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Assistant Quantum Physicist Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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Assistant Quantum Physicist information

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$36.8K

$88.3K

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How much do assistant quantum physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant quantum physicist in Texas is $88,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $104,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant quantum physicist do?

An Assistant Quantum Physicist supports senior researchers in conducting experiments and analyzing data related to quantum mechanics and quantum computing. Their responsibilities may include setting up laboratory equipment, running simulations, collecting and interpreting results, and assisting in the documentation of research findings. This role often serves as a stepping stone for those pursuing advanced degrees or careers in quantum physics, providing valuable hands-on experience in cutting-edge scientific research.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant quantum physicist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Quantum Physicist, you typically need a solid background in physics or a related field, often with a bachelor's or master's degree and experience in quantum mechanics. Familiarity with programming languages like Python, simulation tools such as MATLAB or QuTiP, and laboratory equipment for quantum experiments is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies enable you to contribute meaningful research, support complex experiments, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the typical challenges an assistant quantum physicist may face when transitioning from academic research to an industry setting?

Assistant Quantum Physicists often encounter the challenge of adapting to faster-paced project timelines and more outcome-driven goals in industry compared to academia. While academic research focuses on exploring theoretical concepts, industry roles prioritize practical solutions and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, such as engineers and software developers. Adjusting to this environment requires strong communication skills, flexibility, and an ability to integrate theoretical knowledge into real-world applications. Embracing continuous learning and being open to feedback are key to thriving in this transition.

What is the difference between Assistant Quantum Physicist vs Research Scientist in Quantum Physics?

AspectAssistant Quantum PhysicistResearch Scientist in Quantum Physics
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Physics or related fieldMaster's or PhD in Physics or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research institutions, universitiesResearch labs, academic institutions, industry R&D
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government labs, tech companiesResearch institutions, universities, corporate R&D

While both roles involve quantum physics research, an Assistant Quantum Physicist typically supports senior researchers and has less experience, often requiring a bachelor's or master's degree. A Research Scientist in Quantum Physics usually holds a PhD and leads independent research projects. The roles differ mainly in experience level, responsibilities, and qualifications, but both work in similar environments and industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Quantum Physicist jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Quantum Physicist jobs in Texas are:

What job categories do people searching Assistant Quantum Physicist jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant Quantum Physicist jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Assistant Quantum Physicist jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Assistant Quantum Physicist job openings:

Quantum Software Engineer (US)

Zapata, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

About the role
We are seeking a Quantum Software Engineer to build AI-powered tools that massively accelerate how quantum applications are designed and resource-estimated. You will fuse modern AI-LLMs, coding agents, and ML-based heuristics-with quantum circuit construction, compilation, and analysis, compressing workflows that currently take weeks of expert effort into hours. Your tooling will directly shape Zapata's ability to evaluate and deliver quantum solutions across cryptography, pharmaceuticals, finance, materials discovery, and defense.
This position offers a high level of individual ownership and is well-suited to engineers who are excited to push the frontier of AI-assisted scientific software within a small, focused team. You will partner closely with algorithm scientists and customers to understand their design and resource-estimation workflows, then build tools that turn those workflows into automated, scalable pipelines. This position is classified as exempt under applicable wage and hour laws.
What you'll do
  • Design and build AI-powered tools that accelerate quantum application design-from problem intake through algorithm selection, circuit construction, and validation
  • Develop automated resource estimation pipelines that use LLMs and ML models to rapidly predict qubit counts, gate counts, and runtime for candidate quantum solutions
  • Build agentic workflows that orchestrate quantum SDKs, compilation passes, simulators, and analysis tools
  • Integrate state-of-the-art AI coding assistants and LLM APIs directly into internal scientific tooling to compress expert-led workflows into automated pipelines
  • Benchmark and continuously improve the accuracy, speed, and reliability of AI-driven tooling against expert-curated baselines
  • Collaborate closely with quantum algorithm scientists to capture their reasoning and encode it into reusable AI-driven tools
  • Deliver high-quality software with minimal supervision, demonstrating autonomy in execution and technical decision-making

Qualifications
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals, including testing, code review, and CI/CD practices
  • BS or MS in Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
  • Demonstrated experience shipping software that leverages LLMs, AI agents, or other machine learning components
  • Proficient programming skills in Python, with working knowledge of modern LLM APIs (Anthropic, OpenAI, or equivalent) and tool-use / function-calling patterns
  • Deep familiarity with AI-assisted development workflows (Claude Code, Cursor, or similar) and a drive to use them to massively accelerate your own output and that of the team
  • Familiarity with quantum computing concepts and a willingness to learn quantum algorithms and resource estimation in depth
  • Ability to work independently and manage deliverables with minimal oversight
  • Strong judgment about when to apply AI and when not to
  • A commitment to measuring tool quality against expert baselines

Desired Programming Skills
  • Python - for tooling, scientific code, and LLM-powered applications
  • LLM APIs and tool-use / function-calling patterns (Anthropic, OpenAI, or similar)
  • Agent frameworks and orchestration (LangGraph, pydantic-ai, or custom harnesses)
  • Quantum SDKs (Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, or similar) for scripting design and estimation workflows
  • AI-assisted development (e.g., Claude Code)
  • Git and modern CI/CD tooling
  • Evals and benchmark design for AI systems
  • Software testing frameworks (pytest, hypothesis)
  • NumPy, SciPy, and the scientific Python stack
  • Retrieval-augmented generation and vector databases
  • Containerization (Docker) and cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
  • Prompt Engineering

Preferred Experience
  • Demonstrated experience shipping software that leverages LLMs, AI agents, or other machine learning components
  • Experience building developer tools, scientific workflows, or research automation that leverages AI to speed up expert work
  • Strong communication skills and comfort collaborating across research and engineering teams

About Zapata Quantum
Zapata Quantum is shaping the future of quantum computing: setting the standards for what's viable, valuable, and worth building. The Company powers quantum applications across cryptography, pharmaceuticals, finance, materials discovery, defense, and beyond, translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact.
Zapata is the only organization to have contributed across every technical area of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking program, giving it a uniquely comprehensive view of what it takes to make quantum computing work in practice. Now restructured and sharply focused, Zapata Quantum stands alone as the only publicly traded, pure-play quantum software company fully dedicated to unlocking quantum's commercial potential.
We're rebuilding at a pivotal moment for the industry-bringing together a team that will help define how quantum delivers value in the real world, with the opportunity for meaningful ownership as we shape the commercial path forward.