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Q-CTRL is the global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software. The Quantum Computing Engineering team is hiring a Senior Backend Software Engineer to join the Opal Platform team, responsible for managing user and partner access to Q-CTRL products and how internal services interact with the platform.
In this role, you will share ownership of Python APIs and microservices powering Q-CTRL's quantum software products used by customers worldwide. You'll work in an AI-native engineering team where agentic tools handle routine work, allowing you to focus on design, quality, and impact.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, building, testing, and documenting Python APIs (REST and GraphQL) and the microservices and client packages behind product features
- Converting product intent into working software using stories (AS A, WHEN, THEN) from the Product team as shared, testable specs
- Using AI coding assistants and agentic workflows daily (e.g., Copilot, Claude Code) for implementation, test generation, refactoring, and documentation while owning the quality of shipped code
- Helping shape how the team uses AI by evaluating tools, writing prompts and guardrails, and sharing what works
- Reviewing pull requests with rigor and kindness, including AI-generated code
- Improving reliability, performance, and security of distributed systems
- Mentoring teammates and sharing knowledge openly
Q-CTRL was founded in 2017 and operates globally with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Huntsville, Berlin, and Oxford. In 2024, the company raised US$113 million in Series B funding, the largest aggregate investment for a quantum software company. Six months later, Q-CTRL delivered the first commercial quantum advantage with Ironstone Opal, a field-validated quantum navigation solution for defense and industry.
The company prioritizes outcomes over hours and offers flexibility, equity potential, and competitive benefits reflecting a high-performance culture.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of professional software development, including 3+ years in Python
- Strong experience building web APIs (REST, GraphQL) with Django or FastAPI
- Fluent with AI tools in development workflow, with good judgment about when to trust, verify, or override them
- Experience with OIDC/OAuth2 (company uses Keycloak)
- Sound testing habits (BDD, automated tests, CI/CD)
- Clear communication and ability to communicate with different internal audiences
- Comfort moving fast with thought and empathy in a scaleup environment
- Degree in computer science or equivalent practical experience
Nice-to-have skills (not essential):
- Experience building with LLMs, agents, or MCP
- Microservices and distributed systems (company uses Ray and RabbitMQ)
- Curiosity about quantum computing (no physics background required)
