Senior Software Engineer, Quantum Control (Boulder Opal)
Los Angeles
Engineering – Computing Engineering /
Full-Time / Permanent /
Hybrid
About the team
At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real impact through software innovation. Our work is underpinned by robust standards, and by embracing the three virtues. Our team excels in areas across back-end, front-end, machine learning, and platform engineering.
We transform Q-CTRL’s world-leading technological breakthroughs into commercial software products with applications across defense, research, and industry. We work closely with Product, Design, and Research teams to accelerate the path to quantum advantage worldwide.
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 - $210,000 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 at https://q-ctrl.com/careers.
Should you have any questions related to the compensation package, please speak directly with the Talent Acquisition representative.
About Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL is the global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software. We build the tools that make quantum technology useful, solving the hardest challenges in quantum computing and quantum sensing to deliver real-world impact.
Founded in 2017, we operate globally with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berlin, and Oxford. Our teams bring together technical and multi-disciplinary expertise across the product lifecycle, and we’re hiring talent to help scale every part of the business. We work quickly to turn cutting-edge science into deployable technology.
In 2024 we raised US$113 million in Series B funding, the largest aggregate investment for a quantum software company. Six months later we delivered the first commercial quantum advantage with Ironstone Opal, our field-validated quantum navigation solution for defense and industry.
At Q-CTRL, we prioritize outcomes over hours. We offer flexibility, equity potential, and competitive benefits that reflect our high-performance culture. If you’re ready to help shape the future of quantum, we’d love to hear from you!
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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
