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.

What you'll be doing:

• Define the long-term architecture, technical roadmap, and core design principles for the compiler ecosystem, bridging research specifications with production-grade compilation.
• Lead the design and implementation of intermediate representations (IR), domain-specific optimization passes, and low-level code generation targets tailored to physical quantum hardware execution.
• Oversee the evolution, performance, and API design of the internal Python DSL, ensuring a clean abstraction layer for research users constructing pulse-level programs.
• Architect key compiler modules in Python and C++, establishing strict performance, memory, and latency benchmarks for critical compilation pipelines.
• Partner closely with research and quantum hardware teams to validate compiler outputs end-to-end on target QPUs and rapidly translate novel experimental capabilities into robust compiler passes.
• Drive engineering standards, testing frameworks, and code quality across the compiler initiative while mentoring engineers on intermediate representation design and compiler techniques.
• Other duties within the Employee’s skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

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, optimisation passes and code generation.

Strong understanding of systems programming and software architecture.

It would be fantastic (but not essential) if you bring:

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, digitisers, oscilloscopes, SCPI-controlled instruments).
Experience with FPGA development (Verilog, VHDL or HLS).