Gregor Mittag’s journey to the cutting edge of quantum computing is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Growing up in a small village near eastern Hamburg - home to just 800 or 900 people - he spent his afternoons playing football, climbing trees, and wrestling. But even as a child, Gregor’s mind was set on something far beyond his quiet surroundings - space.
“I always wanted to be an astronaut,” he recalls. “That was the dream.” While he may not have made it to space, today, through his work at Universal Quantum in collaboration with DLR - Germany’s national aerospace agency - he’s as close as he’s ever been to that childhood ambition.
His path to quantum wasn’t straightforward. Struggling to decide on a specialism, he chose physics for its breadth, knowing it would keep as many doors open as possible. “Physics is the most generic thing you can do if you love science and technology,” he says. His PhD led him into industry, where he found a passion for software and data science. But something was missing - the international collaboration, the exchange of ideas, the challenge of working on something groundbreaking.
That missing piece fell into place when he joined Universal Quantum. Now, he leads software development for a pioneering quantum project in partnership with DLR, blending physics, computing, and innovation in ways he never imagined. “It’s the perfect mix of everything I love,” he says. “Physics, software, and working with brilliant people.”
Gregor enjoys the variety his role offers. “I love solving problems - whether it’s technical challenges, management obstacles, or clearing roadblocks for my team,” he explains. “It’s not just about one thing, and that’s what keeps it exciting.”
Despite working at the forefront of quantum computing, Gregor remains unassuming. “People are often surprised when they find out what I do,” he laughs. “Maybe because I don’t fit the stereotype - I’m not the loudest person in the room.”
Outside of work, his life is a mix of adventure, movement, and family. He rides a vintage motorbike - a relic from a long-defunct German manufacturer - and finds rhythm in drumming, which he describes as a form of meditation. But more than anything, he spends his free time bouldering - a sport that challenges both the body and the mind. “I go bouldering twice a week,” he says, “sometimes even with my 7-year-old son, which makes it even more fun.”
Yet, no hobby or passion comes close to the time he spends with his family. “Honestly, my biggest passion is my two kids - they’re 14 and 7 - and, of course, my wife,” he says. Whether it’s helping with school, climbing walls together, or simply enjoying the small moments in everyday life, they are at the heart of everything he does.
For Gregor, quantum computing is more than just an intellectual pursuit - it’s a means to solve real-world problems. “Drug discovery, climate modelling - these aren’t abstract ideas. They’re things that will change lives,” he says. “And that’s what keeps me motivated. Technology is exciting, but it needs purpose.”
From dreaming of space to building the future of quantum, Gregor Mittag’s journey is proof that sometimes, the most extraordinary paths begin in the most unexpected places.