Staff Scientist - Quantum Applications (Defense)

Location: Remote within New Mexico, USA; must reside in New Mexico. Travel: 10% to customer sites. US persons only.

Salary: $160,000–$200,000 USD base salary, plus bonus, equity, and benefits.

Company

hirify.global develops integrated quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security solutions based on trapped-ion quantum technology.

What you will do

• Develop hybrid quantum applications for defense-related missions and help customers solve complex problems with hirify.global quantum computers.
• Translate customer problem statements into quantum code, integrate algorithms into realistic workflows, and reconnect solutions with internal, open-source, and commercial software tools.
• Evolve algorithmic approaches alongside the hardware roadmap, including the transition from NISQ to fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Benchmark quantum algorithms against state-of-the-art classical and quantum methods, including resource estimation and crossover-point analysis.
• Develop foundational intellectual property and high-impact peer-reviewed publications.
• Represent hirify.global externally with customers, clients, and conference audiences.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a similar STEM field, plus 4+ years of professional experience developing quantum applications applicable to defense use cases.
• Experience leading Federal, DefenseTech, and industrial R&D engagements.
• Experience tuning quantum algorithms and benchmarking across different quantum modalities and against classical state-of-the-art methods, with expertise in resource estimation and crossover-point calculations.
• Mastery of Python and Qiskit or a similar quantum SDK.
• Working knowledge of C++ or another low-level language.
• Strong track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Evidence of putting customers and missions first and exceeding expectations.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Must reside in New Mexico and qualify as a US person.

Nice to have

• Contributions to open-source or production-grade codebases.
• Experience in the quantum solutions industry, such as a solutions group at a quantum computing company or an industrial company with a quantum department.
• Experience developing software with agentic AI assistants such as Codex, Opus, or similar tools, including rapid customer-facing prototypes.
• Experience developing well-tuned hybrid quantum algorithms that leverage CPU and QPU capabilities.

Culture & Benefits

• Autonomy, productivity, respect, and an inclusive work environment.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Matching 401(k), unlimited PTO, and paid holidays.
• Parental and adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend.
• Base compensation may vary based on education, qualifications, experience, location, and internal equity.