Senior Software Engineer, Quantum Control (boulder Opal)

Senior Software Engineer, Quantum Control (Boulder Opal)

Founded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum. We're using control to solve the hardest problems facing quantum technology, improving hardware performance and accelerating pathways to useful quantum computers and other technologies. As a product-led company, we bring together diverse teams such as product, design, engineering and research to help achieve our mission of making quantum technology useful. Join us to help shape the quantum future.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Quantum Engineer to join our Boulder Opal team and help advance Q-CTRL's quantum control software products. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, this role will serve as a critical bridge between Research and Engineering. You'll bring software design and engineering expertise to our world-class quantum researchers, developing scalable solutions at the forefront of the quantum industry.

This is a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge problems in quantum hardware calibration and automation, and to directly influence the future of quantum computing.

What you'll be doing:

• Partner with researchers: Work closely with quantum physicists and experimentalists, applying strong software design skills across client and back-end development to accelerate their research and free them to focus on innovation.
• Build reusable features: Implement product capabilities that promote architecture reuse across diverse business cases.
• Own reliability: Independently troubleshoot and resolve software issues to maintain responsiveness to customer and research needs.
• Engineer at scale: Design, develop, and optimize scalable back-end architectures realized through modular services and APIs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Work with product, design, and infrastructure teams to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions.
• Raise the bar: Drive improvements in code quality, security, and operational efficiency.
• Learn and adapt: Demonstrate passion for quantum technology and innovation, with the ability to quickly pick up domain knowledge even if you don't have a physics background.
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

• Advanced degree (PhD or MSc preferred) in Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of quantum physics and quantum computing principles.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across research and engineering teams.
• Experience in developing frameworks or tools for quantum-related solutions, ideally, hardware calibration.
• Proven ability to mentor junior team members and accelerate their contributions.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills with the ability to work across cross-functional and agile teams.

It would be fantastic (but not essential) if you bring:

• Experience with quantum hardware control systems.
• Experience with Python Web Frameworks such as Django, Flask, or FastAPI.
• Previous experience working in a start-up or scale-up environment.

Salary

The base salary for this position is targeted between $135,000 - $213,000 and will ultimately be determined by specific job-related skills, experience, level, location and other contributing factors. Depending on the position offered, this role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, equity and other forms of compensation outside of the targeted range. For more information on benefits at Q-CTRL, please visit our careers page.

Why Q-CTRL?

Flexibility: We embrace workplace flexibility so you worry more about your impact vs a rigid work schedule.

Attractive salary: You'll get to have the start-up impact without the start-up wages.

Equity: We want people to have a sense of ownership in what they do and offer the potential for equity share and annual bonuses.

Cash bonus: We recognize exceptional performance and impact by offering annual discretionary cash bonuses.

Resources: We are well funded by the world's best technology investors, letting us chase our ambitions with minimal constraints.

Parental support: We offer paid parental leave to support you and your loved ones.

Diversity: We're an equal opportunity employer and actively support initiatives like the 'Global Women in Quantum' program to help expand the quantum workforce.

Unique culture: You'll be surrounded by some of the world's leading physicists, engineers, product, marketing and design people (to name a few!) with a strong desire to learn and transfer knowledge.

Meaningful values: You'll work with an incredibly supportive team who work consistently to deliver our core values to be real, be trusted, be just and to be revered.

Personal development: We provide you with a personal development and wellness budget.

Make a dent: Last but not least you'll have the unique opportunity to help set the direction for this revolutionary technology and truly make an impact that matters!