Software Engineer: Tooling & Automation

Location

Zurich, Switzerland

Employment Type

Full-Time

Department

Control

Position Overview

We are seeking a mid-level Software Engineer to build and maintain the software layer that automatically runs quantum circuits and calibrations on ZuriQ's trapped-ion quantum computing hardware. Your work will encompass tooling across the control stack, ranging from low-level control software up to scheduling of calibration and data acquisition pipelines. You will collaborate directly with the experimental physicists that operate the ion trap systems, translating their needs into reliable, performant tooling. Your domain is all software above the hardware abstraction layer, handling sequencing, scheduling, hardware control, and recording of the system state.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and maintain the software stack for sequencing and scheduling hardware tasks: managing queues, resource allocation across control devices, and sequencing of pulse and voltage operations.
• Develop and extend control software in Python and C++, including voltage sequence generation, parameter management, and integration with the broader control stack.
• Build and maintain data acquisition pipelines: structured logging of experimental results.
• Work closely with physicists to understand tooling requirements and turn them into well-designed, reusable software components.
• Maintain software quality through testing, documentation, and code review.
• Profile and optimize performance-critical paths where scheduling latency or data throughput demand it.
• Contribute to the evolution of the control software architecture as the quantum computer scales.

Required Qualifications

• BSc, MSc or PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related field.
• 2+ years post-degree in a software-heavy role, ideally in a laboratory or scientific computing environment.
• Strong Python skills: clean API design, packaging, testing, and integration with hardware libraries.
• Practical C++ experience for performance-sensitive control software.
• Familiarity with HDF5 or similar structured scientific data formats.
• Ability to work in a fast-moving environment, balancing robustness with velocity.
• Strong communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with quantum hardware, analog/digital control systems, or similar low-level hardware interfaces.
• Experience with experiment control frameworks (ARTIQ, Qiskit Experiments, LabOne Q or similar).
• Rust experience for systems-level components.
• Familiarity with FPGA development and/or ion trap laboratory environments.
• Experience designing scheduling systems or job queues for multi-resource environments.
• Contributions to open-source scientific or lab software.

What We Offer

• A rare role where your software directly drives cutting-edge quantum hardware.
• Daily collaboration with world-class experimental physicists on a novel trapped-ion platform.
• Access to cutting-edge ion-trap hardware that breaks away from the mainstream.
• Competitive compensation package including equity.
• Stock option plan that allows you to become a true shareholder in the company.
• Flexible work environment (home office).
• Be part of a dynamic team that operates on four core principles: Excellence, Reliability, Trust & Open Feedback.
• Zurich constantly ranks at or near the top of most liveable cities in the world. Whether you like the arts, sports or nature, Zurich has it all on offer.
• 30 days of holiday.

Impact

The quality of a quantum circuit is only as good as the software running it. You will own the tooling that physicists rely on every day, from calibration to quantum circuit execution. As ZuriQ's hardware scales, so does the complexity of the control layer, and your work will be foundational to that growth.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.