Quantum Systems Engineer
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Compensation: $110-$130K,commensurate with experience
Type: Full-time
Organization: Elevate Quantum
About Elevate Quantum
Elevate Quantum (EQ) is America’s Quantum Tech Hub, designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and representing the largest concentration of quantum organizations in the world. EQ operates at the center of a rapidly scaling ecosystem spanning industry, academia, national laboratories, and government across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Our mission is to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology and translate regional scientific leadership into lasting economic impact.
EQ is not a traditional nonprofit. It is an execution engine responsible for deploying capital, standing up infrastructure, and delivering measurable outcomes across a diverse portfolio of programs. The organization operates across five core business units:
Advanced Packaging Facility
Focused on high-mix, low- to medium-volume production, this facility supports quantum and advanced photonics companies with capabilities in optoelectronics packaging such as flip chip bonding, solder attach, wire-bonding, fiber-to-chip coupling, and various metrology capabilities. In partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, EQ is helping bridge the gap between research and scalable manufacturing.
Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Fabrication Facility
A rapid-turn, low-volume fabrication facility designed for quantum-relevant materials (including silicon nitride and lithium niobate), enabling significantly faster iteration cycles than traditional foundries and supporting early-stage and scaling companies alike.
Commercialization Labs
A shared-use environment offering access to advanced equipment, lab space, and the nation’s first open-access, open-architecture quantum system. These labs provide critical infrastructure for testing, prototyping, and validating emerging technologies.
Workforce Development
Spanning Colorado and New Mexico, EQ’s workforce programs combine ecosystem coordination with hands-on training delivered on real equipment. These programs are designed to build the next generation of quantum technicians and support a rapidly growing talent pipeline.
Consortium Engagement
EQ manages a 150+ member coalition and convenes the broader ecosystem through advisory boards, CEO roundtables, major events, and cross-state collaboration. The organization also partners with state and regional entities to attract companies, align strategy, and drive continued investment into the region.
Together, these business units form a vertically integrated platform—one that spans infrastructure, talent, commercialization, and ecosystem activation. EQ’s role is to ensure these components operate cohesively to accelerate the path from scientific breakthroughs to commercial deployment at scale.
About the Role
Elevate Quantum is launching an independent testbed centered around a neutral atom quantum system based in New Mexico. The desired outcome is to provide access to a system-relevant environment where neutral atom technologies, subsystems, and enabling components can be evaluated under realistic operating conditions, generating benchmarked, comparable, and defensible performance data for the quantum ecosystem.
We are seeking a Quantum Systems Engineer to serve as the on-the-ground technical lead for standing up, operating, and maintaining this neutral atom testbed. This individual will work closely with technical teams from some of the biggest names in the quantum community to receive training and knowledge transfer on the system, and then take ownership of day-to-day operation, benchmark execution, and customer-facing testing campaigns. The Quantum Systems Engineer will be a critical link between neutral atom testbed operations and the broader community of component suppliers, startups, national laboratories, universities, and end users accessing the facility.
This is a hands-on technical role at the center of a national effort to build independent, standards-driven benchmarking infrastructure for neutral atom quantum computing. Ideal candidates are comfortable operating sophisticated AMO/quantum hardware, enjoy working directly with external customers, and are excited to help define how an emerging quantum modality is validated and brought to market.
Key Responsibilities
Operate and maintain the neutral atom quantum system and associated infrastructure, including laser systems, vacuum systems, optical control, and classical control electronics.
Complete technical training and knowledge transfer from some of the biggest technical names in quantum computing for system operation, calibration, and testing workflows.
Execute benchmarking and validation campaigns according to frameworks, methodologies, and evaluation criteria, translating into repeatable test protocols.
Support development and documentation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), validation protocols, and benchmark reporting templates.
Manage customer onboarding, scheduling, and day-to-day testing workflows for external organizations — including component suppliers, startups, national laboratories, and universities — accessing the testbed.
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers throughout testing engagements, including setup, execution, troubleshooting, and results delivery.
Maintain system uptime and reliability in support of target utilization rates, performing routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting to minimize downtime.
Contribute technical input to benchmark reporting frameworks and commercialization-oriented evaluation outputs.
Track and report on system performance, utilization, and program KPIs in coordination with Elevate Quantum's program management team.
Assist with other tasks as needed in support of the initiative's technical and operational goals.
Qualifications
Advanced degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Optics, Atomic Molecular & Optical (AMO) Science, Engineering, or a related field, with demonstrated hands-on experience in AMO or quantum systems.
2-5+ years of applied experience working with cold atom, neutral atom, trapped ion, or related AMO experimental systems.
Hands-on experience with laser systems, optical trapping, vacuum systems, and associated control and measurement instrumentation.
Familiarity with quantum control, qubit characterization, and benchmarking methodologies; experience designing or executing test and validation protocols is a plus.
Comfort working directly with external customers and translating technical results into clear, actionable reporting.
Experience with Python and common scientific/lab automation software.
Previous experience standing up or operating a research lab, testbed, or shared-use facility preferred.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced, early-stage program environment.
Willingness to be based at the New Mexico testbed site and travel occasionally for program and ecosystem engagement activities.
Why Join Us
This is a rare opportunity to be on the ground floor of one of the first independent, neutral atom-focused benchmarking and commercialization capabilities in the United States. You'll work at the intersection of cutting-edge AMO hardware and real-world industry need, helping define how an emerging quantum modality is tested, validated, and trusted by the market.
Elevate Quantum is not only the nation's first and only federally designated Quantum Tech Hub; we are also at the forefront of building the physical and workforce infrastructure that will define America's global competitiveness in quantum for decades to come.