Software Engineer for Quantum Networking

Q*Bird; Delft; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days leave

Travel allowance

Retirement plan

Team outings

Open culture

Diverse team

Room for initiatives

Job summary

Q*Bird is hiring a software engineer to join our quantum networking device software engineering team. You will own problems and independently devise solutions for specific system components, from design to testing and documentation, and extend subsystems or build new ones.

You will develop services in a service-oriented architecture within a distributed system of network devices, define communication protocols, and interface with hardware as needed.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in computer science, engineering, or comparable discipline.
• Experience (ideally 3+ years) in Rust, or experience in Python/C++/Go with a desire to learn Rust.
• Experience (ideally 2+ years) developing commercial software, in networking, secure communications, or high-security systems.
• Experience in agile working methods.

Responsibilities

• Own problems and devise solutions for specific system components, designing, implementing, testing, and documenting work.
• Develop services in a service-oriented architecture within a distributed network device system and define new communication protocols.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams, learn new skills, and adapt to changing priorities.

Skills

Rust experience

Other languages

Commercial software

Agile methods

Education

Master's degree in CS or related

Job description

We are looking for a software engineer for our quantum networking device software engineering team. You’ll be one of the core software engineers, with full responsibility for owning problems and independently devising solutions for specific system components. To us, that means you’ll be designing, implementing, building, testing, and documenting your work, while keeping alignment with the other engineers on the team. You will be a developer with full responsibility for both extending existing sub-systems and for building whole new sub-systems.

You’ll be developing services in a service-oriented architecture, both between and within a distributed system of network devices. You’ll be defining new communication protocols between quantum network devices, securing those protocols with cryptography, working on API design, interfacing with existing communication/routing infrastructure, and working with prototype systems. You’ll probably need to learn new skills and languages (e.g., Rust). You’ll work most closely with the other software engineers, and interact with the hardware team when needed.

You are passionate about advancing quantum and networking technologies and want to contribute to new ground-breaking tech. Familiarity with quantum is not required (we’ll teach you that). You can work independently, are a proactive, hands-on person, and you can easily adapt to rapidly changing priorities. Above all, you’re a team player and excited to work in a mixed team of hardware engineers, software engineers, and scientists.

Your Profile

You are someone with,

• A master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a comparable discipline.
• Experience (ideally 3+ years) in Rust, or, experience in a similar programming language like Python, C++ or Go and a desire to learn Rust.
• Experience (ideally 2+ years) developing commercial software. Ideally in the domains of networking products and/or secure communications and/or systems with high security requirements.
• Experience in agile working methods.

We don't expect that the successful applicant will satisfy all the above points, but will have expertise in key areas and significant knowledge in most areas.

Who is Q*Bird

Q*Bird is on a mission to enable quantum connectivity by developing the hardware and software needed for the quantum Internet. We design, build, test, and produce systems for the next generation of secure communication. Our work accelerates quantum Internet adoption by building networking systems, supporting network infrastructure, and collaborating with industry and academia.

Our devices are the result of advancements across multiple disciplines, from optical systems and high-end hardware platforms to robust embedded software and innovative networking protocols. This means our team is a vibrant mix of experts with backgrounds in physics, engineering, software development, academic research, and real-world industry experience.

Over the past year, we’ve experienced remarkable growth, scaling from 20 to 30 team members, and we’re on track to reach 40 by the end of 2026. With a clear vision for the future and ongoing momentum, Q*Bird is on a continuous growth trajectory, bringing cutting-edge quantum solutions to commercial, industry, and government partners

We’re motivated by solving tough challenges, and we’re proud to be working on projects that make a real impact. Our dreams are ambitious, and we’re excited to welcome talented, curious, and driven teammates to help us make quantum networking a reality.

What Q*Bird Offers

• Opportunity to be part of the quantum revolution in a quantum company, and to build the next generation of digital infrastructure. Join us to create the Quantum Future!
• Starting Date: As soon as available
• Full-Time Employment
• Competitive salary package aligned with your skills and experience
• 33 days of annual leave and holiday allowance
• Travel and Work expenses allowance.
• Company-sponsored retirement plan
• Team outings and social activities organized by the company
• A young, energetic, fun team of highly skilled physicists, engineers, and industry experts, with an open working culture
• An international team that places a value on equality and diversity, no matter the race, religion, background, gender, or any of the differences that give each of us that unique perspective to strengthen the team
• Plenty of room for new initiatives and new ideas, and a chance to develop yourself at the cutting edge of technology