Senior Project Manager - Quantum Research

Quandela is a global leader in quantum computing, designing, building, and delivering cutting-edge quantum solutions for research and industry. Its offerings include the most energy-efficient quantum computers for data centers, full-stack quantum computing solutions accessible via the cloud, and algorithm access services for academic and industrial customers. Following a pragmatic, step-by-step roadmap, Quandela has been deploying industrial-grade systems since 2023 while developing future generations of fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of scaling through the integration of thousands of photonic components. Quandela is committed to making quantum computing accessible to all in order to address the most complex industrial and societal challenges. Learn more at: Quandela | Leading Photonic Quantum Computing Solutions About the Role We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager – Advanced Technology Programs to lead large-scale, strategic technology and R&D programs involving multiple technical disciplines, internal teams and external partners. You will operate at the intersection of technology, engineering and program execution, turning ambitious technical objectives into structured and executable programs. You will coordinate programs involving disciplines such as quantum physics, integrated photonics, semiconductor technologies, electronics, optics, hardware engineering, software and algorithms, while ensuring alignment between technical performance, schedule, resources, budget and contractual commitments. We are particularly interested in candidates who have managed large and technically complex programs in demanding engineering environments such as space, aerospace, defense or semiconductors, where successful delivery requires coordinating multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, industrial partners, research organizations and institutional stakeholders across several countries. This is a senior individual contributor / program leadership position requiring both technical credibility and strong execution capabilities. You will not be expected to be the scientific expert on every topic, but you must be able to understand complex technical dependencies, challenge assumptions, structure decisions and create the conditions for engineering teams to deliver. Key responsabilities ** Lead Complex Technology Projects Take end-to-end ownership of strategic R&D and technology projects, from initial framing through development, integration, validation and final delivery. Translate high-level scientific, product or business ambitions into clear program objectives, work packages, milestones, interfaces and measurable deliverables. Develop and maintain integrated project plans covering scope, schedule, resources, budget, dependencies and critical paths. Establish program governance and ensure effective decision-making across technical teams and senior stakeholders. Monitor progress against milestones and proactively identify deviations, bottlenecks and dependencies requiring management attention. Drive recovery plans when projects deviate from their original objectives, including prioritization, resource reallocation, scope adjustment or technical replanning. ** Manage Technical complexity & interfaces Coordinate multidisciplinary teams spanning quantum physics, photonics, semiconductor technologies, optics, electronics, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, software and algorithms. Work closely with technical leads to identify critical interfaces and dependencies between subsystems and workstreams. Challenge project assumptions and ensure that technical decisions are translated into clear consequences for performance, schedule, cost and risk. Support the transition from research and scientific proof-of-concept to engineering development, prototyping, integration, qualification and demonstrators. Ensure that technical maturity, integration readiness and project risks are visible and understood at program level. ** Coordinate Internal & External Stakeholders Act as a central coordination point between Quandela teams, industrial partners, suppliers, research institutions and institutional stakeholders. Lead technical and programmatic exchanges involving stakeholders with different scientific, engineering and business perspectives. Coordinate activities across multiple teams, organizations, sites and countries, ensuring clear ownership and effective information flow. Manage expectations and commitments with external partners while protecting Quandela's technical, contractual and strategic interests. Prepare and lead program reviews, steering committees and executive-level project updates. ** Risk, Budget & Delivery Management Establish and maintain structured risk and opportunity management, including technical, schedule, supply-chain, financial and organizational risks. Own or contribute to program budgets, resource forecasts and capacity planning. Define and monitor relevant KPIs covering delivery, technical maturity, cost, schedule and risk. Anticipate critical-path issues and implement mitigation plans before they impact major milestones. Create a strong culture of accountability, transparency and fact-based decision-making across programs. ** Governance, contracts & compliance Ensure high-quality program documentation, traceability and reporting. Coordinate contractual deliverables and reporting for strategic partnerships and publicly funded programs where applicable. Work with relevant internal stakeholders on IP, confidentiality, export-control, security and contractual matters. Contribute to improving Quandela's project and program management methodologies as the organization scales. Requirements Education You have graduated from a top-tier engineering school or university in engineering, physics or another relevant scientific or technical discipline. A PhD in physics, photonics, quantum technologies, semiconductor technologies or a related engineering field is a strong asset, particularly when combined with substantial industrial program-management experience. Experience You bring approximately 10+ years of professional experience, including significant responsibility for complex technology or engineering programs. You have demonstrated experience leading large-scale, multidisciplinary projects with significant technical complexity, multiple interfaces and demanding delivery objectives. Experience in one or several of the following industries is particularly relevant: • Space / aerospace • Defense • Semiconductors / microelectronics • Advanced photonics or optics • Complex scientific instrumentation • Other high-tech environments combining hardware, software and advanced engineering You have worked with multidisciplinary and international stakeholders, including engineering teams, scientists, suppliers, industrial partners, research institutions and/or public organizations. You can demonstrate concrete examples of programs for which you managed significant scope, budget, resources, milestones, risks and external dependencies. Technical & Program Management Capabilities You have sufficient technical depth to understand complex engineering discussions, challenge project assumptions and identify critical technical dependencies without replacing subject-matter experts. You are comfortable managing projects from early-stage R&D through engineering development, prototyping, integration and validation. You have strong command of project/program management practices including WBS, planning, critical-path management, risk management, resource planning, budget management, change management and project governance. Experience with PMI/PMP, PRINCE2, Agile or hybrid methodologies is valued, but demonstrated delivery experience matters more than certification alone. Experience with publicly funded, governmental or collaborative R&D programs is an advantage. Previous quantum-computing experience is not mandatory. Experience in quantum technologies, photonics or semiconductor technologies would nevertheless be a strong asset. Leadership & Mindset You combine a strong engineering mindset with the ability to operate at program and strategic level. You are comfortable challenging senior technical stakeholders while maintaining constructive and fact-based discussions. You know how to bring structure to environments where technical uncertainty is high and not all answers are available at the beginning of a project. You can distinguish between issues requiring deep technical investigation and those requiring pragmatic decisions to maintain momentum. You communicate effectively with both highly specialized technical teams and executive stakeholders. You are comfortable operating in an international, multidisciplinary and rapidly growing deeptech environment. Professional fluency in English is required. Benefits • Flexible working environment, with the position primarily based at our Massy (Paris-Saclay) office to support close collaboration with the teams. • Profit-sharing and a company savings plan. • Annual sustainable mobility bonus for eco-friendly transport (e-bike, electric car). • Fully covered health insurance (Alan). • Referral program (€1,000 for a junior and €2,000 for an experienced candidate) • Subsidy for gym membership and sports activities (Gymlib). • Meal subsidies (Swile). Process • Talent Acquisition Interview (45') • Hiring Managers Interviews (45' - 60') • Reference checks • Technical discussion and presentation of previous technical project management work • Offer Beyond That: At Quandela, we value intellectual diversity, curiosity and initiative. If you're passionate about quantum algorithms, fault-tolerant quantum computing and the future of large-scale quantum applications, we'd love to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed requirement. 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