GDS Next Frontier – Quantum Senior Associate - India

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. 

Discipline: GDS Enablement Services – Growth & Innovation

Role title: Quantum – Senior Associate

Position Summary:

The Quantum Senior Associate will play a hands-on delivery role across Quantum Technology initiatives, with stronger ownership for solution design, technical execution, stakeholder communication and delivery quality than an Associate role. The role requires practical experience in quantum-safe security and/or quantum computing, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business and delivery outcomes.

The role is expected to have a primary focus on quantum safety, including post-quantum cryptography readiness, and a secondary focus on quantum computing use cases such as optimization, machine learning and simulation.

Key responsibilities

• Support the development of quantum safety and quantum computing solutions, prototypes and demonstrations.
• Contribute to post-quantum cryptography readiness assessments, including data gathering, analysis and documentation.
• Develop and evaluate quantum algorithms and workflows for selected optimization, machine learning and simulation use cases.
• Build and maintain software tools, accelerators and proof-of-concept assets using established engineering practices.
• Prepare technical documentation, assessment reports and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including cybersecurity, AI/ML, platform engineering and product teams.
• Participate in testing, validation and benchmarking activities to assess solution performance and applicability.
• Stay current on developments in quantum computing, post-quantum cryptography and related emerging technologies.

Quantum Specialist Responsibilities:

• Quantum Cyber / Safety:
  • Support quantum risk assessments and identify areas that may require future cryptographic modernization.
  • Assist in prototyping and benchmarking post-quantum cryptography algorithms within applications and services.
  • Contribute to analysis of quantum-safe and hybrid cryptographic approaches and document findings.
  • Support development of crypto-inventory and discovery capabilities to identify legacy cryptography dependencies.
  • Execute testing of hybrid key exchange mechanisms and document performance observations.
  • Assist with implementation and validation of crypto-agility patterns, certificate updates and key management enhancements.
  • Contribute to creation and maintenance of migration guides, standards documentation and operational runbooks.

• Quantum Compute & Algorithms:
  • Develop and evaluate quantum algorithms using industry-standard quantum development platforms.
  • Support experimentation and testing to assess the practicality of quantum use cases.
  • Build proof-of-concept solutions for optimization, simulation and emerging Quantum + AI use cases.
  • Perform basic resource estimation and analysis of quantum circuits and algorithm performance.
  • Compare classical and quantum approaches and document observations and recommendations.
  • Maintain reproducible experimentation environments using Python, Jupyter notebooks, containers and source control tools.

• Knowledge and Skills Requirements:
  • Foundational understanding of quantum computing concepts, including qubits, gates, quantum circuits and current hardware limitations.
  • •Basic understanding of post-quantum cryptography concepts, key encapsulation mechanisms, digital signatures and emerging standards.
  • Familiarity with cryptographic concepts such as public-key cryptography, certificates and secure communication protocols.
  • Experience with at least one quantum development platform such as Qiskit, PennyLane, Cirq, Azure Quantum or AWS Braket.
  • Proficiency in Python programming and familiarity with commonly used scientific and data analysis libraries.
  • Working knowledge of software development fundamentals, including version control and testing practices.
  • Ability to design and execute experiments, analyse results and communicate findings effectively.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in global, cross-functional teams.
  • Interest in emerging technologies and willingness to continuously learn new concepts and tools.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 2–5+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Software development or engineering
• Applied cryptography or cybersecurity
• Data science, machine learning or advanced analytics
• Quantum computing research or development
• High-performance or scientific computing
• Experience developing prototypes, proof-of-concepts or technical solutions using modern programming languages and frameworks.
• Familiarity with Python and scientific computing libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas or similar tools.
• Exposure to quantum computing concepts, quantum software development kits or post-quantum cryptography is preferred but not mandatory.
• Understanding of cybersecurity and cryptography fundamentals is desirable.
• Experience working in agile, research or innovation-focused environments is advantageous.
• Ability to independently complete assigned deliverables while collaborating effectively with senior team members.
• Publications, hackathons, certifications, research projects or open-source contributions related to quantum technologies are beneficial but not required.
• Willingness to work with global teams and support overlap with US East Coast hours when needed.

EY | Building a better working world 

 
EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.  

 
Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.  

 
Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.