Applied Scientist, Quantum Device Packaging & Environment R&D, Device Team, AWS Center for Quantum Computing, Device Team

Location: Pasadena, CA

About the role

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Center for Quantum Computing is seeking an Applied Scientist on the Device Team, focused on packaging and environmental R&D for quantum devices. You will join a multi-disciplinary team of theoretical and experimental physicists, materials scientists, and hardware and software engineers working at the forefront of quantum computing. This role requires deep expertise in the design, modeling, and testing of packaging and off-chip environments for microelectronic or quantum devices, with a strong understanding of how packaging and environmental factors impact qubit performance at cryogenic operating conditions. Candidates with a track record of original scientific contributions in packaging, microwave engineering, or quantum cryogenic hardware will be preferred.

We are looking for candidates with strong scientific and engineering principles, resourcefulness, a bias for action, superior problem-solving skills, and excellent communication. Working effectively within a team environment is essential. As an applied scientist at CQC, you will drive packaging and environmental R&D from concept through hardware demonstration and stay abreast of advances in quantum hardware packaging and cryogenic measurement science.

Responsibilities

• Develop packaging and environmental R&D for superconducting quantum devices, spanning four interconnected areas:
  • Packaging R&D: Design, model, and test packaging solutions for superconducting quantum devices. Build electromagnetic and mechanical models to predict and optimize packaging performance, and characterize packaging at cryogenic temperatures.
  • Environmental Test Standards: Design and develop test standards for characterizing the DC and microwave qubit environment, ensuring rigorous and reproducible assessment of off-chip environmental contributions to qubit decoherence and loss.
  • Measurement Automation: Automate data collection for environmental test standards and develop automated reporting pipelines to enable efficient, scalable characterization across devices and configurations.
  • Environmental Improvement: Collaborate with hardware engineers, PCB designers, and circuit designers to identify and mitigate the most significant sources of environmental noise and integration uncertainty, driving improvements in qubit performance through off-chip environment optimization.
• Contribute to multi-year roadmap planning for packaging and environmental capabilities aligned with CQC objectives.
• Help establish the scientific foundation for this capability area within the Device team.

About the team

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and continue to innovate, offering customers a robust suite of products and services. As part of the AWS Utility Computing (UC) organization, you will support the development and management of Compute, Database, Storage, Internet of Things (IoT), Platform, and Productivity Apps services. Within AWS UC, the Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) team engages with customers requiring specialized security solutions for their cloud services.

Our inclusive culture encourages learning and curiosity. Employee-led affinity groups foster inclusion, and ongoing events like Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon inspire us to embrace our differences. AWS values diverse experiences and encourages candidates from non-traditional career paths to apply.

We offer mentorship and career growth opportunities, with resources to help you develop into a well-rounded professional. Work-life balance is a priority, and we strive for flexibility to support both professional success and personal well-being.

Requirements

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics.
• 3+ years of experience in cryogenic packaging design/testing, microwave engineering, or quantum hardware characterization.
• Familiarity with cryogenic systems and low-temperature measurement environments.
• Experience in patents or publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals.
• Proficiency in programming with Java, C++, Python, or a related language.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics.
• Hands-on experience with superconducting quantum device packaging.
• Knowledge of sources of decoherence and loss in superconducting qubit systems related to packaging, off-chip environments, and interfaces.
• Track record of driving R&D from concept through hardware demonstration.
• Experience using Unix/Linux.
• Experience in professional software development.

Pay

Base salary range: $142,800 - $193,200 USD annually.

Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and location.

Benefits

Amazon offers comprehensive benefits, including:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance, and optional supplemental life plans).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental health support.
• Medical Advice Line and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement coverage.
• 401(k) matching.
• Paid time off and parental leave.

Learn more about our benefits at amazon.jobs/en/benefits.