About this role

Rigetti is hiring a senior-level Hardware Engineer in the software engineering function based in Berkeley. The posting calls out experience with Performance Optimization, Full Stack, Cloud Computing. Listed education preference: a Ph.D. or equivalent. Compensation is listed at $170,000–$205,000 per-year-salary.

Role: Hardware Engineer
Function: software engineering
Level: senior
Track: Individual contributor
Employment: Full-time
Location: Berkeley
Education: Ph.D. preferred
Department: QPU
Posted: Mar 16, 2026

AI Summary

Senior Quantum Engineer designing and optimizing superconducting qubit experiments, developing high-fidelity gates and novel control protocols. Requires PhD in Physics/Applied Physics/EE and extensive hands-on superconducting qubit experience with demonstrated ability to independently lead complex experimental efforts.

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Job description

from Rigetti careers

We are looking for a Senior Quantum Engineer with expertise in superconducting qubits to join our hardware R&D team.

This role is for someone who wants to work on technically difficult problems that directly shape a quantum hardware platform. You will not be optimizing within a fixed roadmap, you will help define it.

You will design, execute, and interpret experiments that push the performance and scalability of superconducting qubit systems. You will develop new gate schemes, explore advanced control protocols, and test architectural ideas that can influence platform-level decisions.

We operate in direct competition with the best-funded and most established teams in the world. We are looking for someone who finds that motivating.

You will have a high degree of autonomy and ownership while working in a collaborative environment. If you have a strong technical hypothesis, you will be expected to test it rigorously and defend it with data. Strong ideas move quickly through experimental validation.

What You Will Do

Develop experimental programs on superconducting qubit devices.
Develop and optimize high-fidelity quantum gates.
Design and test novel control and coupling strategies.
Identify fundamental performance bottlenecks and isolate their physical origin.
Analyze data with scientific rigor to extract insight, not just metrics.
Collaborate across device, fabrication, and control teams to translate ideas into hardware progress.

What We Are Looking For

PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Extensive hands-on experience with superconducting qubits.
Strong background in gate design, pulse engineering, and decoherence mechanisms.
Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex experimental efforts from concept to validated result.
Intellectual independence, technical courage, and the ability to defend ideas with evidence.
Motivation to compete at the highest technical level in the field.

This position is best suited for someone who wants visible impact, real ownership, and the opportunity to help shape the direction of a quantum hardware platform, not just contribute to a small piece of it.

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

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Export Licensing Compliance

Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.