Quantum Software Engineer - Nuclear

Infleqtion; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Infleqtion is seeking a Quantum Software Engineer with expertise in nuclear physics and quantum algorithms for physical science applications.

You will conduct R&D toward advances in quantum technology, write and test code for nuclear physics problems, and collaborate with external groups using quantum computing to solve nuclear physics challenges.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in CS, 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.
• General familiarity of nuclear physics: nuclear structure, Goldstone diagrams, Fermionic algebra, Folk Space, etc.
• Specific experience with at least one subfield of nuclear physics: QCD, EFT, many-body, etc.
• Experience with quantum algorithms used for physical science applications: QPE, VQE, Hamiltonian Simulation, etc.
• Experience in applying quantum algorithms to nuclear physics
• Familiarity with AI: machine learning, LLMs, agentic AI, etc.
• 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%.

Responsibilities

• R&D toward quantum tech with focus on nuclear physics applications.
• Write and test code to apply quantum algorithms to nuclear physics problems.
• Collaborate with external groups using quantum computing for nuclear physics.
• Contribute to development of government and commercial nuclear proposals.
• Collaborate with experimental physicists and software engineers to bridge theory and practice.
• Publish research findings and present at conferences.
• Stay up to date with developments in quantum algorithms and nuclear physics.
• Provide guidance and support to other team members, fostering a collaborative research environment.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Julia

QPE

VQE

Hamiltonian Simulation

AI / ML

Communication

Team Collaboration

Fast Learning

Productization

Travel Flexibility

Education

BS in CS, Physics, Applied Math, EE, or related field

MS in CS, Physics, Applied Math, EE, or related field

PhD (preferred) in quantum computation or related field

Tools

Cirq

Qiskit

Stim

FastAPI

PostgreSQL/SQLAlchemy

Job description

We are seeking a Quantum Software Engineer with expertise in nuclear physics and quantum algorithms for physical science applications.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct R&D toward cutting-edge advances in quantum technology with a focus on applications to nuclear physics
• Write and test code to apply quantum algorithms to nuclear physics problems
• Interface and collaborate with external groups interested in using quantum computing to solve nuclear physics problems
• Contribute to development of government and commercial nuclear 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 nuclear physics
• 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.
• General familiarity of nuclear physics: nuclear structure, Goldstone diagrams, Fermionic algebra, Folk Space, etc.
• Specific experience with at least one subfield of nuclear physics: QCD, EFT, many-body, etc.
• Experience with quantum algorithms used for physical science applications: QPE, VQE, Hamiltonian Simulation, etc.
• Experience in applying quantum algorithms to nuclear physics
• Familiarity with AI: machine learning, LLMs, agentic AI, etc.
• 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).

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

• Salary range: 110000-182000 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