Senior Research Scientist, Optical System Simulation, Quantum AI

Google

Goleta, CA

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Acoustics, Analysis Skills, Architectural Design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science, Conferences, Data Analysis, Data Mining, Data Modeling, Deep Learning, Delivery Management, Diffraction, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Forecasting, Leadership, Linear Models, Market Research, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Numerical Analysis, Optics, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Physics, Process Improvement, Prototyping, Quantum Computing, Scientific Publications, Scientific Research, Simulation, Software Development, Software Prototyping, Software Simulation, Systems Analysis, Team Player, Time Management
LOCATION
Goleta, CA
POSTED
30+ days ago
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
The application window will be open until at least April 8, 2026. This opportunity will remain online based on business needs which may be before or after the specified date.
Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Goleta, CA, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mountain View, CA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA; Boulder, CO, USA.

Minimum qualifications:

  • PhD degree in Physics, Engineering, or other technical field or equivalent practical experience.
  • 2 years of experience leading a research agenda.
  • Experience with modeling and simulation of optical systems.
  • Experience developing software for numerical simulation, modeling, or data analysis.
  • One or more scientific publication submission(s) for conferences, journals, or public repositories (such as Physical Review, AAAS, Nature and npj, etc.).

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with modeling and simulation of optical modulation, diffractive optics, nonlinear optics, and acousto-optics.
  • Experience with modeling of complex linear optics systems.
  • Experience with simulation and modeling of acoustics.
  • Experience in working in an interdisciplinary team.

About the job

As an organization, Google maintains a portfolio of research projects driven by fundamental research, new product innovation, product contribution and infrastructure goals, while providing individuals and teams the freedom to emphasize specific types of work. As a Research Scientist, you'll setup large-scale tests and deploy promising ideas quickly and broadly, managing deadlines and deliverables while applying the latest theories to develop new and improved products, processes, or technologies. From creating experiments and prototyping implementations to designing new architectures, our research scientists work on real-world problems that span the breadth of computer science, such as machine (and deep) learning, data mining, natural language processing, hardware and software performance analysis, improving compilers for mobile platforms, as well as core search and much more.

As a Research Scientist, you'll also actively contribute to the wider research community by sharing and publishing your findings, with ideas inspired by internal projects as well as from collaborations with research programs at partner universities and technical institutes all over the world.

As a Research Scientist for Modeling and Simulation, you will be a pivotal contributor in analyzing and forecasting the potential capabilities of quantum computers. In this specific role, you will be responsible for the modeling and simulation of the generation and manipulation of complex optical fields used by neutral atom processors to control individual atoms. Furthermore, you will be responsible for developing software prototypes for the simulation and analysis that will be integrated into a larger simulation workflow to simulate end-to-end performance of neutral atom quantum computers.

The full potential of quantum computing will be unlocked with a large-scale computer capable of complex, error-corrected computations. Google Quantum AI's mission is to build this computer and unlock solutions to classically intractable problems. Our roadmap is focused on advancing the capabilities of quantum computing and enabling meaningful applications.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $174,000-$252,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

  • Develop optical, acoustic, and material models to understand errors and imperfections in beam steering for atom array control.
  • Develop models that capture important aberrations of linear optics systems used to create trapping potentials in neutral atom quantum computers. 
  • Develop software for numerical simulation and analysis of optical systems.
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

About the Company

G

Google

Build for everyone

Since our founding in 1998, Google has grown by leaps and bounds. Starting from two computer science students in a university dorm room, we now have thousands of employees and offices around the world. These Googlers build products that help create opportunities for everyone, whether down the street or across the globe.

It starts with how we work together. We’re building a company where people of different views, backgrounds and experiences can do their best work and show up for one another. A place where every Googler feels like they belong.

So whether you develop new technology or creative campaigns, craft beautiful products or breakthrough partnerships, your work here is a chance to accomplish things that matter. Bring your insight, imagination, and healthy disregard for the impossible. Bring everything that makes you unique. Together, we can build for everyone.

Benefits

We strive to provide Googlers and their loved ones with a world-class benefits experience, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Our benefits are based on data, and centered around our users: Googlers and their families. They’re thoughtfully designed to enhance your health and wellbeing, and generous enough to make it easy for you to take good care of yourself (now, and in the future). So we can build for everyone, together.

Learn more about Google’s benefits on this site featuring Googlers’ experience.

How we Hire

Google’s hiring process is an important part of our culture. Googlers care deeply about their teams and the people who make them up. In order to  build for everyone, we know that we need a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step in getting there.

Learn more about our hiring process.

COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Computer Software
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Paid Sick Days, Performance Bonus, Professional Development, 401K, Stock Options, Employee Events, Retirement / Pension Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Work From Home, Life Insurance, On Site Cafeteria
FOUNDED
1998
WEBSITE
https://goo.gle/4dbno6V