Quantum Algorithm Developer

Travelers • Hartford, CT

4d

About The Position

At Travelers, we’re not just keeping pace with technology - we’re leading our industry into the future. Our Emerging Tech team is looking for a Data Engineer (Quantum Algorithm Developer) to help expand the footprint of our foundational research into quantum computing applications for the insurance industry. In this Quantum Algorithm Developer role, you will contribute to the development and evaluation of quantum computing algorithmic solutions with future potential in the insurance industry. You’ll also play a critical part in bootstrapping classical-compute solutions that can provide early business value for these problems and serve as precursors to later quantum solutions. This role is fundamentally a Quantum Algorithm Developer position focused on exploring and implementing quantum computing solutions. This role differs from typical Data Engineer positions in that it emphasizes emerging quantum technology exploration, algorithm development, and research-to-prototype execution over traditional software development. The successful candidate will help bootstrap both classical-compute solutions that provide early business value AND quantum algorithmic solutions that position us for future quantum advantage. Your work will range from curating insurance-relevant problems at the start, through algorithm development and prototyping, to estimating the potential benefit of future scaled-up versions based on small-scale experimental evidence. You’ll collaborate with external partners from industry and academia as we explore one of the most promising frontiers in computing. The primary goal for the first year is to explore and identify promising use cases where quantum computing could provide value in the insurance domain.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, related STEM field, or its equivalent in education and/or work experience.
• 4 additional years of data engineering experience.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to implement and prototype quantum algorithms, not just theoretical understanding
• Experience with IBM Qiskit for quantum circuit design and execution
• Portfolio showing proof-of-concept quantum implementations - GitHub repositories with quantum code strongly preferred
• Ability to translate quantum computing research papers into working code
• Experience conducting experiments on quantum hardware simulators and/or actual quantum computers
• Fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics principles relevant to quantum computing
• Working knowledge of quantum algorithms including: - QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm) - QAE (Quantum Amplitude Estimation) - QUBO (Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization) formulations - VQE (Variational Quantum Eigensolver)
• Understanding of quantum advantage, quantum supremacy concepts, and scaling properties
• Familiarity with quantum error mitigation techniques and current hardware limitations
• Proven ability to conduct proper research and translate findings into working prototypes
• Experience moving from academic/theoretical concepts to functional code
• Track record of prototyping ideas from research papers or novel approaches
• Ability to curate problems with relevancy to specific domains and evaluate them for quantum advantage potential
• Skill in distilling scaling properties of algorithm candidates
• Strong programming skills in Python for prototyping and experimentation (required)
• Experience developing classical-compute solutions that provide business value
• Ability to implement reference solutions using traditional approaches before quantum implementation
• Understanding of when classical approaches are sufficient vs. when quantum may provide advantage
• Strong foundation in applying proper data analysis techniques
• Ability to demonstrate value through facts, plots, and verifiable evidence
• Experience analyzing algorithm performance through simulations and experiments
• Skill in communicating technical findings with visual and statistical rigor
• Comfortable with both Bayesian and/or Frequentist statistical frameworks
• Strong background in optimization algorithms (linear programming, constraint optimization, metaheuristics)
• Experience with machine learning techniques including deep learning and neural networks
• Understanding of how quantum algorithms can complement or enhance classical ML approaches
• Familiarity with hybrid quantum-classical algorithm architectures
• Ability to think outside conventional approaches and connect dots across disparate research areas
• Track record of applying insights from one domain to solve problems in another
• Experience identifying emerging techniques that could address complex challenges
• Demonstrated learning agility - quickly adapting to new tools, frameworks, and techniques
• Ability to present complex quantum concepts to audiences at various technical levels
• Experience documenting research findings and prototype results clearly
• Skill in explaining “why” behind technical decisions, not just “what” was implemented
• Comfortable collaborating with both technical peers and business stakeholders
• 2-5 years of professional experience in quantum computing, research, or related field
• Master’s degree in Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related STEM field (required)
• PhD in Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field (strongly preferred)
• Foundational research or emerging technology exploration experience valued over production deployment experience

Responsibilities

• Curate exemplary problems with relevancy to the insurance space and potential for quantum advantage
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand pain points in risk assessment, optimization, and decision-making
• Evaluate problems for quantum advantage potential vs. classical sufficiency
• Build a portfolio of insurance use cases ranked by quantum readiness and business value potential
• Apply, adapt, and derive quantum algorithms to solve curated insurance problems
• Develop classical-compute reference solutions to establish baselines and provide early business value
• Implement quantum algorithm prototypes using Qiskit and other frameworks
• Design hybrid quantum-classical approaches that leverage strengths of both paradigms
• Analyze algorithm performance through simulations on classical hardware
• Conduct experiments on diverse quantum hardware (simulators and actual quantum computers)
• Distill scaling properties of algorithm candidates
• Estimate potential benefit of future scaled-up versions based on small-scale experimental evidence
• Demonstrate value through clear data visualization, plots, and verifiable evidence
• Identify, research, and realize key advances in relevant areas of quantum computing
• Collaborate within the Applied Research team and with external partners from industry and academia
• Review results and justify selected algorithmic solutions with technical rigor
• Stay current with quantum computing research and emerging techniques
• Contribute to Travelers’ quantum computing knowledge base and technical documentation

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Employees and their eligible family members – including spouses, domestic partners, and children – are eligible for coverage from the first day of employment.
• Retirement: Travelers matches your 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to your first 5% of eligible pay, subject to an annual maximum. If you have student loan debt, you can enroll in the Paying it Forward Savings Program. When you make a payment toward your student loan, Travelers will make an annual contribution into your 401(k) account. You are also eligible for a Pension Plan that is 100% funded by Travelers.
• Paid Time Off: Start your career at Travelers with a minimum of 20 days Paid Time Off annually, plus nine paid company Holidays.
• Wellness Program: The Travelers wellness program is comprised of tools, discounts and resources that empower you to achieve your wellness goals and caregiving needs. In addition, our mental health program provides access to free professional counseling services, health coaching and other resources to support your daily life needs.
• Volunteer Encouragement: We have a deep commitment to the communities we serve and encourage our employees to get involved. Travelers has a Matching Gift and Volunteer Rewards program that enables you to give back to the charity of your choice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level