The posting
The Role
We are looking for a Quantum Software Engineer to join our team developing the software behind Aegiq's next-generation quantum computing systems and scientific computing applications.
You will work across our quantum architecture and applications teams, helping develop the software needed to program quantum computers and accelerate challenging computational problems. This includes developing tools for quantum circuit decomposition, transpilation and compilation, as well as optimising scientific computing libraries using tensor-network methods, GPU acceleration and other high-performance computing techniques.
A key part of the role will be turning new scientific methods and research prototypes into reliable, efficient and maintainable software that can be used by researchers, developers and future customers.
We welcome candidates from scientific computing, high-performance software development, compiler engineering and quantum computing backgrounds. You don't need to be an expert in every area. We're looking for someone with strong software engineering skills, an interest in complex computational problems and the ability to work closely with scientists and engineers.
This is an opportunity to take ownership of challenging software development work and contribute directly to both our quantum computing hardware platform and the applications we're developing.
Depending on experience, the position may be offered at Senior Quantum Software Engineer level.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Quantum Software Development: Develop software across Aegiq's quantum computing stack, including tools for circuit decomposition, transpilation, compilation and optimisation.
- Scientific Software Engineering: Translate research algorithms and experimental code into reliable, well-tested and maintainable software libraries and applications.
- High-Performance Computing: Optimise scientific algorithms for computational performance and scalability, using GPU acceleration, parallel programming and appropriate numerical libraries.
- Tensor-Network Methods: Support the implementation and optimisation of quantum-ready scientific computing algorithms, including tensor-network approaches to solving partial differential equations and other computational problems.
- Software Architecture & APIs: Design modular software, clear interfaces and developer tools that make advanced computational methods accessible and straightforward to use.
- Performance & Benchmarking: Profile and benchmark software, identify performance bottlenecks and improve computational efficiency, memory usage and scalability.
- Testing & Reliability: Develop automated tests, documentation and continuous integration workflows to maintain software quality as our technology develops.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with quantum architecture, applications, hardware and software teams to understand requirements, integrate software components and solve technical challenges.
- Research & Development: Contribute to technical publications, open-source projects, patents and collaborative research activities where appropriate.
About Aegiq
Aegiq is a Sheffield-based quantum technology company developing scalable, fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. Founded in 2019, we work across the full quantum computing stack, from semiconductor chips and photonic hardware to software and real-world applications.
In 2025, we delivered our first-generation quantum computer to the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre. We're now developing our second-generation platform and expanding our team to tackle the scientific and engineering challenges involved in building quantum computers at scale.
We're a growing team of scientists, engineers and specialists who enjoy solving difficult problems and turning new ideas into working technology. At Aegiq, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of your work, contribute directly to the technology we're developing and help shape the future of the company.
We value different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking. If you're excited about the work we're doing, we'd encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn't match every requirement listed.
Requirements
What We're Looking For
- Education: A degree in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Programming: Strong Python development skills, alongside experience with at least one performance-oriented language such as C++, C, Julia, Fortran or Rust.
- Scientific Software: Experience developing, maintaining or contributing to scientific, numerical or other technically complex software.
- Software Engineering: Good understanding of software architecture, modular design, version control, code review, automated testing and continuous integration.
- Research to Software: Experience translating research methods, mathematical algorithms or early-stage prototypes into tested, documented and maintainable code.
- Numerical Problem Solving: Strong analytical and computational skills, with the ability to understand complex algorithms and implement methods described in technical documentation or research papers.
- Performance & Optimisation: An understanding of computational performance, algorithm efficiency and approaches to improving software reliability and scalability.
- Communication & Collaboration: Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly and work effectively with colleagues from different scientific and engineering backgrounds.
Nice to Have
- Experience with quantum software stacks, circuit representations, transpilation or compilation.
- Knowledge of compiler design, including intermediate representations, optimisation passes, scheduling or code generation.
- Familiarity with quantum software frameworks such as Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, TKET or equivalent.
- Experience developing numerical algorithms, scientific computing libraries or simulation software.
- Experience with GPU programming and acceleration using CUDA, cuQuantum, JAX, PyTorch or similar tools.
- Knowledge of high-performance computing, parallel programming or distributed computing.
- Experience implementing or optimising tensor-network algorithms and libraries.
- Familiarity with numerical methods for partial differential equations or other scientific simulation problems.
- Experience with performance profiling, benchmarking, memory optimisation or computational efficiency.
- Experience designing APIs, reusable software libraries or developer tools.
- Experience integrating Python with compiled languages.
- Familiarity with packaging, deployment, release management and documentation for scientific software.
- Contributions to open-source software or collaborative research projects.
- Experience working in a startup, growing technology company or commercial research environment.
For Senior Engineer Applicants
Candidates considered for Senior Quantum Software Engineer level should demonstrate substantial experience in scientific, high-performance or quantum software development.
We would expect you to take ownership of complex software architectures, make technical design decisions, lead significant development activities and support the development of other team members.
We know that no two people have the same experience. If you're interested in the role and meet most, but not all, of the criteria, we'd still encourage you to apply.
Benefits
- Competitive salary, based on experience and skills.
- 25 days of annual leave, in addition to bank holidays and company closure days.
- A Sheffield-based workplace, with excellent transport links and a great balance of city life and affordability.
- The opportunity to join a growing company developing some of the most exciting technology in quantum computing.
- Meaningful responsibility from the outset, with opportunities to develop your skills, take on new challenges and grow your career as Aegiq expands.
- A friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment where different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are valued, and everyone is encouraged to contribute.
