Project Manager

At IQM, we build world-leading quantum computers for the well-being of humankind. We design systems to tackle computational challenges beyond the practical limits of classical machines. Our work sits at the edge of science and engineering. It's complex, demanding, and deeply collaborative. We turn deep research into reliable, full-stack systems that drive discoveries in fields like medicine, energy, and technology, reshaping how the world computes.

Join the team that gives quantum a heartbeat.

The work

As Project Manager, you'll take technical and R&D projects in quantum technology from plan to delivery. Quantum hardware projects rarely run in a straight line, so your job is to keep scope, budget, and milestones under control while the science keeps moving. You're the operational anchor: the person who sees the whole picture, spots the risk before it becomes a delay, and keeps everyone pointed at the same goal.

You'll join our Program Management team and work daily with work package leads, subsystem engineers, product management, grant managers, partnership managers, and colleagues in Finance and Operations. You'll focus on our German publicly funded programmes, owning the reporting to the funding agencies and the direct contact with them.

In your first six months, you'll have full ownership of your projects, a working rhythm your technical leads trust, and progress that is visible to everyone who needs it.

What you’ll actually do

• Plan and run projects end to end: work breakdown, schedules, dependencies, and milestones

• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, product, finance, and external partners

• Keep the weekly rhythm going: project meetings, status reviews, and clear follow ups

• Track progress, tasks, and deliverables in Jira and Confluence so everyone sees the same picture

• Spot risks, delays, and resourcing gaps early, then drive the fix instead of reporting the problem

• Keep budget, milestones, and reporting transparent for internal steering and leadership

• Turn technical progress into clear updates that non-specialist audiences can follow

• Prepare reports for public funders and keep projects aligned with contractual and funding requirements

• Work with technical leads to align timelines and interdependencies across work packages

• Improve how we run projects: templates, trackers, and ways of working that scale as we grow

• Support the internal process for selecting, approving, and initiating new grant projects

What we’re looking for

• A degree in engineering, physics, project management, or a related field. Equivalent experience counts just as much

• 3+ years in project management or project coordination, ideally in high-tech, deep-tech, or research driven organizations. More experience is welcome, and we scope the role to the level you bring

• Experience in grant management, research administration, or collaborative R&D coordination in high-tech or scientific environments in Germany, with German funding agencies and ministries such as BMFTR (formerly BMBF) or DLR Projektträger

• Hands-on skills in work breakdown, scheduling, and dependency mapping

• Experience running projects in Jira and Confluence, plus solid documentation habits

• Comfort with ambiguity and iterative R&D work, where plans change and answers arrive late

• A clear communication style that adapts to both technical and non-technical audiences

• The ability to align and motivate teams you don't line manage, and to mediate when priorities collide

• Professional level English, and German at C1 level

Seen as an advantage

• A project management certification such as PMP, IPMA, PRINCE2, or Agile/Scrum

• Experience with European programmes such as Horizon Europe

• Familiarity with quantum computing, semiconductors, cryogenics, other advanced quantum hardware R&D or quantum software and algorithm development

• Experience setting up project management practices or tools in a scaling organization

Why IQM?

• Full-stack quantum computing: From quantum hardware to software layers and beyond, we build across the full-stack.

• High-performance playground: We aim high, and we know sustainable performance only works when life outside work does too—hybrid setups, flexible hours.

• Never the smartest: You won’t always be the smartest person in the room. Neither will we. Expect to learn constantly - from each other and beyond with IQM’s Learning Hub, LinkedIn Learning, and a team-based L&D budget.

• Approachable leadership: Flat hierarchy, direct access. Feel free to approach any leaders. They're friendlier than they look!

• The sweet spot: Big enough to matter. Small enough to move fast. Growing between a startup and a corporation. We’re in the phase where top performers get noticed.

• Bigger than IQM: Our people build know-how for the entire quantum ecosystem. We publish papers, run hackathons, and help shape a market that's still being defined.

The future of computing won’t build itself. You might be one of the few who do.

• Meet our people and learn more about IQM on our stories page.

• Explore our scientific publications.

We'll start interviews and move forward with hiring as soon as we meet strong candidates. Please submit your application soon.

600M€+ Total Funding | 400+ Team Members | 30+ Quantum Computers Built | 300+ Patents Filed | 10 Locations Globally