Your role and responsibilities:
As Xanadu's Technical Engagement Manager (TEM), Algorithms and Applications, you will lead the growth of our pipeline of commercial algorithms and applications research projects. You will identify opportunities, pitch Xanadu's capabilities to prospective customers and partners, and convert those conversations into funded engagements. You will own the full project lifecycle, from prospecting, through proposal writing, pricing, contract negotiation, and ongoing relationship management. Working at the intersection of Xanadu's research teams and our external partners, an ideal candidate will excel at translating cutting-edge quantum algorithms research into compelling, sector-specific value propositions.
You will:
- Indentify and assess new commercial and strategic opportunities across target industries, building and maintaining a robust pipeline of potential engagements.
- Serve as the business development voice in customer-facing pitches, translating Xanadu's algorithmic and applications research capabilities into clear, problem-specific value propositions tailored to each customer's domain and business context.
- In partnership with algorithms specialists, lead proposal development end-to-end, including initial technical scoping with algorithms experts, writing and editing proposals, pricing and structuring engagements, and managing contract negotiations.
- Present to senior technical and business leadership - including C-suite executives, CTO offices, and research directors - at Fortune 500 companies and other prospective partners.
- Oversee project delivery once engagements are won, coordinating kickoff, milestone tracking, and ongoing communication between Xanadu's research teams and external stakeholders.
- Cultivate and deepen long-term relationships with customers and partners, identifying opportunities to expand scope, renew engagements, and build strategic accounts.
- Coordinate internally with Algorithms, Legal, and Finance teams to ensure proposals are technically sound, commercially viable, and aligned with Xanadu's R&D roadmap.
- Track and report on pipeline metrics (e.g., opportunities identified, proposals submitted, win rates, contract value, and customer satisfaction) to inform strategy and resource allocation.
Basic qualifications and experience:
- Undergraduate degree in physics, computer science, mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in a customer-facing or applied research role - e.g., management consulting, research collaboration management, business development at a deep-tech company, national laboratory, or university technology transfer office.
- Demonstrated track record of winning new business - proposals funded, contracts signed, or partnerships launched.
- Direct experience writing proposals, scoping technical projects, and negotiating agreements with commercial or institutional partners.
- Strong understanding of how to translate advanced research capabilities into industry-relevant value propositions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with both research scientists and senior business executives.
- Comfortable presenting to C-suite, CTO offices, and research leadership at large enterprises.
Preferred qualifications and experience:
- Advanced degree (PhD, MSc, or equivalent) in physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Familiarity with quantum computing, quantum algorithms, or adjacent computational science domains (e.g., optimization, simulation, machine learning).
- Experience working in one or more of Xanadu's target verticals: financial services, aerospace and defense, energy, semiconductors, or pharma/life sciences.
- Experience pricing and structuring professional services, research collaboration agreements, or licensing deals.
- Existing network of relationships with R&D or innovation leaders at Fortune 500 companies or major research institutions.
- Experience working with or within a startup or high-growth technology company.
- Familiarity with intellectual property considerations in collaborative research settings.
