Dr Joe Fitzsimons, founder of Horizon Quantum Computing, leans against a railing with the nighttime Dublin cityscape behind him.
Dr Joe Fitzsimons, founder of Horizon Quantum Computing. Image: Conor McCabe

Irish quantum physicist’s Singapore-based company is hiring in Dublin

24 Nov 2022

Horizon Quantum Computing is recruiting for at least 10 roles in Dublin, with the city to be a focus for software engineering in particular.

Horizon Quantum Computing, a Singapore-based company founded by Irishman Dr Joe Fitzsimons, is planning to expand into Dublin.

The new Dublin office will be the company’s first base outside Singapore. It will look to serve customers in Europe and attract talent from the region.

Speaking to SiliconRepublic.com, Fitzsimons confirmed that there are at least 10 positions earmarked for Ireland, with the possibility of more.

Recruitment is already underway for several roles in Dublin, with the region to be a focus for software engineering, in particular.

“We recently advertised a director of engineering role in Dublin, so we’ll be hiring at quite a senior level,” said Fitzsimons, adding that there is also a range of jobs for software engineers of all experience levels.

Fitzsimons, a quantum physicist who is currently based in Singapore, founded Horizon Quantum Computing in 2018. He has more than 18 years of experience in his field and holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford on quantum computing architectures.

As well as Fitzsimons, who is CEO, the leadership team at Horizon Quantum Computing includes chief science officer Dr Si-Hui Tan, who holds a PhD in physics from MIT and has been actively involved in quantum research for 18 years.

The company focuses on developing a new generation of programming tools to simplify and expedite the process of developing software for quantum computers.

It is working to remove the need for prior quantum computing experience for those who want to develop applications for quantum hardware.

Since quantum computing is still an emerging technology, Fitzsimons said that some of the more experienced, senior or expert-level roles – particularly those which are scientific in nature – will be filled wherever the company can find suitable candidates.

These may be in Singapore, Ireland or further afield, he said. However, Fitzsimons is confident that his company will be able to fill out its team in Ireland. It is currently looking at office spaces here to establish a physical presence in the city.

He mentioned the fact that Trinity College Dublin has a number of industry-led postgraduate programmes in quantum computing as a promising sign that there is a pipeline of skilled people beginning to emerge in the sector here.

Horizon Quantum Computing is hoping to positively influence the further development of this skills pipeline by providing internships to graduates.

For more information on careers at Horizon Quantum Computing, visit its website.

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Blathnaid O’Dea
By Blathnaid O’Dea

Blathnaid O’Dea worked as a Careers reporter until 2024, coming from a background in the Humanities. She likes people, pranking, pictures of puffins – and apparently alliteration.

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