Senior Compiler Engineer

About the team

At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts, combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real impact through software innovation. Our work is underpinned by robust standards and the three virtues. The team excels in back-end, front-end, machine learning, and platform engineering. We transform Q-CTRL’s world-leading technological breakthroughs into commercial software products with applications across defense, research, and industry. We work closely with Product, Design, and Research teams to accelerate the path to quantum advantage worldwide.

About the role

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Boulder Opal team, you will lead the design and evolution of the compiler that powers next-generation quantum computing systems. Working closely with researchers and quantum engineers, you will bridge the gap between quantum algorithms and physical hardware by building a high-performance compiler capable of translating pulse-level programs into controller instructions. This is a hands-on senior engineering role for someone with deep compiler expertise who enjoys solving challenging systems problems and influencing technical direction.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize compiler infrastructure, intermediate representations, optimization passes, and code generation.
• Maintain and evolve our bespoke Python DSL used by researchers to construct pulse-level quantum programs.
• Build high-performance software using Python and C++.
• Work closely with researchers to translate experimental algorithms into production-quality compiler capabilities.
• Run experiments on quantum hardware to validate compiler outputs end-to-end.
• Influence technical direction, mentor other engineers, and drive engineering best practices.

Requirements

• Strong proficiency in Python and C++.
• Experience with LLVM, particularly MLIR.
• Experience implementing language tooling, parsers, or DSLs.
• Significant experience designing production compiler systems.
• Experience with compiler architectures, intermediate representations, optimization passes, and code generation.
• Strong understanding of systems programming and software architecture.

Nice-to-have skills

• Experience with quantum control systems or pulse-level programming.
• Experience with experimental characterization of superconducting or semiconductor spin qubits.
• Experience with RF signal processing concepts such as IQ modulation.
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation (AWGs, digitizers, oscilloscopes, SCPI-controlled instruments).
• Experience with FPGA development (Verilog, VHDL, or HLS).

Pay

The base salary for this position is targeted between $135,000 - $210,000 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 range.

About Q-CTRL

Q-CTRL is the global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software. We build the tools that make quantum technology useful, solving the hardest challenges in quantum computing and quantum sensing to deliver real-world impact. Founded in 2017, we operate globally with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berlin, and Oxford. Our teams bring together technical and multi-disciplinary expertise across the product lifecycle, and we’re hiring talent to help scale every part of the business.