Software Engineer for Quantum Networking

Qabird; Delft; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

33 days annual leave

Education & Training budget

Company-sponsored retirement plan

Team outings

Job summary

Q*Bird is recruiting a software engineer to own problems and independently devise solutions for components in our quantum networking device software team. You will design, implement, build, test, and document work, extending existing subsystems and creating new ones within a service-oriented architecture.

Expect collaboration with hardware, and learning new skills such as Rust. You are passionate about quantum networking, able to work independently, proactive, and a team player in a mixed

Qualifications

• Masters degree in computer science, engineering, or a comparable discipline.
• Hands-on software developer eager to deliver quality code.
• Experience (ideally 3+ years) in Rust, or experience in Python, C++ or Go with a desire to learn Rust.
• Experience (ideally 2+ years) developing commercial software, in networking products and/or secure communications and/or high-security systems.
• Experience in agile working methods.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, build, test and document components with ownership of subsystems.
• Develop services in a service-oriented architecture within a distributed network-device system.
• Define new communication protocols, secure them with cryptography, and interface with hardware teams.

Skills

Rust

Python

C++

Go

3+ years experience

Education

Master's degree in CS or Engineering

Job description

Join Our Team!

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.

• You are a hands-on software developer eager to deliver quality code.

• 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

• Flexible working hours

• 33 days of annual leave and holiday allowance

• Travel and Work expenses allowance.

• Education & Training budget

• 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