Quantum Computing Specialists

Employers

Major employers of QC professionals include IBM, Google Quantum AI, Microsoft Quantum, Amazon Web Services, Intel, Honeywell Quantum Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rigetti Computing, General Electric, Raytheon Technologies; D-Wave Quantum; Boeing; Quantum Computing Inc.; and Goldman Sachs. Quantum computing professionals are also employed by startups, nonprofit research organizations, and colleges and universities. Some work as consultants.

Quantum computing professional are also employed by government agencies—especially at the federal level. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy operates five National Quantum Information Science Research Centers that conduct cutting-edge research in quantum science. Here are the five centers:

• Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (lead institution: Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York)
• Q-NEXT (lead institution: Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois)
• Quantum Science Center (lead institution: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee)
• Quantum Systems Accelerator (Lead institution: Lawrence Berkeley National) Laboratory, California)
• Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (lead institution: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Illinois)

Starting Out

Quantum Jobs USA (https://www.quantumjobs.us) reports that approximately 60 percent of people working in the quantum sector come from other occupational areas. Many have backgrounds in traditional STEM occupations such as physicist, computer specialist, electrical engineer, mathematician, and chemist.

The Quantum Industry Association offers a list of its members on its Web site, https://www.quantumindustrycoalition.com/#members. These companies will serve as a good starting point for those seeking to work in quantum computing. Job leads can also be obtained by using the resources of one’s college’s career center, attending career fairs and other networking events, and using the assistance of a recruiting firm.