Principal Scientific Software Engineer - Quantum Error Correction

Summary

QuEra Computing Inc. seeks a Principal Scientific Software Engineer to lead the development of QuEra's quantum error correction (QEC) software stack. In this role, you will define the technical direction for circuit-level QEC compilation, mentor and lead a team of engineers, and drive the architecture of our error-corrected quantum compiler pipeline built on Kirin — QuEra's in-house SSA-based compiler infrastructure featuring an MLIR-inspired dialect design with multi-stage programming capabilities. You will work at the boundary between high-level error-corrected circuit representations and lower-level compilation stages such as atom shuttling and pulse programming, collaborating closely with hardware, theory, and systems teams to deliver a production-quality QEC software stack for neutral-atom quantum processors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of QuEra's quantum error correction (QEC) software stack, spanning from logical circuit descriptions through syndrome extraction, decoding, and physical operation scheduling.
• Define the software architecture for circuit-level QEC compilation, including code selection, magic state generation scheduling, logical gate synthesis, fault-tolerant circuit transformations, and decoder development.
• Mentor and lead a team of engineers and cross-functional contributors in building a cohesive, well-tested QEC software stack.
• Collaborate with teams responsible for lower-level compiler stages — atom shuttling optimization, zoned architecture layout, and pulse-level programming — to ensure seamless integration across the full compilation pipeline and real time decoding.
• Collaborate with QEC scientists on research topics, such as hardware-efficient error correction, logical gate protocols, and decoding algorithms, contributing to research publications and quantum hardware demonstrations, and turn new research outputs into QEC software requirements and implementations.
• Drive technical decisions on intermediate representations, analysis passes, and optimization strategies for error-corrected circuits within the SSA-based, multi-dialect compiler framework.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Physics, or a related field with a focus on quantum error correction, compiler development, or quantum computing, plus at least 5 years of industry experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantum error correction theory and implementation (e.g., surface codes, qLDPC codes, fault-tolerant gate constructions, magic state generations).
• Strong experience with compiled languages and their type systems (C++, Julia, Rust, Haskell, OCaml, or similar), with proficiency in SSA-based intermediate representations or compiler infrastructure development.
• Strong track record of technical leadership — mentoring engineers, setting architectural directions, and delivering complex software systems.
• Knowledge of the full software development lifecycle, including version control, code review, testing, CI/CD, and documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research publications in quantum error correction or fault-tolerant quantum computation, with contributions to open-source quantum computing projects or equivalent industry software experience in quantum error correction.
• Experience with LLVM, MLIR, symbolic rewrite systems, or similar experience in symbolic computation development.
• Familiarity with neutral-atom quantum computing architectures and their compilation considerations (e.g., atom shuttling, zoned architectures, reconfigurable connectivity).
• Experience with Rust programming language.
• Experience building or contributing to quantum compiler toolchains or QEC simulation frameworks.
• Experience developing error correction-oriented simulation software.
• Familiarity with Python semantics, Python type hints, and CPython internals.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $120.000.00 - $202,000.00.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition