutral-atom QPU hardware and hardware-aware implementation constraints
- Programming skills in Python and good software engineering practices (version control, testing, documentation)
- Proven experience in algorithm evaluation and benchmarking, experiment design, reproducibility, and performance analysis
- Ability to translate real-world problems to optimization formulations and identify solution strategies
- Project leadership: plan and drive projects end-to-end, manage milestones and risks
- Client-facing skills and ability to collaborate with engineering, R&D, academic and industrial partners
- Methodological and delivery mindset; ability to write clear technical reports
What We Do
Pasqal is a French quantum computing company developing scalable neutral-atom quantum processors and dedicated software for industry, science, and governments. Its platform is designed to deliver practical quantum computing at scale, support complex industrial workloads, and bridge classical and quantum workflows. Pasqal offers on-premise QPU deployment as well as cloud-native access through Pasqal Cloud, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure for customers.
