Senior Quantum Control Physicist

About Qunett

Qunett is developing the foundational hardware layer for quantum networking. Our mission is to build scalable, field-deployable quantum networks through solid-state quantum memory and networking technologies designed to operate beyond the laboratory and integrate directly with real-world infrastructure. At Qunett, physicists and engineers work hands-on with diamond-based quantum devices, photonics, cryogenic systems, and control electronics to translate fundamental quantum capabilities into practical networked hardware. This is a ground-floor opportunity to help shape how quantum systems communicate, scale, and drive the next generation of secure communication, distributed sensing, and quantum computing. As an early-stage company actively building out its quantum memory and photonics teams, Qunett seeks physicists and engineers who bring technical range, adaptability, and readiness to contribute across disciplines as the technology and team evolve.

Work Location

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Boston, MA.

About the role

Qunett is hiring a Senior Quantum Control Physicist to design, build, and operate the coherent control stack for our diamond quantum memory — the microwave/RF, optical, and cryogenic hardware that initializes, manipulates, and reads out electron-nuclear spin registers in group-IV color centers. You will own the control layer of a memory testbed: engineering microwave and optical delivery paths, integrating them with sub-Kelvin cryogenic platforms, and developing the pulse sequences, calibration routines, and automation that turn a working experiment into a repeatable system. Day to day, this means running pulsed control experiments (Rabi, Ramsey, dynamical decoupling, multi-qubit gates on the spin register), diagnosing noise and error sources, and iterating on hardware to push fidelity, speed, and robustness. The scope spans hardware design through control-sequence development, with an emphasis on building systems ready to operate beyond the lab. The successful candidate will join the core experimental team building Qunett's diamond quantum memory products for quantum networking.

Required qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
• Hands-on experience with coherent control of a qubit system, e.g. spins (color centers, gate-defined semiconductor spin qubits, NMR/ESR), superconducting qubits, or trapped ion, neutral atom, or other AMO platforms
• Experience designing and building hardware for microwave or optical coherent control of quantum systems, such as PCB or CMOS design for RF/microwave signal delivery, or design of photonic/optical control systems
• Working knowledge of RF/microwave and electronic instrumentation in a lab setting (e.g., signal generators, AWGs, FPGA-based pulse sequencers, photon time taggers, lock-in amplifiers)
• Python or equivalent scripting for instrument control, pulse sequencing, data acquisition, or experimental analysis

Preferred qualifications

• Experimental experience with pulsed spin resonance and coherent control: Rabi oscillations, Ramsey interferometry, T1, T2*, T2, CPMG/XY dynamical decoupling, composite or optimal-control pulses, and gate calibration
• Experience controlling multi-qubit spin registers, including nuclear spin initialization, manipulation, and readout via an electron spin
• Experience operating cryogenic systems below 1 K (dilution refrigerators, adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators, or He-3 systems)
• Microwave engineering background: coplanar waveguide or stripline design, impedance matching, cryogenic wiring, filtering and thermalization, and EM simulation (e.g., HFSS, CST, COMSOL)
• Experience with FPGA-based or commercial quantum control electronics (e.g., QICK, Quantum Machines, Zurich Instruments, Qblox, or custom sequencers)
• Background in magnetic field delivery and control: bias magnet or coil design, field alignment and homogeneity characterization, or shielding of stray fields
• Familiarity with diamond color centers or other optically addressable spin defects
• Experience with laser systems for spin control and readout, including AOM/EOM modulation, frequency stabilization, and single-photon detection
• Track record of system integration, automation, and noise/error characterization on a quantum experiment

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Equity participation through stock options for all new hires
• Flexible time off: unlimited PTO, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
• Employee support benefits including EAP, caregiver support, healthcare advocacy, and more