QPU Software Engineer

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

QuEra Computing is seeking a QPU Software Engineer to join the QPU SW Engineering team onsite in Harwell, England. You will help design and implement software that orchestrates our quantum hardware stack from real-time laser and FPGA control to system configuration, diagnostics, and feedback, working alongside physicists, systems architects and hardware engineers. Expect to build robust APIs, middleware, and tooling for automation, testing, state management and logging, and to contribute to bring-up and cross-disciplinary debugging. To apply, emphasize 5+ years in hardware control or embedded/distributed systems, strong Python and/or C/C++, and experience with SPI, I2C, UART or Ethernet, timing systems and RTOS or embedded Linux, plus collaboration across teams. QuEra is an equal opportunity employer.

Role Overview 

We are seeking a Software Engineer to join our QPU SW Engineering team. In this role, you will develop the software that orchestrates and controls our quantum hardware stack—from real-time control of lasers and FPGAs to system-wide configuration, diagnostics, and feedback. Working closely with physicists, systems architects, and hardware engineers, you’ll build the tools and infrastructure that enable precise, reliable, and scalable quantum operations. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Design and implement software systems for orchestrating quantum experiments, including pulse sequence generation, device coordination, and real-time system control. 

• Develop and maintain APIs and middleware that connect hardware control layers (e.g., FPGA, DACs, timing systems) with higher-level orchestration software and compilers. 

• Implement reliable communication and synchronization protocols across embedded and distributed system components. 

• Collaborate with system architects and physicists to translate experimental requirements into testable, high-performance software features. 

• Contribute to diagnostic and calibration routines for hardware validation and performance monitoring. 

• Develop tooling to support automation, test infrastructure, system state management, and logging. 

• Participate in system bring-up, integration testing, and cross-disciplinary debugging efforts. 

• Contribute to software architecture decisions, code reviews, and best practices across the engineering team. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field. 

• 5+ years of experience developing software for hardware control, embedded systems, or distributed systems. 

• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C++, and experience working with hardware interfaces (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet). 

• Experience with real-time systems or hardware-in-the-loop control environments. 

• Familiarity with timing systems (e.g., PTP), and communication stacks. 

• Proficiency in system integration, testing, and performance tuning. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with scientific instrumentation, lab automation, or quantum hardware control systems. 

• Familiarity with FPGA systems, DAC/ADC control, or pulse sequencing frameworks. 

• Exposure to embedded Linux, RTOS, or custom firmware development. 

• Knowledge of calibration, feedback, or control loop algorithms. 

• Experience in multidisciplinary teams working at the intersection of hardware, software, and science. 

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.