--- title: 'Expert Optimal Control Scientist at Alice & Bob' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/expert-optimal-control-scientist-alice-bob-paris-9eb1vgnexhmq' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Expert Optimal Control Scientist at Alice & Bob - **Company:** Alice & Bob - **Location:** Paris, France - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-08-20 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/alice-bob/1c8b9d64-bccf-480c-9253-77c1ab6a962b ## Job description Alice & Bob is developing the first universal, fault-tolerant quantum computer to solve the world’s hardest problems. The quantum computer we envision building is based on a new kind of superconducting qubit: the Schrödinger cat qubit 🐈‍⬛. In comparison to other superconducting platforms, cat qubits have the astonishing ability to implement quantum error correction autonomously! We're a diverse team of 250+ brilliant minds from over 35 countries united by a single goal: to revolutionise computing with a practical fault-tolerant quantum machine. Are you ready to take on unprecedented challenges and contribute to revolutionising technology? Join us, and let's shape the future of quantum computing together! ## About the Mission Control is one of the decisive levers for how well this platform performs. The way a qubit is driven, stabilized, and read out determines how close the hardware gets to its theoretical limits. That is where this role sits. ## About the Role As an Expert Optimal Control Scientist, you will design and optimize the control strategies that maximize gate fidelity, state preparation, and measurement on the cat-qubit platform — operating point selection, pulse shaping, feedback stabilization, and quantum error correction optimization, among others. ## About You You'll report to the Team Lead, Control, and work closely with Chip Design, Performance Optimization, Calibration, and QEC to turn control-theoretic methods into measurable platform improvements — from simulation to deployment and iteration on real cat-qubit chips. ## Responsibilities Design and optimize quantum control strategies - Develop pulse-shaping and feedback stabilization schemes to maximize gate fidelity - Apply control and stabilization methods to the cat-qubit platform Model and validate control solutions in simulation - Build numerical models and simulations to test control strategies at scale - Validate performance and robustness before deployment on hardware Collaborate on hardware implementation - Work with experimentalists and technical teams to implement control solutions - Support testing and iteration of control strategies on the platform through to full delivery in production Advance the company's control-theory knowledge and toolkit - Provide a clear view of the state of the art for qubit control - Strengthen the mathematical foundations underpinning control design ## Requirements - 4+ years of research experience in control theory or a related domain, post-PhD in applied mathematics, control theory, physics, or a closely related field - Strong foundation in mathematical control theory (model-based and model-free optimal control, controllability, and reinforcement learning) - Experience with control of dynamical systems - Numerical modeling and simulation skills, with experience in scientific computing - Familiarity with data-driven control methods and reachability analysis - Ability to translate theoretical methods into applied, measurable engineering outcomes - Strong collaboration skills across research, software, and hardware teams - Rigorous and autonomous, with the ability to communicate complex results clearly - Professional-level English proficiency, both written and spoken Recruitment Process - Screening Call with Grace, Talent Acquisition Specialist (30 min) - Hiring Manager Interview with Gaspard (45 min) - Technical Interview with the Team (60 min) - Leadership Team Interview (30 min) - Fit Interview (45 min) - Reference check Benefits: - Our success is your success: own it with our BSPCE plan - Direct IP Compensation: Earn substantial bonuses for driving the core patents that define our quantum architecture. - Flexible remote policy, up to 40 % a month - A Parental plan including additional benefits such as crèche support or additional days-off to take care of under 12 years old children - Subsidized membership with Urban Sports Club - Mental health support with moka.care - 25-day vacation policy (as per French law) + RTT - Half of transportation cost coverage (as per French law), or yearly allowance for the die-hard bicycle users - Competitive health coverage, with Alan. - Meal vouchers with Swile, as well as access to a fully equipped and regularly stocked kitchen - French language courses covered by the company for those interested Research shows that women might feel hesitant to apply for this job if they don't match 100% of the job requirements listed. This list is a guide, and we'd love to receive your application even if you think you're only a partial match. We are looking to build teams that innovate, not just tick boxes on a job spec. You will join of one of the most innovative startups in France at an early stage, to be part of a passionate and friendly team on its mission to build the first universal quantum computer! We love to share and learn from one another, so you will be certain to innovate, develop new ideas, and have the space to grow. ## About Alice & Bob ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Alice & Bob is a French quantum computing company designing superconducting cat qubits—a type of qubit inherently protected from bit-flip errors—to build a universal, fault-tolerant quantum computer. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series B–II) - **Headquarters**: Paris, France (with offices in Boston, MA) - **Founded**: 2020 - **Founders**: Dr. Raphaël Lescanne (CTO) and Dr. Théau Peronnin (CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Quantum computing hardware (superconducting circuits, cat qubit architecture) - **Target customers**: B2B – enterprises, research institutions, cloud providers, and government agencies - **Mission**: Build a useful quantum computer by pioneering error-corrected cat qubits that require 200× fewer physical qubits than competing platforms ## Products & Services - **Cat Qubit Chips**: Proprietary superconducting qubits with built-in bit-flip error protection. Generations include Boson, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, and Graphene. - **Quantum Computer (via Cloud)**: Remote access to cat-qubit‑based quantum hardware and emulators (e.g., Felis emulator distributed via OVHcloud, Equinix). - **The Box (Consulting)**: Business strategy division helping enterprises identify early quantum advantage opportunities and timelines. - **Open‑Source / Developer Tools**: Collaborations on NVQLink (GPU/QPU integration) and CUDA‑Q integration with NVIDIA. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metrics**: - **Total Funding**: ~€180 M ($166 M per CB Insights) as of June 2026 - **Annual Revenue**: $8 M (estimated, per Apollo) - **Employees**: 250+ (company website); Apollo reports 163 with +72% YoY growth - **Notable Investors**: NVIDIA (NVentures), Bpifrance, Elaia, Breega, Supernova Invest, Atlantic Vantage Point (AVP), Future French Champions, European Innovation Council - **Growth Signals**: - Series B closed at €100 M in January 2025; extended with NVIDIA investment in June 2026 - Grant funding from ARPA‑E, DARPA, and PROQCIMA (France) - Named to French Tech Next40 for second consecutive year (2026) - World‑record bit‑flip time >1 hour (up to 252 minutes) demonstrated in September 2025 - Published theoretical proof that cat‑qubit architecture needs ~200× fewer qubits for fault tolerance - 70+ core patents on cat qubits ## Competitive Advantages - **Cat qubit moat**: Only pure‑play company focused on cat qubits; qubits are inherently protected from bit‑flip errors, drastically reducing hardware overhead for error correction. - **Strong IP portfolio**: 70+ core patents covering cat qubit design and error correction. - **Ecosystem partnerships**: Close collaboration with NVIDIA (NVQLink, CUDA‑Q), Google Cloud, Riverlane, Classiq, OVHcloud, and Equinix. - **Scientific advisory board**: Includes renowned quantum physicists (Daniel Gottesman, David DiVincenzo, John Martinis, Yasunobu Nakamura) and leading French research institutions. ## Strategic Focus - Execute chip roadmap (Boson → Graphene) targeting 100 high‑fidelity logical qubits by 2030. - Scale from current lab‑scale systems to a universal, fault‑tolerant quantum computer. - Expand international presence: HQ in Paris, new 4,000 m² R&D facility under construction, Boston office, and remote team across 12+ countries. - Deepen integration with classical HPC through NVIDIA and cloud partnerships. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes pioneering spirit, cohesion, trustworthiness, and ingenuity. Regular team events (Monday breakfasts, Snacky Time, annual off‑site, hiking, Tech Cafés, Forum Day). - **Work policy**: Hybrid with up to 40% remote flexibility; relocation and visa support available. - **Compensation & perks**: Employee stock plan, 5 weeks holiday + RTT, 50% Navigo pass, meal vouchers (Swile), competitive healthcare (France & US), parental leave, 401k (US), language courses. - **Team**: 250+ people from 35 nationalities, 85 PhD holders. Engineering‑heavy (research & technical roles dominate). - **Recognition**: EgaPro index score of 54/100 (gender parity in progress); rated 4.0/5.0 on employer review sites. - **Growth trajectory**: High headcount growth (+72% YoY), active hiring (23 open positions as of mid‑2026, including experimental physicist, ML engineer, nanofabrication technician, etc.). ## Sources 1. [alice-bob.com/thats-us/](https://alice-bob.com/thats-us/) 2. [linkedin.com/company/alice-bob](https://linkedin.com/company/alice-bob) 3. [jobs.lever.co/alice-bob](https://jobs.lever.co/alice-bob) 4. [alice-bob.com/join-us/](https://alice-bob.com/join-us/) 5. [cbinsights.com/company/alicebob](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/alicebob) ## Other roles at Alice & Bob - [AI/Agentic Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-agentic-engineer-alice-bob-paris-9s6yqqh2vrjn) — Paris, France - [HR & Office Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/hr-office-manager-alice-bob-boston-vvjyht39vfqm) — Boston, MA - [3D Integration Engineer H/F](https://feeny.ai/job/3d-integration-engineer-h-f-alice-bob-aubervilliers-17p4hzwhj9ae) — Aubervilliers, France - [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-alice-bob-paris-n2rqfeb9xn6f) — Paris, France - [Expert Quantum Physicist](https://feeny.ai/job/expert-quantum-physicist-alice-bob-paris-a3e785x88y0r) — Paris, France - [Responsable Technique et Maintenance](https://feeny.ai/job/responsable-technique-et-maintenance-alice-bob-aubervilliers-jkmcy6npcb9k) — Aubervilliers, France - [Research Engineering Manager - Recalibration](https://feeny.ai/job/research-engineering-manager-recalibration-alice-bob-paris-acdcffwwg7jm) — Paris, France - [Quantum Compilation Scientist](https://feeny.ai/job/quantum-compilation-scientist-alice-bob-paris-vnnfry7e9q68) — Paris, France - [Senior MLOps Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mlops-engineer-alice-bob-paris-2z3yakdg4wa1) — Paris, France - [Senior Security Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-security-engineer-alice-bob-paris-tdrh46skgfrk) — Paris, France