Senior Superconducting IC Designer

D-Wave (NYSE: QBTS), D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services. We are the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, and the only company building both annealing and gate-model quantum computers. Our mission is to help customers realize the value of quantum, today. Our quantum computers — the world’s largest — feature QPUs with sub-second response times and can be deployed on-premises or accessed through our quantum cloud service, which offers 99.9% availability and uptime. More than 100 organizations trust D-Wave with their toughest computational challenges. With over 200 million problems submitted to our quantum systems to date, our customers apply our technology to address use cases spanning optimization, artificial intelligence, research and more. Learn more about realizing the value of quantum computing today and how we’re shaping the quantum-driven industrial and societal advancements of tomorrow: www.dwavequantum.com.

You can read more about our company and our innovations in the pages of The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Fast Company, MIT Technology Review, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Wired and across many whitepapers. 

At D-Wave, we’re helping customers realize the value of quantum computing today and are shaping the quantum-driven industrial and societal advancements of tomorrow.

About the role

D-Wave is seeking a Superconducting Integrated Circuit (IC) Designer to join our IC Design team, which builds the chips at the heart of our quantum computers. These chips are some of the most complex superconducting integrated circuits ever fabricated and require a sophisticated, customized Electronic Design Automation (EDA) toolchain.

In this role, you will tackle challenging open-ended questions in the development of our superconducting qubit and integrated processor technology. You will work closely with the designers and scientists on the PD team across multiple major project areas, including:

• Modeling, designing, and improving performance of devices on a superconducting quantum processor. These devices include Josephson junctions, Josephson junctions, SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices), SFQ (single flux quantum) gates, QFPs (quantum flux parametrons), resonators, qubits, and many others.
• Using the EDA toolchain, identifying shortcomings, and conceiving and developing improvements.
• Topological and parametric design of a variety of novel devices and/or device enhancements to improve processor performance or enable new capabilities.
• Understanding the impact of the processor’s environment, including packaging, IO, electronics and cryogenic elements, and developing approaches to mitigate it.

The IC Design team is part of the Processor Development (PD) group, which leads the advancement of our quantum computing hardware. Your work will directly impact our quantum processor architecture and its capabilities. If you’re passionate about design, complex systems, and collaborating across disciplines, we want to hear from you.  

What you'll do

• Create superconducting integrated circuit layouts 
• Understand, predict, and design the behavior of superconducting devices 
• Verify designs for correctness and manufacturability 
• Document IC designs, communicate with colleagues about them 
• Use analytical or numerical models and simulations to represent and understand devices 
• Work with custom software infrastructure for superconducting IC design 
• Debug challenging technical issues that arise in your own work or those of colleagues 

What you'll bring

• Post-secondary degree in electronic engineering, physics, computer science, or a closely related field. 
• IC design experience in an R&D environment, including some analog or rf design experience. 
• Understanding of applied electromagnetic theory. 
• Strong programming skills, including demonstrated ability to collaborate on codebases 
• Strong problem-solving skills and persistence in the face of technical challenges; ability to apply these skills broadly in many different contexts 
• Excellent communication skills in talking to experts and non-experts alike 

Bonus points for

• Subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: 
• • Superconducting devices or other novel IC device technologies 
  • Qubit design or qubit control 
  • EDA software development and customization 
  • RF and microwave design on and near ICs 
• Strong understanding of the physics of electricity and magnetism 
• Experience with EDA tools at scale 
• Strong understanding of verification tools 
• Strong understanding of the complexity of algorithms used in EDA workflows 
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages, Common Lisp, Python, and Cadence SKILL in particular 

A D-Waver's DNA

• We look at the future and say “why not”; we see possibilities where others see problems or routines. We show the way ahead and are committed to achieving ambitious goals.
• We practice straight talk and listen generously to each other with empathy. We value different opinions and points of views. We ensure that we connect outside as well as inside to learn from others and inspire each other.
• We hold ourselves accountable for delivering results. We make decisions & take responsibility so that we can act & support each other.
• As leaders we motivate & engage our teams to undertake beyond what they originally thought possible, by developing our teams & creating the conditions for people to grow and empower themselves through enabling & coaching.

Our Compensation Philosophy is Simple but Powerful:

We believe providing D-Wavers with company ownership, competitive pay, and a range of meaningful benefits is the start of creating a culture where people want to give the best they’ve got — not because they’re simply making money, but because they’ve fallen in love with our vision, mission, values, and team. 

During the interview process, your Recruiter will review our total rewards (base, equity, bonus, perks, benefit, culture) offerings. The final offer is determined by your proficiencies within this level.   

Inclusion: 

We celebrate diverse perspectives to drive innovation in our pursuit. Our employees range from distinguished domain experts with decades of experience in their respective fields, to bright and motivated graduates eager to make their mark. Our diverse and innovative team will make you feel appreciated, supported and empower your career growth at D-Wave.

The Fine Print: 

No 3rd party candidates will be accepted

It is D-Wave Systems Inc. policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, local law.