Application Support Engineer (Quantum Algorithms)

About Quandela:

Quandela is a French deeptech company building Europe's first general-purpose photonic quantum computers. Our machines are already available through the cloud, and now also delivered on-premise.

Beyond hardware, we develop the full software stack :

• Perceval, our open-source simulation library,
• Merlin, our platform to program and run quantum algorithms,
• Cloud and on-site deployment for academic and industrial clients.

In 2024, as part of the EuroQCS-France consortium (GENCI & CEA), Quandela is giving the European research community early remote access to a 6-qubit photonic quantum computer. This precedes the 2025 on-site deployment of Lucy, our 12-qubit system at CEA's TGCC, marking a milestone that combines HPC and quantum in one hybrid infrastructure.

This creates new needs: researchers will start using our quantum systems — from algorithms to QPU infrastructure — both remotely and on site, and they expect immediate, reliable, high-level support.

That's why we are building a dedicated support cell.

Your role will focus on the algorithms side - making sure codes and workflows actually run, feedback loops into R&D/Product. You will be accompanied by a QPU-focused counterpart to cover the full stack.

Why this role matters?

You'll be the single point of contact for GENCI/CEA researchers, on the algorithms side, ensuring that Europe's first photonic quantum computer is usable, reliable, and impactful from day one.

This role is strategic and highly visible - for Quandela, for CEA, and for the French quantum ecosystem. It's about enabling pioneering algorithms to become real quantum applications on a national-scale system.

Requirements

On-site presence:

>3 days a week at CEA's Très Grand Centre de Calcul (TGCC) in Bruyères-le-Châtel (Essonne) - home of the Joliot-Curie supercomputer. Being close to the machine and the teams is what makes this support strategic and impactful

> The rest of the time : hybrid from Massy/Paris-Saclay.

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What you'll do?

• Manage tickets (code execution, compilation, scripts, and performance)
• Debug issues in algorithms and environments
• Install and update applications; advise on libraries and tools
• Provide user training (1-to-1, workshops), maintain technical documentation.
• Engage in weekly technical reviews with hosting-site (HS/HLST) teams.
• Collaborate with the upcoming Support QPU Engineer, creating a "Q. support cell."
• Work closely with Algo, Software, Product, and Sales teams inside Quandela.
• (Channel structured feedback from users to R&D/Product)

How you'll grow:

• 0-3 months: onboarded on ticketing and HS workflows; handle simple tickets; draft first documentation; run initial training.
• 3-6 months: established as trusted SPOC; deliver clear docs; identify recurring pain points; propose fixes.
• 6-12 months: move from reactive support to proactive enablement: organize workshops, animate user community, propose KPIs and practices for the support cell

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Profile We Value?

Proven track record in application or user support, ideally gained outside of a purely academic environment.

> Must-have:

• Advanced Python (backbone of Merlin/Perceval and the scripts you'll debug daily).
• Familiarity with at least one quantum framework (Qiskit, Perceval, Cirq, etc.).
• Strong debugging and documentation rigor
• Ability to explain technical issues clearly to researchers
• Professional English + conversational French (daily work with CEA and Quandela teams).

> Important (can grow, but appetite needed):

• Basics in HPC or applied maths/QML to follow user problems.
• First exposure to training, or appetite for it.

> Bonus Points:

• Experience in EuroHPC, Tier-1 Data Center/HPC, CNRS/CEA, or other infrastructures
• Prior exposure to our quantum software ecosystems (Merlin/Perceval is a plus, but learnable).

>> Backgrounds that could fit ?

For this role, we're looking for candidates with an engineering background or a PHD/Master's degree combined with the ability to grow in a complex industry environment. We particularly value profiles such as :

• HPC / Application Support Engineers - 2 to 5 years of experience in high-performance computing centers or large-scale computing environments, ideally within private or industrial contexts, with direct exposure to end users
• Researchers in applied mathematics, computer science, or physics - who have transitioned into client-facing roles, typically holding a PhD or postdoc plus at least 2 years of relevant experience. Experience in private companies or through collaborations with external clients is highly valued
• Engineers from research infrastructures (e.g., EuroHPC, CNRS, CERN) - with 2 to 5 years of experience in multidisciplinary support contexts, and a proven ability to interact with diverse user groups. Previous work in private-sector settings and/or at the client interface is a major asset

Benefits

What We Offer: Salary: €45-60k depending on scope:

• 45k: strong support experience, ready to grow.
• 50-55k: autonomous, can handle complex issues.
• 60k+: senior, able to contribute to community and product feedback.

Profit-sharing & company savings plan.

100% health coverage (Alan), Swile meal vouchers, transport/mobility support.

A Final Word on 'Support' !

At Quandela, support is not a back-office function. It is where science meets reality.

As a Support Engineer, you are the bridge between pioneering researchers and a working quantum machine. The algorithms you help run will shape both today's experiments and tomorrow's roadmap.

Support here means:

• Giving researchers confidence their ideas can be tested and scaled.
• Protecting the value of a national quantum investment.
• Connecting the dots between users, R&D, and product evolution.

It's strategic, it's vital and it's the kind of support that defines whether Europe succeeds in quantum computing adoption. So ... If you're ready to turn quantum promise into real impact for researchers across Europe, let's talk 😁