Instrument Control Engineer, Software, Center for Quantum Computing

Amazon; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Center for Quantum Computing in Pasadena is seeking an Instrument Control Engineer to translate science requirements into performant software interfaces for control hardware. You will work with experimental physics and hardware teams to develop instrument drivers, test software, and enable OpenQASM-based experiments.

You will join a multidisciplinary software group to deliver scalable, maintainable control software, mentor colleagues, and help define performance metrics while staying

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience programming in a modern language (e.g. Java, C++, C#, Python)
• PhD, or Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
• 1+ years experience with control systems for experimental quantum computing
• Experience working with scientists in a research environment
• Experience with full software development lifecycle; including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations

Responsibilities

• Work with control hardware developers as a subject matter expert on software interfaces around our control hardware
• Collaborate with external control hardware vendors to refine integration strategies
• Implement instrument drivers and control logic in Python and/or low-level languages (C++ or Rust)
• Contribute to compiler backend to enable OpenQASM-based experiments on next-generation hardware
• Benchmark system performance and help define key performance metrics
• Ensure new features are integrated into our Python-based experimental software stack
• Mentor scientists and contribute to the codebase documentation

Skills

Python

C++

Java

C#

OpenQASM

Education

PhD

Bachelor's degree + 6+ years of applied research

Tools

Embedded software development

Digital signal processing

RFSoC platforms

USB / PCIe / Ethernet

Compiler development

Job description

The Amazon Center for Quantum Computing (CQC) is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians, on a mission to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

We are looking to hire an Instrument Control Engineer to join our growing software team. You will work closely with our experimental physics and control hardware development teams to enable their work characterizing, calibrating, and operating novel quantum devices. The ideal candidate should be able to translate high-level science requirements into software implementations (e.g. Python APIs/frameworks, compiler passes, embedded SW, instrument drivers) that are performant, scalable, and intuitive. This requires someone who (1) has a strong desire to work within a team of scientists and engineers, and (2) demonstrates ownership in initiating and driving projects to completion. This role has a particular emphasis on working directly with our control hardware designers and vendors to develop instrument software for test and measurement.

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at Amazon, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Diverse Experiences

Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Mentorship & Career Growth

We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Work/Life Balance

We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Export Control Requirement

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be either a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be able to obtain a US export license. If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please apply and Amazon will review your application for eligibility.

Key job responsibilities

• Work with control hardware developers, as a “subject matter expert” on the software interfaces around our control hardware
• Collaborate with external control hardware vendors to understand and refine integration strategies
• Implement instrument drivers and control logic in Python and/or a low-level languages, including C++ or Rust
• Contribute to our compiler backend to enable the efficient execution of OpenQASM-based experiments on our next-generation control hardware
• Benchmark system performance and help define key performance metrics
• Ensure new features are successfully integrated into our Python-based experimental software stack
• Partner with scientists to actively contribute to the codebase through mentorship and documentation

We are looking for candidates with strong engineering principles, a bias for action, superior problem-solving, and excellent communication skills. Working effectively within a team environment is essential. As an Instrument Control Engineer embedded in a broader science organization, you will have the opportunity to work on new ideas and stay abreast of the field of experimental quantum computation.

A day in the life

Your time will be spent on projects that extend functional capabilities or performance of our internal research software stack. This requires working backwards from the needs of science staff in the context of our larger experimental roadmap. You will translate science and software requirements into design proposals balancing implementation complexity against time-to-delivery. Once a design proposal has been reviewed and accepted, you’ll drive implementation and coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure a smooth roll out. Because many high-level experimental goals have cross-cutting requirements, you’ll often work closely with other engineers or scientists or on the team.

About the team

You will be joining the Software group within the Amazon Center of Quantum Computing. Our team is comprised of scientists and software engineers who are building scalable software that enables quantum computing technologies.

Basic Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience programming in a modern programming language e.g. Java, C++, C#, Python experience
• PhD, or Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
• 1+ years experience with control systems for experimental quantum computing
• Experience working with scientists in a research environment
• Experience with full software development life cycle; including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with embedded software development (e.g. low-level device driver or kernel development)
• Experience with digital signal processing
• Experience with RFSoC platforms
• Experience with standard communication interfaces (USB, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.)
• Experience with compiler development (optimizations or backend code generation)
• Experience with low-latency networking technologies (e.g. RDMA)
• Experience with monitoring and telemetry platforms such as OpenTelemetry

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, Pasadena - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually