Software Engineer - Backend Systems for Quantum Computing

About The Team

At Q-CTRL, our Quantum Computing Engineering division comprises globally distributed software engineers and infrastructure specialists dedicated to converting cutting-edge quantum technologies into impactful software products. With a startup mentality and rigorous standards, our team excels in back-end, front-end, machine learning, and platform engineering disciplines across defense, research, and industry sectors.

About The Role

As a Software Engineer on the Boulder Opal team, you will develop and maintain backend infrastructure critical to our quantum software platform. Collaborating closely with compiler engineers and researchers, you will create scalable backend architectures, APIs, and high-performance services while deepening your knowledge of compiler technology and quantum computing.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and sustain scalable backend services primarily using Python and C++.
• Design APIs and backend support for our compiler and quantum runtime environments.
• Implement reliable cloud-native and distributed backend systems.
• Enhance backend component performance, observability, and system stability.
• Partner with compiler engineers to integrate novel compiler features into production.
• Collaborate with researchers and product teams to introduce new platform capabilities.
• Gradually contribute to compiler infrastructure development as expertise advances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proficiency in Python programming.
• Experience working with modern C++ standards.
• Background in building backend or distributed systems.
• Familiarity with API design technologies such as REST, gRPC, or GraphQL.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience developing high-performance backend systems.
• Knowledge of asynchronous programming techniques and concurrency models.
• Familiarity with web frameworks like FastAPI, Flask, or Django.
• Understanding of compiler principles or language implementation methods.
• Exposure to LLVM, MLIR, or related compiler infrastructures.
• Interest in quantum computing or scientific software development.
• Experience with other systems programming languages such as Rust or Go.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $130,000 to $170,000, influenced by skills, experience, location, and other pertinent factors. This role may also be eligible for discretionary annual bonuses, equity, and additional compensation components. Q-CTRL emphasizes outcome-driven work, offering flexibility, equity opportunities, and competitive benefits aligned with a high-performance culture.

About Q-CTRL

Q-CTRL leads globally in AI-enhanced quantum control software. Founded in 2017, we have offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berlin, and Oxford. With $113 million raised in Series B funding in 2024—the largest amount raised by any quantum software company—we recently achieved the first commercial quantum advantage with our Ironstone Opal navigation solution for defense and industry applications.

Additional Information

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records are considered consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. Communications will originate solely from the @q-ctrl.com domain. Q-CTRL does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting agencies and disclaims any fees related to such submissions. Artificial intelligence tools may assist our hiring process but do not replace human decisions.