How to Break Into the Quantum Computing Industry

Quantum computing has long held promise as the next era in information processing, with applications in drug discovery, finance, and encryption. But it’s only in recent years that the technology has edged closer to commercial viability. With that, a new demand has emerged in the job market: engineers capable of designing, building, and maintaining the next generation of supercomputers.

As big tech firms, governments, and investors pour money into building scalable quantum machines, jobs in the now-niche sector are expected to grow. Market data from The Quantum Insider suggests that 250,000 quantum computing jobs globally will need to be filled by 2030. In the United States alone, job postings looking for quantum skills tripled from 2011 to mid-2024, and many of these openings were for engineers, according to a report from the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy.

“The demand for quantum engineering roles has only just begun,” Giancarlo Hirsch, managing director of Glocomms, a talent firm that hires for quantum roles, told IEEE Spectrum. “Everyone in the quantum ecosystem—from recruiters to contractors to suppliers—feels the urgency and pressure to accelerate these projects.”

But how do you break into the industry? Engineers and recruiters say you don’t need a degree specifically in quantum physics to work in the sector. Rather, quantum companies are recruiting from fields spanning electrical engineering, AI, and semiconductors.

1. Start Early, and Reverse-Engineer Your Career Path

Although quantum computing companies recruit from a range of disciplines, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the different types of jobs in the field so you can build the right skills early. Before diving in, aspiring candidates should “reverse engineer” their career pathways into the kind of role they want and identify the necessary skills needed, according to John Barnes, founder of the quantum talent agency Entangled Positions.

“You need to first of all ask yourself, ‘What do you want to do? What are you driven by? What are your goals and aspirations?’ ” Barnes says. Then work backwards.

For a role in quantum hardware, for example, you might need to master laser cooling techniques or gain lab experience with cryogenic systems. Software positions might involve learning Python or Matlab for control libraries and C++ or Rust for low-level programming. Regardless of your chosen path, specificity helps tailor your learning journey.

2. Consider Getting a Ph.D.

A Ph.D. isn’t required for every role, but for research-heavy positions—especially in quantum hardware—it’s still the industry standard, whether that’s a degree in physics, or another field like electrical engineering or computer science.

“Within our scientific teams, an ideal candidate typically holds a Ph.D., has completed a postdoc and/or gained commercial experience, all of which is accompanied by a strong track record of publications,” says Dan Higginbotham, senior director of human resources at QuEra, a startup developing advanced neutral-atoms-based quantum computers.

“The demand for quantum engineering roles has only just begun.” — Giancarlo Hirsch, Glocomms

At IBM Quantum, Neereja Sundaresan landed a job as a research scientist after receiving her Ph.D. in electrical engineering. Her role involves designing superconducting circuits and packaging them for scalable quantum systems. That work demands deep expertise in microwave systems, superconducting qubits, and cryogenic engineering—skills she built during her doctoral program.

Similarly, Daniela Florentina Bogorin, a research engineer at IBM Quantum, brings a background in low-temperature physics and solid-state superconducting materials from her Ph.D. in physics. This level of domain-specific expertise is crucial for her current role managing a lab that tests the performance of quantum processors.

For aspiring quantum scientists, internships and fellowships can help early-career talent break into the industry. Programs like the IBM Quantum internships, QuTech Academy, and the QISE-NET Fellowship offer hands-on experience and mentorship.

3. Leverage Transferable Skills From Other Industries

If you’re farther in your career and looking to pivot to a position in quantum computing, you don’t need to start from scratch. Many quantum companies are actively recruiting engineers from traditional industries.

Before making the leap into quantum, Antoine Martin spent the first 10 years of his career working in robotics, semiconductors, and crypto. He’s now a software engineer at Alice & Bob, a Paris-based quantum startup, where he specializes in testing hardware. “You don’t need to be a physicist to work at a quantum company,” Martin says.

According to Alice & Bob’s vice president for people and culture, Valentine Zatti, engineers from sectors like AI, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors already possess the skills quantum companies need. Some AI specialists, for example, are familiar with building scalable, low-latency ecosystems—a core competency in quantum, Glocomm’s recruiter Hirsch says.

4. Hone Your Soft Skills

Quantum engineering isn’t just about hard science. Recruiters emphasize the importance of adaptability in the evolving field and persistence when working on projects that may span years, for example.

Being part of a team with physicists also means asking questions and admitting gaps in knowledge. “You have to be comfortable being the least knowledgeable person in the room,” says Alice & Bob software engineer Martin. On the other end of these interactions, being able to articulate complex ideas in a digestible way is key, whether explaining concepts to other subject experts or talking to nontechnical stakeholders.

5. Don’t Judge a Job by Its Title

Quantum job titles can be misleading.

For example, quantum recruiter Barnes points to “scientific sales” roles which involve high-level collaboration with Nobel laureates, professors, and advanced researchers. While Ph.D. holders may check out when they hear the word “sales,” the job requires deep scientific expertise—sometimes more than in their previous academic work.

To decode quantum job listings, Barnes advises applicants to check out jobs beyond traditional engineering titles. “The job’s responsibility and function are far more important than the title,” he says.

Quantum computing is an emerging, interdisciplinary field that needs engineers from all walks of life. Whether you’re an AI specialist, an optical physicist, or a software developer, there may be a role for you.