{"id":3281948,"url":"https://alion.io/job/riverlane-lead-quantum-scientist-government-programs-qec-2","title":"Lead Quantum Scientist, Government Programs (QEC)","company":{"id":51525,"name":"Riverlane","domain":"riverlane.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/riverlane","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":11,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":39,"computed_at":"2026-11-04T06:34:25Z"}},"role":"Quantum","role_family":"Quantum","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["College Park, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":145000,"max":240000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":240000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"HPC","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-17T09:05:59Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-26","last_verified_at":"2026-11-04T16:47:15Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":48,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":48},"description":"Lead Quantum Scientist, Government Programs (QEC)\nCollege Park, MD, US | Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid \nSalary: $145,000 to $240,000 DOE \nThe salary range for this role is broad, as we are able to consider varying levels of experience. Any offer made will carefully take into account level of experience (including relevant industry experience), transferable relevant skills and previous relevant achievements.\nAbout us \nRiverlane’s mission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science, to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion. \nHaving raised more than $125M in funding to date to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), Riverlane partners with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast. \nAbout our new Maryland office\nWe are opening an office in Maryland to work more closely with the US government agencies, national laboratories and research institutions that are shaping the future of quantum computing. This role is one of our founding hires there. You will help establish Riverlane's presence in one of the densest concentrations of quantum research in the world, and have a direct hand in how we build the team, the partnerships and the programs that follow.\nAbout the role\nAs a Lead Quantum Scientist, Government Programs, you will take technical ownership of some of Riverlane's most strategically important research programs - collaborations with national laboratories, government agencies and major research institutions. These partnerships sit at the core of accelerating the path to utility-scale quantum computing, and require scientific depth, reliable delivery, and the ability to work credibly with sophisticated technical stakeholders.\nThis is a hands-on role as much as a leadership one. You will run and shape the research yourself, act as the named technical lead or investigator on programs, own delivery against agreed milestones, and serve as the senior technical point of contact for your sponsors and partners. You will also work directly with quantum hardware partners - helping them design, run and interpret QEC experiments using Riverlane's software and hardware products, and feeding what you learn back into our research and product roadmap.\nYou will operate across Riverlane's highly collaborative Research and Engineering organization, working alongside mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, and hardware and software engineers. As the Maryland team grows, there will be opportunities to mentor and to build a small research group around your programs.\nWhat you will do\nYour work will vary, but typical activities may include:\nLead the technical delivery of government-funded QEC research programs, owning milestones, deliverables and technical reporting\nAct as Riverlane's senior technical interface to government agencies, national labs and research partners\nConceive and conduct original research in quantum error correction and related areas, working hands-on where appropriate\nWork with partners across the US with varied qubit architectures to design and execute quantum computing experiments, using Riverlane's DeltaKit software and tools\nInvestigate experimental results, diagnose issues, and work with internal research and product teams to resolve them\nLead technical contributions to competitive funding proposals and oral evaluations\nPublish high-quality research and present results at leading journals, conferences and technical forums\nHelp establish Riverlane's presence in Maryland, building relationships across the local quantum research ecosystem\nMentor researchers and contribute to Riverlane's research culture and technical excellence\nWhat we need\nA PhD in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience)\nSubstantial research experience in quantum computing, gained in academia or industry\nExperience taking technical ownership of a project or workstream and delivering on time against agreed milestones\nExperience working with external stakeholders, ideally government agencies, national labs or research consortia\nExperience designing, running and analyzing experiments or simulations using research-grade tools\nStrong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to discuss complex ideas clearly with a variety of audiences\nThe ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, and independently where needed\nWillingness to travel within the US, including to partner and national laboratory sites, and occasionally to the UK\nMust be able to obtain a US government security clearance if required\nEven better if you have\nExperience as a named investigator or technical lead on government-funded research programs\nExperience leading collaborations with national labs, major research facilities, or government-funded consortia\nDeep expertise in one or more QEC-relevant areas such as fault-tolerant architectures, decoding algorithms, noise characterization, or system-level performance analysis\nExperience integrating quantum or HPC research with real hardware systems, simulators, or large-scale testbeds\nExposure to multiple qubit architectures and an understanding of their respective QEC considerations\nA track record of securing external funding through competitive grants or program-level proposals\nA strong network across the US quantum computing research landscape\nExperience mentoring, coaching or supervising early-career researchers or research engineers\nWhat can you expect from us\nA comprehensive benefits package that includes an annual bonus plan, private medical insurance, life insurance, and 401K contributions\nEquity, so that our team can share in the long-term success of Riverlane\nGenerous paid time off and enhanced family leave\nA diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory, physics and math) and over 20 different nationalities\nA learning environment that encourages individual, team and company growth and development, including a regular program of learning events and training and conference budgets\nHow to apply \nPlease upload your resume and covering letter by clicking 'Apply'. Your covering letter should explain why you are applying for the job and what skills and experience you can bring to the role. \nWe review CVs as we receive them and interview as soon as we have applications that look like a good match. We do not use closing dates. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this role. \nIf you have any queries, please contact . \nEveryone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity. \nWomen and other underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all or nearly all of the requirements. If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply - you may be a great fit, even if you don’t meet every single qualification. We’d love to hear from you. \nIf you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help. \nGDPR notice: Riverlane collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. 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