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QuantumDiamonds is a deep-tech company founded in 2022 as a spin-off from TU Munich, building commercial quantum sensing tools for semiconductor inspection and failure analysis. The company has grown to over 70 employees and is backed by top-tier deep tech investors.
As a Quantum Sensing Engineer (NV Centers), you will join the Hardware Pre-Development Team and take technical ownership of the sensing core of the Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM). Your primary focus is answering: how do we get more performance out of the NV sensing system?
You will work across the complete sensing chain—from the diamond sensor and laser excitation through microwave spin control and bias magnetics to fluorescence collection and camera readout. When sensitivity, resolution, speed, or stability falls short, you will investigate the system end-to-end, identify limiting mechanisms, and drive measurable improvements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own the end-to-end NV sensing chain of the QDM, from laser excitation and diamond sensor through microwave spin control, bias field, fluorescence collection, and camera readout
- Develop and benchmark measurement protocols (ODMR variants, pulsed sequences, lock-in and referencing schemes) that improve sensitivity, speed, and robustness
- Prototype hardware improvements across microwave delivery, photon collection, bias magnetics, and timing, validating concepts hands-on in the lab
- Steer diamond sensor R&D by providing technical direction to material/process experts and driving recipe optimizations for NV-layer epitaxy, irradiation, annealing, surface preparation, and optical coatings
- Define diamond specifications, characterize new material generations (NV density, contrast, coherence, strain), and correlate material parameters with system performance
- Collaborate across hardware and software teams, document findings, and hand over validated technologies to the Product Development Team
This is a hands-on R&D role spanning quantum physics, experimental hardware, and sensor development, taking ideas from first principles through experiments and prototypes to validated technologies for product transfer.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in Physics, Quantum Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field, typically with a PhD or equivalent hands-on experience with NV centers or closely related quantum sensing platform
- Deep understanding of NV physics: ODMR, optical spin polarization and readout, magnetometry protocols, and how they set practical sensitivity limits
- Systems-level thinking and solid working knowledge of optics and electronics around a quantum sensing experiment; ability to troubleshoot across domain boundaries to root cause
- Working understanding of how diamond growth, doping, irradiation, annealing, and coatings shape NV properties, or drive to build this expertise quickly
- Ability to steer recipe development with partners: defining specifications, designing characterization campaigns, turning results into process improvements
- Confident use of Python for experiment control, automation, and data analysis
- Strong communication and documentation skills, comfortable in fast-paced multidisciplinary team; working language is English
NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience with widefield NV magnetometry or camera-based quantum imaging
- Familiarity with semiconductor failure analysis, inspection, or metrology
- Hands-on experience with CVD diamond growth, irradiation and annealing, or thin-film optical coatings
