Women in Quantum: Meet Martina Matusko, Quantum Hardware Engineer at planqc

Martina, what is your name, current role, and your connection to planqc? 

I’m Martina Matusko, a Croatian from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I work as a Quantum Hardware Engineer at planqc. Together with my colleagues, I’m building a quantum computer based on neutral atoms. My main responsibility is operating and developing our quantum machine. I spend my days trapping atoms and pushing the experimental setup forward to advance our quantum technology.

Can you tell us briefly about your professional background and how you joined the company? 

I studied Mathematics and Physics, two fields I have always been passionate about. However, at the time, I wasn’t entirely sure which direction I wanted to take professionally, I just knew that I loved challenges and solving complex problems.

Toward the end of my master’s degree, I decided to leave my country in search of new opportunities and moved to Munich, Germany. My initial focus was on learning the language, so I worked in several fields not directly related to my academic background. Later, while working as a software developer, I started asking myself whether I could see myself doing that for the rest of my life, and the answer was clear. I realized how much I missed the intellectual challenges and curiosity-driven nature of science, the constant learning, and pushing my own limits.

That was the turning point when I decided to return to my original dream – pursuing a PhD in Physics. I applied for several positions and chose the one that seemed the most challenging. This led me to France, where I completed my PhD in the field of quantum metrology, working on the development of a new type of atomic clock.

I always knew I wanted to come back to Munich, where I had already built my life. So, when I attended an event and heard Sebastian’s talk about planqc and its mission to build a quantum computer, I immediately knew that was where I wanted to be. It perfectly aligned with my interests and background. As soon as I finished my PhD, I applied – and here I am, truly happy that everything worked out and brought me to where I am today.

What inspired you to pursue a career in science, technology, or innovation? 

From a young age, I often heard comments like “Women belong in the kitchen,” or “Why invest in a girl’s education if she’ll just get married?” and “Girls aren’t good at science.” Even as a child, I couldn’t understand how being a woman could possibly determine one’s abilities. So, I made a quiet promise to myself – to prove those ideas wrong.

I decided that I would become whatever I wanted to be, and I have always believed that limits exist only in our minds. Those stereotypes actually became my motivation – the more often I heard them, the more determined I was to challenge them.

Over time, my curiosity and love for solving complex problems naturally led me toward physics and quantum science. The quantum world fascinates me because it challenges our intuition, it is full of phenomena that seem impossible, yet they are real and measurable. Even now, working in this field sometimes feels surreal. It is incredibly fulfilling to contribute to a technology that pushes the boundaries of what we think is possible.

Being in a field that is still predominantly male, did you experience feeling like a minority during your studies or early career? If so, were there any particular moments, feelings, or challenges, and how did you deal with them?

At the moment, I’m one of two women in a fairly large Quantum Hardware team in Garching – but I honestly never notice it. I’m treated as a colleague, as an equal, and when you work in such an environment, you don’t think about gender statistics.

Personally, I don’t believe that progress comes only from fulfilling quotas or meeting a certain number of women in a team. Real change has to start much earlier. It begins with how we raise our daughters – teaching them that there are no limits to what they can achieve. No girl should ever hear the kind of things I heard growing up, like “girls aren’t good at science.” I was fortunate enough never to believe those words, but I know many young women who, over time, did, and gave up on their dreams because of it. That’s what truly needs to change. When girls grow up knowing their worth and possibilities, the number of women in male-dominated fields will rise naturally.

Unfortunately, I didn’t always experience the supportive atmosphere I now enjoy at planqc. Earlier in my career, there were moments when I faced inappropriate comments or difficulties simply because I was a woman. In those situations, I learned how important it is to speak up and stand firmly for yourself. Confidence and self-respect don’t make such behavior acceptable, but they do make a difference in how we handle it and in ensuring our voices are heard. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and creating that culture is a shared responsibility.

What has been a highlight or proudest moment in your career so far? 

Definitely earning my PhD with my partner and our son by my side. After wishing for it for a long time, I finally got pregnant right at the beginning of my PhD, in the middle of the pandemic, and while in a long-distance relationship. It was a challenging period, but we were a strong team and made it through together. My partner was my biggest support; we shared all the ups and downs, and our son was, is, and will always be our greatest motivation.

What is your role within the company, and how does your work contribute to planqc’s mission? 

I would say that planqc’s mission and my personal motivation fit together perfectly. I love learning, and I’m driven by curiosity, challenges, and my passion for quantum science.

planqc is one of the leading companies in the development of digital quantum computers, using a unique approach based on neutral atoms as qubits. This technology offers one of the fastest paths toward building industry-relevant quantum computers, and I’m proud to be part of that journey.

For me, this is more than just a job – I truly see myself as part of the mission. I enjoy growing as a scientist while contributing to something much bigger than myself: helping to lay the foundations for a technology that will shape the future.

Why do you think diversity of roles – from research to administration, business development, HR, and beyond – is important in quantum technology? 

I believe that diversity of roles is essential in quantum technology – and really in any ambitious scientific field. Building a quantum computer is such a complex task that it simply wouldn’t be possible without many different kinds of expertise coming together. Every person, whether they work in research, engineering, business development, or administration, plays a crucial part in making progress possible.

From my perspective in the lab, I see every day how much depends on good communication and collaboration across disciplines. We can only move forward when everyone understands the bigger picture and contributes their strengths. It’s a constant exchange of ideas, knowledge, and support that drives innovation.

In the end, diversity isn’t just about having different roles, it’s about combining different ways of thinking. That’s what makes a company like planqc strong and allows us to turn a scientific dream into a real, working technology.

What do you enjoy most about working at planqc? 

Honestly, this is one of the hardest questions so far. 😊 What I love most about working at planqc is our friendly and open atmosphere, and the great communication across all departments. Everyone talks to everyone, no matter their background or role, and that creates a truly collaborative environment.

I love that we work as a team, all motivated by the same goal. There is no sense of competition like there sometimes is in academia; instead, we are all pushing in the same direction and supporting each other along the way. We also have colleagues at very different levels of experience, and our more experienced team members are always happy to share their knowledge and help others grow.

Last but not least, I feel genuinely honored to be part of something so big and scientifically revolutionary – to help shape the future of technology together with such motivated, talented, and kind people.

What is your vision for the future of women in science, technology, or quantum?

My vision for the future of women in science and technology is that we eventually stop needing to talk about it, because equality has become something we live, not something we aim for.

I hope the next generation of girls grows up with the confidence to explore, to make mistakes, to be curious, without ever doubting whether they belong in science. I want them to feel that they can choose any path, not because they have to prove a point, but because they truly love what they do.

For that to happen, we need environments where respect, openness, and collaboration are the norm, places like planqc, where people are valued for their ideas and dedication, not for who they are on paper. When that becomes the standard everywhere, science and humanity will be much stronger for it.

What is your favorite quote or motto?

I would say: Do what you love, and you’ll never spend a single day working.

Many people already feel stressed on Sunday because they know they will go back to a job they don’t enjoy. For me, it’s the opposite, I don’t see this as “work” I have to do, but as something I truly love. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn, and I genuinely look forward to them. I wish everyone could find something that makes them feel the same way.

Is there a fun fact about you that you’d like to share?

I love pencil drawing, and I would humbly say I’m not too bad at it! I also love spending time with my family and friends and welcoming them as guests, which is a big part of my Balkan culture that I’m very proud of. 😊

I enjoy learning new languages and make time for it every day. Besides Croatian, English, and German, which I speak fluently, I’m improving my French and Hungarian, and I’ve recently started learning Spanish. That’s my way of relaxing and enjoying some “me-time” in the evening.

I also love nature, traveling, and living a healthy, active lifestyle.