What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quantum Control Systems Engineer (Hardware & Embedded Systems) position at IBM?
Introduction
At IBM Research, we are the innovation engine of IBM. Exploring what’s next in computing and shaping the technologies the world will rely on tomorrow. From advancing AI and hybrid cloud to pioneering practical quantum computing, we anticipate challenges and unlock new opportunities for clients, partners, and society. Working in Research means joining a team that accelerates discovery at the intersection of high-performance computing, AI, quantum, and cloud. You’ll collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push boundaries and turn ideas into reality. With a culture built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, IBM Research offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to breakthroughs that transform industries and change the world.
This role blends hands‑on hardware development, embedded systems and firmware, and software‑driven automation in a quantum laboratory setting. It is ideal for engineers who enjoy working close to the physical system while also diving deep into embedded code and control software to make complex quantum hardware usable, reliable, and scalable.
Your Role And Responsibilities
Your Role and Responsibilities
As a Quantum Control Systems Engineer, you will work across the technical stack to build, test, measure, characterize, debug, and benchmark the world’s most advanced quantum computing systems. You will contribute to the development and integration of novel quantum control electronics and infrastructure, working closely with experimental physicists, IC designers, system architects, and software teams to deliver solutions aligned with the IBM Quantum Roadmap.
This is a breadth‑focused role, requiring versatility, strong problem‑solving skills, and a willingness to tackle challenges spanning hardware, firmware, software, and system integration. The exact focus of the role will evolve based on program needs, as well as your skills and interests.
Example Responsibilities Include
At IBM Research, we are the innovation engine of IBM. Exploring what’s next in computing and shaping the technologies the world will rely on tomorrow. From advancing AI and hybrid cloud to pioneering practical quantum computing, we anticipate challenges and unlock new opportunities for clients, partners, and society. Working in Research means joining a team that accelerates discovery at the intersection of high-performance computing, AI, quantum, and cloud. You’ll collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push boundaries and turn ideas into reality. With a culture built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, IBM Research offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to breakthroughs that transform industries and change the world.
This role blends hands‑on hardware development, embedded systems and firmware, and software‑driven automation in a quantum laboratory setting. It is ideal for engineers who enjoy working close to the physical system while also diving deep into embedded code and control software to make complex quantum hardware usable, reliable, and scalable.
Your Role And Responsibilities
Your Role and Responsibilities
As a Quantum Control Systems Engineer, you will work across the technical stack to build, test, measure, characterize, debug, and benchmark the world’s most advanced quantum computing systems. You will contribute to the development and integration of novel quantum control electronics and infrastructure, working closely with experimental physicists, IC designers, system architects, and software teams to deliver solutions aligned with the IBM Quantum Roadmap.
This is a breadth‑focused role, requiring versatility, strong problem‑solving skills, and a willingness to tackle challenges spanning hardware, firmware, software, and system integration. The exact focus of the role will evolve based on program needs, as well as your skills and interests.
Example Responsibilities Include
- Support the bring‑up, wiring, debug, and characterization of novel quantum computing and quantum control electronics systems
- Integrate highly complex components into large‑scale quantum systems
- Design and evaluate test infrastructure for signal wiring, amplifiers, cryogenic components, and control electronics
- Operate, debug, and characterize systems using lab instrumentation at both room and cryogenic temperatures
- Develop and run experiments to benchmark novel control electronics
- Write software and firmware to control measurement and test equipment
- Contribute to the development and debug of low‑level embedded systems such as microcontrollers, FPGA's, and PC boards
- Develop automated software for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing experimental data
- Write calibration routines and experiments for evaluating quantum processors and control electronics
- Analyze ISA documentation and assembly output to trace and debug ASIC behavior
- Collaborate across experimental, hardware, IC design, PCB, firmware, software, and deployment teams to deliver integrated solutions
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics (with EE/CE experience), or a related field
- Proficiency in Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and Git version control
- Experience working in Linux and command‑line environments
- Experience with embedded systems
- Hands‑on experience working in a laboratory environment
- Strong debugging and problem‑solving skills
- Ability and willingness to learn new technologies quickly
- Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for cross‑disciplinary collaboration
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Physics (with EE/CE experience)
- Experience with one or more of the following:
- Embedded firmware, FPGAs, microcontrollers, or low‑level programming languages
- C, VHDL, assembly language experience
- Hardware/software co‑debug and system integration
- Automated test and measurement control using Python and SCPI
- Electrical test equipment such as oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and TDRs
- Cryogenic systems and low‑temperature test environments
- RF and microwave electronics, signal integrity, and signal processing techniques
- PCB design, layout, and schematic interpretation
- ASIC interaction and debug using ISA or assembly‑level analysis
- Quantum error correction hardware concepts and decoders
- Experience with Cadence and Vivado tools
- Basic quantum computing concepts (gate operations, Bloch sphere, etc.)
- Common qubit measurements (T1, T2, Rabi, Ramsey, etc.)