Overview

The preferred work location for this position is in Richland, Washington but the team will consider a work location in Seattle, Washington as well as virtual applicants based on position requirements and organizational needs.

Responsibilities

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory seeks a Chief Scientist in Quantum Computing to provide senior scientific leadership in quantum computing architectures, compilation, large-scale simulation, and fault-tolerant scalability, supporting PNNL's contributions to the Quantum Science Center (QSC) and PNNL's Internal Research Investment QuAADS.

This position is focused on end-to-end, system-level research across the quantum computing stack and hybrid quantum HPC systems. The successful candidate will help align architectures, compilers, error models, simulation, and hybrid quantum-classical execution to determine how fault-tolerant quantum computing can be realized in practice for scientific workloads. A key responsibility of this role is guiding and extending PNNL's existing quantum software and simulation capabilities, including large-scale, noise-aware simulation on leadership-class HPC systems. This is a senior technical leadership role with substantial engagement in research, modeling, and software direction.

The Chief Scientist will provide scientific leadership in the design and evaluation of quantum computing architectures and fault-tolerant systems, with a focus on system-level feasibility and scalability. The role includes guiding and coordinating research across the full quantum computing stack, spanning architectures, compilers, quantum simulation, and hybrid quantum-classical execution models, and ensuring that these components are developed in a coordinated and technically consistent manner. Focus areas for this role include research on large-scale, noise-aware quantum simulation, advancing and applying quantum modeling and simulation tools to study architectural scalability, compilation strategies, and fault-tolerance trade-offs under realistic physical and operational assumptions.

In addition, the Chief Scientist will coordinate and provide research leadership while collaborating closely with existing teams working on hybrid algorithms, scientific applications, and experimental validation efforts. The role includes publishing results in peer-reviewed venues, presenting findings in technical reviews and workshops, and contributing to the development of reusable research software and modeling tools. The Chief Scientist will also mentor senior staff, scientists, and postdoctoral researchers in research methods, technical rigor, and scientific communication, helping to sustain PNNL's research excellence in quantum computing.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Extensive experience with demonstrated impact and recognition in quantum computing systems, architectures, or software
• Established expertise in quantum computer simulation, compilation, or system-level modeling for noisy or fault-tolerant systems
• Strong applied knowledge of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant architectures
• Prior experience working within DOE-funded programs, national laboratories, or comparable research environments
• Proven leadership in defining scientific and technical objectives with influence across programs
• Successful capture, planning, and execution of complex interdisciplinary projects
• Sustained record of high-quality publications, software contributions, or technical leadership
• Ability to secure and sustain funding that supports staff, project teams, and long-term research directions

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $173,400.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $274,100.00/Yr.