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Volunteer Quantum Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Head of Engineering

Walnut Creek, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

... VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, Gaussian, NWChem, Siesta, or similar) is not required but is a plus ... Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) * Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) * Short ...

Head of Engineering

Walnut Creek, CA ยท On-site +1

$130K - $200K/yr

... VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, Gaussian, NWChem, Siesta, or similar) is not required but is a plus ... Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) * Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) * Short ...

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Volunteer Quantum Engineering information

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How much do volunteer quantum engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer quantum engineering in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Volunteer Quantum Engineering vs Volunteer Quantum Computing Specialist?

AspectVolunteer Quantum EngineeringVolunteer Quantum Computing Specialist
Required CredentialsBasic knowledge of quantum principles, engineering skillsKnowledge of quantum algorithms, programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, educational settings, nonprofit projectsResearch institutions, tech companies, educational programs
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research centers, nonprofit organizationsTech firms, startups, research institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Volunteer Quantum Engineering focuses on designing and building quantum systems, requiring engineering skills and foundational quantum knowledge. Volunteer Quantum Computing Specialists primarily work on developing and testing quantum algorithms, often needing programming expertise. Both roles are common in research and educational settings, but they emphasize different skill sets and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Volunteer Quantum Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Quantum Engineer, you typically need a background in physics, mathematics, or engineering, with foundational knowledge of quantum mechanics and linear algebra. Familiarity with quantum programming languages (like Qiskit or Cirq), simulation tools, and sometimes cloud-based quantum platforms is highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, curiosity, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for contributing meaningfully to research and development in the rapidly evolving field of quantum technology.

What types of projects do Volunteer Quantum Engineers typically contribute to, and how are tasks assigned within the team?

Volunteer Quantum Engineers often assist with research, algorithm development, simulation, or educational outreach projects. Tasks are usually assigned based on each volunteer's expertise and interest, with team leads coordinating efforts to ensure meaningful contributions. Volunteers frequently collaborate with researchers, software developers, and sometimes students, using platforms like GitHub or Slack to communicate progress. This collaborative structure not only supports project goals but also provides learning and networking opportunities for volunteers.

What are Volunteer Quantum Engineers?

Volunteer Quantum Engineers are individuals who offer their expertise in quantum computing and engineering without monetary compensation, often contributing to research projects, open-source initiatives, or educational outreach. They typically have backgrounds in physics, engineering, computer science, or related fields, and they help advance quantum technologies by collaborating with academic or non-profit organizations. Their work can include developing algorithms, running simulations, or assisting in public science communication. Volunteering in this field allows participants to gain hands-on experience, connect with experts, and contribute to the advancement of quantum science.
More about Volunteer Quantum Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Volunteer Quantum Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Volunteer Quantum Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Quantum Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Quantum Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Volunteer Quantum Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Volunteer Quantum Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Volunteer Quantum Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Volunteer Quantum Engineering jobs are:
NIST PREP Research Associate for Analysis of Quantum Network Protocols

NIST PREP Research Associate for Analysis of Quantum Network Protocols

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD โ€ข On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: Development of a control plane for quantum networking and a quantum network routing simulator for analysis of quantum network protocols
U.S. Citizen Preferred
The work will entail: This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Develop a scalable quantum network routing simulator with abstractions to different technologies of quantum repeaters and quantum memory.
  • Develop a scalable control plane for quantum networking that will interface with the simulator.
  • Design and conduct simulations for different entanglement distribution protocols, comparing the results with theoretical models.
  • Provide high-quality simulation measurements to the project modeling team for analysis.
  • Maintain a detailed log of all simulation activities.
  • Share research findings through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and presentations.

Qualifications:
  • An advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in computer science or a related field is required.
  • Candidates should have research experience in one or more of the following areas: networking protocols design and evaluation, distributed systems design, systems programming, IP protocol stack, next generation network technologies (e.g. Named Data Networking), wide-area network measurements.
  • A solid understanding of entanglement concepts and their distribution, quantum memory decoherence models, mathematics, instrumentation, and advanced timing systems is essential.
  • Advanced Programming skills for equipment control are required, with proficiency in languages such as Rust or C/C++. Low-level programming skills for FPGAs and high-performance Ethernet adapters (e.g. eBPF or Data Plane Development Kit) used for low latency communications for synchronization in the entanglement layer are also necessary.
  • U.S. Citizen is preferred.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. ยง 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. ยง 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
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