Manager, Quantum Processor Development

About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced, technically accomplished and people-focused Manager, Quantum Processor Development. In this role, you will lead and support a world-class team of processor development scientists who have delivered six generations of progressively powerful annealing quantum computers. This is a hands-on leadership role at the intersection of cutting-edge quantum hardware development and people-focused management.

You will report to the Director, Science and work closely with other technical leads, project management and people managers within Processor Development and adjacent teams. Your responsibilities will span strategic planning, technical direction, team well-being and development, and scientific mentorship.

The Processor Development team is creative, driven, and highly collaborative. They value continuous, interconnected learning, and mutual support. You will play a key role in shaping both the technology and the team culture that sustains and inspires the team to drive our quantum computing platform forward.

What you'll do

Team Leadership & Development 

• Lead and mentor a team of experimental physicists, fostering a culture of technical excellence, creativity, and collaboration. 
• Work with your team to set goals, provide timely feedback, and support the professional development of each team member. 
• Work with your team, and program and product management to scope projects that are both ambitious and achievable, balancing scientific innovation with realistic, sustainable goals. 
• Partner with HR and senior leadership to support functions such as recruitment, strategic planning, and budgeting. 
• Champion a culture of inclusion, integrity, accountability, and open scientific inquiry that welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences. 
• Identify skills gaps and growth opportunities within the team to meet evolving organizational needs. 
• Foster a learning mindset, ensuring individuals have the resources and mentorship to grow with the company. 

Cross-functional Collaboration 

• Collaborate closely with teams across hardware engineering, cryogenics, fabrication, software, quantum applications and product management to ensure seamless integration and operation, including identifying areas of process improvement. 
• Encourage collaborative problem-solving across disciplines, building mutual understanding and respect between technical groups. 
• Regularly connect the team's scientific goals with the company's broader mission to maintain shared purpose. 
• Guide your team through root cause analysis of complex, interdisciplinary systems issues, in collaboration with expertise from other teams. 
• Communicate team priorities and progress to internal stakeholders and senior leadership. 

Innovation & Technology Development 

• Develop a solid understanding of D-Wave's superconducting processor technology and use that understanding to guide prioritization and resource allocation. 
• Balance short-term objectives with long-term innovation and research curiosity. 
• Stay up to date with the relevant competitive landscape and academic research; help to evaluate relevant scientific and technological advancements to support product decisions. 
• Contribute to technical work, patents, internal and external publications, and conference presentations. 
• Foster a culture of innovation, encouraging team members to propose, experiment with, and evaluate new ideas, and recognize and celebrate creative risk-taking and scientific exploration.  
• Participate in or lead hands-on experimental work as needed, bringing a systems-level perspective to technical challenges. 

Strategic and Operational Excellence  

• Partner with program management to identify and manage risks in project execution.  
• Identify and manage risks in resource planning and team operations.  
• Support roadmap development and contribute to long-term technical strategy.  
• Ensure strategic decisions reflect both technical priorities and the sustained growth and health of the team. 

About You

• Graduate degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline or equivalent research experience. 
• 8+ years of experience working in an advanced technology setting.
• 5+ years of experience leading scientific or technical teams in an industrial R&D environment. 
• Demonstrated success managing teams or research projects involving multidisciplinary collaboration. 
• Strong mentoring skills, with demonstrated success in developing early-career researchers. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy while fostering inclusion, trust, and mutual respect.  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Skilled at translating complex ideas into shared understanding across teams. 
• Strong background in experimental methods, such as cryogenic measurement techniques, RF systems, and control electronics. 
• Proficiency in programming for experimental automation and data analysis; experience with Lisp or equivalent is a plus. 
• Outstanding problem-solving skills with a systems-level mindset. 
• Approaches challenges with curiosity, scientific rigor, and openness to new perspectives. 

Bonus if

• Industry experience in quantum computing, superconducting circuits, or experimental condensed matter physics.
• Familiarity with device fabrication processes and cryogenic systems integration. 
• Experience with standard software engineering practices. 

A D-Waver's DNA

• We look at the future and say "why not"; we see possibilities where others see problems or routines. We show the way ahead and are committed to achieving ambitious goals.
• We practice straight talk and listen generously to each other with empathy. We value different opinions and points of views. We ensure that we connect outside as well as inside to learn from others and inspire each other.
• We hold ourselves accountable for delivering results. We make decisions & take responsibility so that we can act & support each other.
• As leaders we motivate & engage our teams to undertake beyond what they originally thought possible, by developing our teams & creating the conditions for people to grow and empower themselves through enabling & coaching.

Our Compensation Philosophy is Simple but Powerful:

We believe providing D-Wavers with company ownership, competitive pay, and a range of meaningful benefits is the start of creating a culture where people want to give the best they've got — not because they're simply making money, but because they've fallen in love with our vision, mission, values, and team. 

During the interview process, your Recruiter will review our total rewards (base, equity, bonus, perks, benefit, culture) offerings. The final offer is determined by your proficiencies within this level.   

Inclusion: 

We celebrate diverse perspectives to drive innovation in our pursuit. Our employees range from distinguished domain experts with decades of experience in their respective fields, to bright and motivated graduates eager to make their mark. Our diverse and innovative team will make you feel appreciated, supported and empower your career growth at D-Wave.

The Fine Print: 

No 3rd party candidates will be accepted

It is D-Wave Systems Inc. policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, local law. 

The base pay range for this role is:

134, ,364 CAD per year (Burnaby)