Associate Quantum Software Engineer

OQC; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

OQC is building the future of quantum computing by turning academic ideas into commercial reality. As an Associate Quantum Software Engineer, you’ll develop software to take concepts through to integrated systems, adding functionality and performance to our quantum computers.

You’ll work with quantum engineers to turn system requirements into working prototypes, contribute to the Python-based control stack, and build experiments and tooling to demonstrate new capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
• Grounding in software-engineering fundamentals, with emphasis on clean, maintainable and well-tested code.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to take ownership of technical challenges while recognising when to elevate or seek input.
• The ability to work and communicate effectively with engineers across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Python software projects within OQC’s quantum control stack, developing working examples into reliable features.
• Work closely with quantum engineers to understand requirements, communicate progress and ensure delivered software is fit for purpose.
• Help implement and integrate new features into quantum system prototypes, building experiments and tooling to demonstrate their capabilities.
• Write clean, maintainable code, rigorously test your work and review code from your peers.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Software engineering fundamentals

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Computer Science

Job description

At OQC, we aren’t just theorising about the future; we’re building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we’ve transitioned quantum computing from an academic ambition into a commercial reality—and we’re just getting started.

The Purpose

Join the team integrating novel hardware and software into quantum computing systems, developing prototypes and proving out new capabilities alongside engineers and scientists in quantum control and hardware.

The Role

As an Associate Quantum Software Engineer, you’ll develop effective software that takes technical concepts through to integrated systems, helping to add functionality and performance to OQC’s quantum computers.

You’ll develop software from the first working examples through to reliable features. Working closely with quantum engineers, you’ll turn system requirements into working prototypes and contribute to our Python-based control stack, building the experiments and tooling needed to demonstrate new capabilities and enable increasingly sophisticated processor operation.

We’re looking for someone with an interest in engineering solutions to varied problems, a passion for learning and a desire to work in a multidisciplinary, open team. This role could be a good fit if you’ve enjoyed experimental work, hardware projects, coding or self-directed research—and communicating what you’ve learned and the ideas you’d like to explore.

What You’ll Be Working On

• Contribute to Python software projects within OQC’s quantum control stack, developing working examples into reliable features.
• Work closely with quantum engineers to understand requirements, communicate progress and ensure delivered software is fit for purpose.
• Help implement and integrate new features into quantum system prototypes, building experiments and tooling to demonstrate their capabilities.
• Write clean, maintainable code, rigorously test your work and review code from your peers.

What We’re Looking For

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
• A grounding in software-engineering fundamentals, with an emphasis on clean, maintainable and well-tested code.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to take ownership of technical challenges while recognising when to elevate or seek input.
• The ability to work and communicate effectively with engineers across multidisciplinary teams.

The ‘Nice-to-Haves’

• Exposure to quantum computing or quantum control software.
• Exposure to developing Python software for scientific, hardware-facing or technically complex systems.
• Exposure to debugging software issues across a large codebase.
• Exposure to software practices such as code review, testing and collaborative development.

Why Join OQC

You will join a world‑class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.

Learn more about our benefits and positive work culture on the OQC careers page.