Quantum Software Engineer - Energy Grid Optimization

Infleqtion; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Employer-funded Health Savings Account

Unlimited PTO

401(k) match

Life and AD&D Insurance

Flexible Savings Account

Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Student Loan Repayment

Equity Program

Job summary

Infleqtion seeks a Quantum Software Engineer to apply quantum optimization and error correction techniques to energy grid problems. You will develop algorithms, run simulations, and interface with external groups to advance grid optimization solutions.

The role emphasizes collaboration with physicists and software engineers, publishing findings, and staying current with quantum algorithm developments. Office presence is required three days a week with travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in CS, Physics, applied mathematics, electrical engineering or related field.
• Fluency in Python; ability to learn Python quickly if using other languages.
• Experience with quantum optimization algorithms (QAOA, IQP, quantum annealing).
• Knowledge of quantum error correction and energy-grid optimization concepts.
• Experience with Cirq or Qiskit and open-source quantum software frameworks.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and be in the office three days/week.

Responsibilities

• Conduct R&D toward advances in quantum tech for energy grid optimization.
• Write and test code applying quantum algorithms to energy grid problems.
• Collaborate with external groups to apply quantum computing to energy grids.
• Contribute to government and commercial energy grid proposals.
• Publish research findings and present at conferences.
• Bridge theory and practical implementation with experimentalists and software engineers.
• Stay updated on developments in quantum algorithms and energy optimization.
• Provide guidance and support to team members.

Skills

Python

C/C++ or Julia

Quantum optimization

Open-source QE frameworks

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Learn quickly

Travel up to 10%

Office 3 days/week

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/Physics/Applied Math/EE or related field

PhD in quantum computation / physics / CS or related field

Tools

Cirq

Qiskit

Stim

FastAPI

PostgreSQL/SQLAlchemy

AWS

GCP

Job description

We are seeking a Quantum Software Engineer with expertise in quantum optimization algorithms and quantum error correction techniques and an interest in applying that expertise to energy grid optimization problems.

Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined below include essential functions of the role. Depending on business needs, this role may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned:

• Conduct R&D toward cutting-edge advances in quantum technology with a focus on applications to energy grid optimization
• Write and test code to apply quantum algorithms to energy grid optimization problems
• Interface and collaborate with external groups interested in using quantum computing to solve energy grid optimization problems
• Contribute to development of government and commercial energy grid optimization proposals
• Collaborate with experimental physicists and software engineers to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical implementation
• Engage with the broader scientific community by publishing research findings in scientific journals and presenting at conferences
• Stay up to date with the latest developments in both quantum algorithms and energy grid optimization
• Provide guidance and support to other team members, fostering a collaborative research environment

Required Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
• High proficiency in programming, with fluency in Python preferable. Proficiency in alternative languages (e.g., C/C++ or Julia) with the ability to rapidly upskill in Python.
• Experience with quantum algorithms used for optimization applications: QAOA, IQP circuits, quantum annealing, etc.
• Familiarity with theoretical aspects of quantum optimization algorithms: parameter transfer, barren plateaus, classical optimization algorithms, etc.
• Experience with quantum error correction and partial quantum error correction techniques: iceberg codes, encoding, decoding, etc.Familiarity with energy grid optimization: unit commitment, N-k contingency, etc.
• Experience optimizing quantum circuits: mapping/routing, gate decomposition, etc.
• Experience with both noiseless and noisy simulation of quantum circuits
• Experience running quantum circuits on quantum hardware and analyzing the results thereof.
• Experience with open-source quantum software frameworks, such as Cirq or Qiskit. Ideal candidates will have experience not only using these libraries but also modifying them.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate will all levels of an organization. Professional-level communication skills, including verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work comfortably in a highly collaborative, cross-functional, team-oriented, and matrixed environment.
• Desire and demonstrated ability to thrive and produce results in a fluid, dynamic, and fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new and complex topics quickly.
• Resourceful problem-solver who collaboratively identifies effective paths forward with demonstrated expertise in executing productization efforts.
• Passion for solving complex problems and challenges in a highly technical and scientific environment.
• Ability to be in the office any three days per week.
• Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in quantum computation, physics, computer science, or a directly related field
• Familiarity with concepts in quantum computing such as error correction, fault tolerance, native gate decomposition, qubit mapping and routing, and variational quantum algorithms.
• Experience with advanced open-source quantum software frameworks such as Stim
• Familiarity with best practices of professional software engineering such as coverage, integration tests, type checking, unit tests, and version control
• Experience with backend development with tools such as FastAPI for web frameworks and PostgreSQL/SQLAlchemy for databases.
• Experience with cloud development, especially on GCP and AWS.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, automated actions, issue tracking, version control, and other features on GitHub.
• Familiarity with security core best-practices such as access control, encryption at rest, key rotation, and logging
• Exposure to or interest in front-end / GUI development (e.g., React, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, PyQt).

• Salary range: 140000-182000 USD/year
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account
• Unlimited PTO
• 401(k) match
• Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Savings Account
• Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Student Loan Repayment
• Equity Program