Quantum Software Engineer

The role sits within the Intelligent Automation (IA) team, whose goal is to transform key parts of both the characterisation and operation of the quantum processor.

As a Quantum Software Engineer in the IA team, you will build an essential part of the software necessary to control Quantum Motion’s quantum processing units (QPUs). This will entail adapting open-source frameworks to build a transpiler which translates user input provided in an existing quantum instruction language to an instruction set that is compatible with Quantum Motion’s quantum hardware and quantum emulation tools. To this end, a thorough understanding of existing transpilers or compilers for quantum computing applications is a preferred qualification. The successful candidate will be able to understand and contribute to other functions of the software stack and will work in close collaboration with the teams working on the emulation tools as well as the interface with control electronics. You will communicate with users to understand their specific needs and translate this into product requirements.

The Ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to develop robust software solutions from the beginning and deliver projects on a defined timeline. Experience in quantum computing, including running on quantum hardware emulators is preferred. Knowledge of testing and /benchmarking of quantum systems as well as the implementation of demonstration algorithms, would be beneficial.

Since 2021 our team has been listed every year in the “Top 100 Startups worth watching” in the EE Times, and our technology breakthroughs have been featured in The Telegraph, BBC and the New Statesman. Our founders are internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University who have pioneered the development of qubits and quantum computing architectures. Our chairman is the co-founder of Cadence and Synopsys, the two leading companies in the area of Electronic Design Automation. We’re backed by a team of top-tier investors including Bosch Ventures, Porsche SE, Sony Innovation Fund, Oxford Sciences Innovations, INKEF Capital and Octopus Ventures, and we have so far raised over £62 million in equity and grant funding.

We bring together the brightest quantum engineers, integrated circuit (IC) engineers, quantum computing theoreticians and software engineers to create a unique, world-leading team, working together closely to maximise our combined expertise. Our collaborative and interdisciplinary culture is an ideal fit for anyone who thrives in a cutting-edge research and development environment focused on tackling big challenges and contributing to the development of scalable quantum computers based on silicon technology.

Our team of 50+ is based in Oxford and London, with a centre of mass in our Islington lab.

• Design and build a solution to transpile quantum instructions input by users to an instruction set accepted by the quantum hardware and emulator backends
• Define the interface with the low-level compiler and emulation backend in close collaboration with the responsible teams
• Define the requirements of a user-facing programming interface
• Integrate the transpiler with an API/user interface
• Understand user needs and translate them into product requirements
• Track record of delivering robust software solutions
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of compilation/transpilation
• Proficiency in Python and/or C/C++
• Proficiency with version control tools such as git
• Proficiency with Gitlab, e.g versioning, establishing robust CI/CD workflows.
• Demonstrated understanding of software best practices, including unit and integration testing
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated experience of working collaboratively in a team environment
• PhD in Computer Science, Physics or a related field
  OR
• MSc in Computer Science, Physics or a related field as well as a minimum of 3 years of work experience in a relevant industry
• Demonstrated knowledge of quantum logical circuits and decomposition rules for gates
• Familiarity with existing quantum compilers/transpilers
• Familiarity with at least one quantum instruction language (e.g. OpenQASM) and quantum frameworks such as Qiskit
• Experience running on quantum hardware
• Understanding of noise models and key concepts in controlling noise in quantum systems (error mitigation and error correction)
• Familiarity with control hardware, e.g. RF control electronics
• Experience with testing and benchmarking of quantum systems
• Familiarity with basic concepts in quantum algorithms, to anticipate user needs (e.g. quantum Fourier transform, phase estimation, variational algorithms)
• Knowledge of quantum circuit compilation techniques
• Experience with LLVM compilation technologies
• Be part of a creative, world-leading team
• Competitive salary and share options scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Group private medical insurance scheme
• Choose your own laptop/kit
• Life Assurance
• Cycle-to-work Scheme
• Flexible working with locations in central London and Oxford Quantum Motion is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, religion, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, gender reassignment or any other protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010.