Senior Software Engineer, Hardware and Systems

Location: Chicago, IL (on-site, with hybrid flexibility)

Company: memQ

Position Overview

At memQ, we are building extensible quantum networks that will unlock the real power of quantum computing! Recognized as the leaders in extending and connecting quantum systems at scale, we sit at the dynamic intersection of quantum physics, materials science, photonics, and information systems. Powered by a world-class, diverse team of experts, we foster a high-energy, collaborative environment where our groundbreaking photonic integrated circuits and software deliver the essential scalability solutions quantum systems need today.

We are moving fast with an ambitious hardware portfolio, which includes our quantum network interface controllers (QNIC), quantum memory modules (QMM), quantum control systems (QCS), and our extensible distributed quantum compiler software (xDQC) – and are actively deploying these with industry-leading partners and customers. To drive this next chapter of growth, we are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to bring production-grade software to memQ’s hardware and compiler. You will build the software that runs our photonic hardware, turn lab code into reliable, versioned tools and APIs, and make our demos and customer evaluations run the same way every time. You will also build the services around xDQC, our extensible distributed quantum compiler built on NVIDIA CUDA-Q. Working closely with our FPGA, hardware, and quantum software teams, you will be one of memQ’s first dedicated software engineers, setting our engineering practices and growing into a technical lead as the team grows.

Key Responsibilities

Hardware Control Software: Build the software that drives memQ’s photonic hardware, including instrument control, calibration, and data acquisition, on top of the FPGA and instrument interfaces our hardware engineers provide
Demos and Customer Evaluations: Turn lab code into reliable, scriptable tools so that demos, pilots, and customer evaluations run consistently
Lab Systems: Build shared lab infrastructure, such as an instrument server and experiment data pipelines, so our scientists can run and record experiments in a standard way
APIs and xDQC Services: Design clean, documented APIs for our hardware and compiler software, and build the backend for job submission and workflows around xDQC with our theory and quantum software team
Production Practices: Own packaging, versioning, automated testing, CI/CD, and release notes, and establish the code review practices that let research code graduate into production

Required Qualifications

Education: BS in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Experience: 5+ years building and shipping production software, including owning the architecture of at least one complete system from specification through release
Hardware Interfaces: Experience writing software that controls or communicates with hardware, such as instruments, microcontrollers or embedded systems, FPGAs, or test and measurement equipment
Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in Python, and experience designing APIs and backend services (REST, gRPC, or similar)
Engineering Practices: Linux, version control, automated testing, packaging, CI/CD, and containers (GitHub Actions, Docker, or similar)
Systems Thinking: Able to take a loosely defined problem, break it into components with clear deliverables and acceptance criteria, and explain the trade-offs
Leadership: Experience leading a project or a small team technically, and interest in growing into a lead role

Bonus Points

Built demo or production software for customer evaluations, pilots, or field trials
Microcontroller or embedded control software, device drivers, or FPGA host software
C or C++ for embedded or driver-level code
Instrument control (PyVISA, SCPI), lab automation, or instrument servers
Experience with quantum computing frameworks (CUDA-Q, Qiskit, Cirq) or scientific computing
Experience at an early-stage startup or in a research lab

What We Offer

Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
Equity options in a high-growth quantum tech company
Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans
Opportunities for professional development in one of the most innovative fields in technology

To Apply: Please send your resume and a short note describing a system you built end to end: the problem, how you structured it, and what you shipped. Links to code you can share (GitHub or similar) are welcome. Email hiring@memq.tech