UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2026: Five Takeaways for Quantum Recruitment

On 6 November 2026, the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase returned to London under the theme 'Turning Breakthrough Ideas into Industry Giants'. Run by Innovate UK with the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme, it was expected to draw more than 3,500 attendees, making it one of the largest quantum events of the year.

Our quantum recruitment team spent the day talking to founders, engineers, investors and hiring managers. The theme turned out to be a fair summary of the mood. Conversations have moved on from what companies have built to who will buy it, and that shift is already changing the talent quantum companies need. Here are our five takeaways.

1. Commercialisation is now the main conversation

The biggest difference this year was the focus of conversations. Rather than simply showcasing technology, there was far more emphasis on identifying real-world problems, finding customers and understanding where quantum solutions can genuinely deliver value.

This wasn't limited to the more mature players. Even companies not yet at the commercialisation stage are actively looking for collaborators to test products before they bring them to market. For hiring, that matters: a company looking for early users needs people who can hold a credible technical conversation with a customer, not only people who can build the product.

2. UK funding and investment are shaping hiring plans

There was a lot of discussion about the UK government's continued investment in quantum technologies, and the backdrop is significant. In March 2026 the government announced up to £2 billion for quantum, including the ProQure procurement programme, with the aim of deploying quantum computers at scale by the early 2030s. UKRI has also set aside more than £1 billion for quantum between 2026 and 2030, with around £588 million aimed at helping quantum companies start, scale and stay in the UK.

More was announced alongside the Showcase itself: £138 million for cross-government quantum sensing procurement, £12 million for a national Quantum Commercialisation Skills Centre and £35 million for quantum networking testbeds, with the networking calls due to open in February 2027.

This is particularly important for smaller UK companies, where grants and government-backed initiatives can provide the capital needed to accelerate development and move towards market. Funding is also creating confidence around hiring. Several companies we spoke to described significant team expansions, subject to securing investment.

3. The quantum talent shortage is moving towards commercial roles

As companies commercialise, the next phase of hiring will centre on people who can sell, scale and productise technology. There is a noticeable gap for technically minded sales professionals, Field Engineers and Technical Pre-Sales Engineers.

That matches the wider data. The QED-C State of the Global Quantum Industry 2026 report points to a particular shortage of people who can bridge disciplines, such as quantum physics and engineering. In the UK, QuEra's 2026 Quantum Readiness Report found 88% of respondents felt the country is well positioned in quantum, but many warned that a shortage of skilled staff could hold progress back.

People with a quantum or engineering background who want to move closer to customers are becoming increasingly valuable. For companies, that means commercial and engineering hiring now needs to be planned alongside research hiring, not after it.

4. Post-quantum cryptography is creating a new hiring market

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) came up repeatedly, with interest from quantum companies and from the wider technology and consultancy sectors. The reason is a deadline. The NCSC's timeline for migrating to PQC asks organisations to complete discovery and an initial plan by 2028, carry out their highest-priority migration by 2031 and finish migrating by 2035. NIST published its first three finalised PQC standards in 2024, so the tools to start are now in place.

As established businesses begin investing in this transition, we expect demand for specialist PQC talent to grow well beyond quantum start-ups, into banks, telecoms, critical infrastructure and management consulting and advisory firms helping clients prepare.

5. Quantum, HPC and GPUs are converging

There was plenty of discussion about the relationship between traditional high-performance computing (HPC), GPUs and quantum computing. Rather than replacing classical systems, hybrid approaches are increasingly seen as the route to practical commercial use.

The UK is already moving this way. The National Quantum Computing Centre hosts a system that integrates NVIDIA GPUs directly inside a quantum computer, and UKRI has opened a funding opportunity on integrating AI and HPC with quantum to tackle the bottlenecks of running quantum inside classical workflows. The talent implication is a new hybrid profile: engineers and software specialists who understand both the HPC stack and the quantum one.

Why commercial quantum roles are hard to hire

• A tiny overlapping pool. Few people combine deep quantum or engineering knowledge with customer-facing experience.
• New job titles. Field Engineer and Technical Pre-Sales roles in quantum barely existed a few years ago, so there are few people who have done them before.
• Competition from bigger players. As PQC and hybrid computing grow, quantum companies compete with large tech firms, banks and consultancies for the same people.
• Funding-dependent timelines. When hiring depends on a grant or funding round, roles open suddenly and need filling quickly.
• Pay benchmarks still settling. Commercial quantum roles sit between research and sales pay scales. Our 2026 Quantum Salary Benchmarking Guide can help.

How hiring managers can compete for quantum talent

1. Hire for the bridge, not the perfect CV. Look at adjacent sectors such as semiconductors, photonics, scientific instruments, HPC and cybersecurity.
2. Tell a clear commercial story. Candidates moving from research want to know who your customers are and where the product is heading.
3. Plan hiring alongside funding. Build a talent pipeline before a grant or round closes so you can move as soon as it lands.
4. Benchmark pay early. Agree ranges before you go to market, not after your first offer is turned down.
5. Use the right engagement model.Contract and interim support suits defined PQC or integration projects, permanent recruitment suits core teams, and executive search suits commercial leadership.
6. Sell the stage you're at. The chance to build a first commercial team is a strong draw for the right person.

For candidates

If you have a quantum, physics or engineering background and want to move closer to customers, this is a good moment. Field Engineering, Technical Pre-Sales, applications and technical sales roles are opening up across the sector. Cryptography and security engineers should watch the PQC market closely, and HPC specialists will find their skills increasingly relevant to hybrid quantum work. Get in touch for a confidential conversation.

Frequently asked questions

When was the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2026?

The UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2026 took place in London on 6 November 2026. It was run by Innovate UK with the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Which quantum roles are most in demand in the UK?

As companies move towards commercialisation, demand is growing for technically minded sales professionals, Field Engineers and Technical Pre-Sales Engineers, alongside specialists in post-quantum cryptography and hybrid quantum-HPC computing.

What is post-quantum cryptography?

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is encryption designed to resist attacks from future quantum computers. The NCSC advises UK organisations to complete their migration to PQC by 2035.

What quantum funding is available in the UK?

The UK government has announced up to £2 billion for quantum technologies, including the ProQure procurement programme. UKRI has also committed more than £1 billion to quantum between 2026 and 2030, with further funding for sensing procurement, skills and networking testbeds announced at the 2026 Showcase.

Can I move into quantum without a PhD?

Yes. Many commercial and engineering roles value engineering experience, customer-facing skills and technical credibility as much as a doctorate, particularly in sales, field engineering and pre-sales.

Talk to our quantum recruitment team

Whether you're building your first commercial team, preparing for PQC or hiring for hybrid computing, our Quantum team can help. Contact us, meet the people behind our searches or read more on our blog.