Scientific Software Engineer - Virtual Machine & Emulation

QuEra Computing, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 102,400 - 166,400; Full time

Job summary

QuEra Computing, Inc. in Boston, MA seeks a Scientific Software Engineer to develop integration tools for quantum computing. The position involves working on high-level applications for neutral-atom quantum computers and collaborating with a diverse team of scientists.

You will maintain a multi-level hardware virtual machine that emulates QuEra’s domain-specific language and work with Quantum Error Correction scientists to simulate features required for executing QEC algorithms. A Master's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience is required.

Qualifications

• Masters in Computer Science with focus on quantum computation/architecture/programming language/compiler, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with modern C/C++ projects and tooling around those projects.
• Knowledge of the full lifecycle of software development, including version control, code review, testing, and CI/CD.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a multi-level hardware virtual machine for QuEra’s domain-specific language.
• Collaborate with Quantum Error Correction scientists and hardware control team.
• Perform gate-level and atom-move hardware simulation.

Skills

C/C++ experience

Experience with bytecode interpreters

Knowledge of software development lifecycle

Enthusiasm for building tools

Education

Masters in Computer Science

Tools

CPython interpreter

FPGA programming

Job description

Scientific Software Engineer - Virtual Machine & Emulation

Boston, MA USA

Summary

QuEra Computing Inc. seeks a creative and collaborative Scientific Software Engineer to help solve the unique software challenges of integrating high-level applications into state-of-the-art neutral-atom quantum computers. You will have the opportunity to work with a vibrant scientific software team and a community of industry and academic collaborators and to help our growing team of diverse experts address fascinating challenges, ranging from classical compiler techniques to direct integration with low-level hardware components.

Directly interacting with our compiler toolchain Kirin, you will be building QuEra’s multi-level hardware simulation tools across compiler pipeline together with experimental & computational physicists. This involves the development of new features and infrastructure for simulating hardware execution. You will be co-designing compilers and hardware simulation infrastructure for the next generation of quantum computing using cutting‑edge neutral‑atom and quantum error correction technologies. This new direction involves multiple new challenges in both engineering and science.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a multi-level hardware virtual machine that emulates QuEra’s domain‑specific language (DSL) for pulse‑level programs and its associated compilation stack
• Collaborate with Quantum Error Correction (QEC) scientists and hardware control team to plan and simulate hardware features required for executing QEC algorithms
• Collaborate with other members of the scientific software team to perform gate‑level and atom‑move hardware simulation

Qualifications

• Masters in Computer Science with focus on quantum computation/architecture/programming language/compiler, or equivalent professional experience
• Enthusiastic about building tools used by non‑software developers
• Experience with bytecode interpreters, CPython interpreter
• Experience with modern C/C++ projects and tooling around those projects
• Experience with hardware emulation and VM development, especially for novel/heterogeneous architectures
• Experience with Static Single Assignment intermediate representations‑based compiler
• Knowledge of the full lifecycle of software development, including version control, code review, testing, CI/CD, logging, profiling, debugging, and documentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science with focus on quantum computation/architecture/programming language/compiler, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience with compiled languages such as Rust, C++, Julia
• Experience with FPGA programming
• Knowledge in quantum physics and AMO physics
• Contribution to existing open‑source libraries

The approximate base salary range for this position is $102,400 - $166,400.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.