Senior Software Engineer, Quantum Control (Fire Opal)

Los Angeles
Technology – Engineering /
Full-Time / Permanent /
Hybrid
About us
Founded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum control infrastructure software. 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. We believe that working in deep tech domains like quantum provides an opportunity to upskill whilst applying existing knowledge and practices to new markets.

As one of the fastest growing companies in the quantum sector, we’ve had a number of key milestones:
- In October 2024, we announced our record breaking expansion of our Series B funding round to USD $113M, with $59M USD of new capital.
- In November 2023, we announced an industry-first partnership with IBM Quantum Services, natively integrating our performance management software with all IBM quantum computers.  Building off of this relationship, in September 2024 we started offering two services via IBM’s new Qiskit Functions Catalog as an inaugural partner.
- Designed and moved our Global HQ offices and lab space into the first purpose-built (and award winning) commercial and research facility for a quantum technology company in Australia.
- Grew our global presence in Los Angeles and Berlin, and expansion into the UK, recently opening up a new office in Oxford.
- Continued to deliver real world outcomes across the quantum sectors, with our work with Australian Defence on software-ruggedized quantum sensing for navigation without GPS, as featured in the New York Times.

From educating the workforce on how quantum computing works, and building the next generation of quantum sensors, to delivering massive performance gains for end-users, it all starts with hiring the right talent. If you want to help us build the Quantum future, read on.

About the role
As a Software Engineer, you’ll be responsible for developing software solutions for quantum technologies and deploying them in the Q-CTRL product suite.

What you'll be doing:

    • Development work in the application code base for Q-CTRL’s error suppression products.
    • Assist in integrating Fire Opal with external customer’s systems.
    • Implementing novel control and error mitigation techniques developed in collaboration with research scientists for improving quantum circuit performance.
    • Mentoring other developers and autonomously addressing high priority work.
    • Review and address code and comments submitted by the team via pull requests.
    • Build robust tooling for monitoring, benchmarking, and experimentation.

Ideally you'll have:

    • A Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, physics, or related STEM field.
    • 4+ years of experience as an individual contributor in a professional software role, or equivalent experience.
    • 4+ years of programming experience with Python, Rust, C++, or other general-purpose languages.
    • A background in quantum computing, software design, high performance computing, or the related.

It would be fantastic if you have these skills/backgrounds but not essential:

    • A Ph.D. in computer science, experimental physics, mathematics, or a related area.
    • Experience in experimental physics or the design and integration of superconducting quantum devices.
    • Experience in designing and implementing software to abstract and standardize interactions with heterogeneous hardware interfaces.
$135,000 - $170,000 a year
The US base salary range for this opportunity is determined by position, level, location and experience. Individual pay will be based on specific job-related skills, experience, education and other contributing factors determined throughout the interview process. Should you have any questions related to the compensation package, please speak directly with the Talent Acquisition representative.

Please note, the salary range listed for US job postings reflect the base salary only. This does not include bonus, employee stock options or benefits. For more information on benefits at Q-CTRL, please visit our careers page at https://q-ctrl.com/careers.
Why Q-CTRL?

Flexibility: We embrace workplace flexibility so you worry more about your global impact vs a rigid work schedule.
Attractive salary: You’ll get to live the start-up life without 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.
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 employment opportunity employer. We value diversity, inclusion and providing equal opportunities to all, actively supporting initiatives like the ‘Global Women in Quantum’ program among others. 
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. 
Impactful work: Last but not least! You’ll have the opportunity to work in the world’s leading field of technology and truly make an impact that matters! 

Q-CTRL is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. We are committed to being inclusive in the way we hire. We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements mentioned in the job posting. 

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Please be advised that our communications will only come from the @q-ctrl.com domain. All our active job postings are available on our company website.

To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.