Software Engineer

Q-CTRL; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Q-CTRL is seeking a Software Engineer for the Boulder Opal team to build backend infrastructure supporting our quantum software platform. You will collaborate with compiler engineers and researchers to create scalable services, APIs and performance‑critical components.

Ideal candidates have strong Python skills, experience with C++, and a track record building backend or distributed systems, plus API design using REST, gRPC or GraphQL.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong Python programming skills.
• Experience with modern C++.
• Experience building backend systems or distributed services.
• Experience designing APIs using REST, gRPC or GraphQL.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and maintain scalable backend services in Python and C++.
• Develop APIs and backend services supporting compiler and quantum runtime.
• Build reliable distributed systems and cloud-native services.
• Improve performance, reliability and observability across backend components.
• Collaborate with compiler engineers to integrate new compiler capabilities into production systems.
• Work with researchers and product teams to deliver new platform capabilities.
• Learn and contribute to compiler infrastructure as your expertise grows.

Skills

Backend engineering

Distributed systems

APIs design

Python programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

C++

REST APIs

GraphQL

gRPC

Job description

About the role

As a Software Engineer on the Boulder Opal team, you will build the backend infrastructure that supports our quantum software platform. You'll work alongside compiler engineers and researchers to develop scalable backend systems, APIs and performance‑critical services while growing your understanding of compiler technologies and quantum computing.

This role is ideal for a strong backend engineer interested in systems programming who wants to develop expertise in compiler engineering over time.

What you’ll be doing:

• Design, build and maintain scalable backend services in Python and C++.
• Develop APIs and backend services supporting our compiler and quantum runtime.
• Build reliable distributed systems and cloud‑native services.
• Improve performance, reliability and observability across backend components.
• Collaborate with compiler engineers to integrate new compiler capabilities into production systems.
• Work with researchers and product teams to deliver new platform capabilities.
• Learn and contribute to compiler infrastructure as your expertise grows.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Experience with modern C++.
• Experience building backend systems or distributed services.
• Experience designing APIs using REST, gRPC or GraphQL.

It would be fantastic (but not essential) if you bring:

• Experience building high‑performance backend systems.
• Experience with asynchronous programming and concurrency.
• Experience with FastAPI, Flask or Django.
• Familiarity with compiler concepts or programming language implementation.
• Exposure to LLVM or MLIR.
• Interest in quantum computing or scientific software.
• Experience with Rust, Go, or other systems programming languages.

Salary

The targeted base salary range for this position is between $130,000 - $170,000 and will ultimately be determined by specific job‑related skills, experience, level, location and other contributing factors. Depending on the position offered, this role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, equity and other forms of compensation outside of the targeted base salary range. For more information on benefits at Q‑CTRL, please visit our careers page.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.