Quantum Simulations Software Developer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Quantum Simulations Software Developer within the NERSC division. The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Berkeley Lab seeks an enthusiastic engineer to advance large-scale quantum circuit simulations. This position is within the Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), which focuses on exploring emerging computing technologies, including quantum computing, to accelerate scientific discovery.

The current project is focused on validating the performance of quantum computers in the classical hardness regime. As the performance of quantum computers improves, it will no longer be possible to classically simulate quantum circuits, leaving us unable to determine how close quantum circuit performance is to ideal results. For this reason, it is necessary to develop scalable benchmarks that provide a way to quantify and predict the fidelity of quantum circuits relative to ideal results, without relying on classical simulations.

The primary focus of this position is to modify and develop distributed state-vector and tensor network simulations for simulating large-scale quantum circuits classically using NERSC resources (e.g., Perlmutter). With these simulation tools, we will study the limits of classical simulability as a function of qubit count, circuit depth, and entanglement and how these circuit features impact the requirements for traditional HPC resources.

This position has an anticipated start date of December 1, 2026.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans

• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!

• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.

• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

• Pet insurance

You will:

• Simulate the performance of quantum circuits on classical supercomputers.

• Design and optimization of classical simulation algorithms for quantum circuits.

• Explore approximate simulation algorithms for improved scalability on classical hardware.

• Develop a hardware-aware performance model and planner for distributed MPS simulation.

• Develop a circuit-level resource model for classical quantum simulation.

• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present progress at scientific conferences, workshops, and technical meetings.

• Work on and resolve problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.

• Demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

• Network with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise.

We are looking for:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent work experience.

• Demonstrated understanding of the fundamentals of quantum computing and the quantum circuit model of computation.

• Experience running quantum circuit simulations using exact and approximate approaches such as tensor networks.

• Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Julia, C++).

• Familiarity with common quantum computing frameworks (e.g., Qiskit, Cirq, Pennylane).

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced research environment.

• Ability to prepare periodic updates (written and oral) for internal and external reviews or reports.

• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.

• Ability to network with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.