We are looking to hire an Instrument Control Engineer to join our growing software team. You will work closely with our experimental physics and control hardware development teams to enable their work characterizing, calibrating, and operating novel quantum devices. The ideal candidate should be able to translate high-level science requirements into software implementations (e.g. Python APIs/frameworks, compiler passes, embedded SW, instrument drivers) that are performant, scalable, and intuitive. This requires someone who (1) has a strong desire to work within a team of scientists and engineers, and (2) demonstrates ownership in initiating and driving projects to completion. This role has a particular emphasis on working directly with our control hardware designers and vendors to develop instrument software for test and measurement.
Key job responsibilities
- Work with control hardware developers, as a "subject matter expert" on the software interfaces around our control hardware
- Collaborate with external control hardware vendors to understand and refine integration strategies
- Implement instrument drivers and control logic in Python and/or a low-level languages, including C++ or Rust
- Contribute to our compiler backend to enable the efficient execution of OpenQASM-based experiments on our next-generation control hardware
- Benchmark system performance and help define key performance metrics
- Ensure new features are successfully integrated into our Python-based experimental software stack
- Partner with scientists to actively contribute to the codebase through mentorship and documentation
We are looking for candidates with strong engineering principles, a bias for action, superior problem-solving, and excellent communication skills. Working effectively within a team environment is essential. As an Instrument Control Engineer embedded in a broader science organization, you will have the opportunity to work on new ideas and stay abreast of the field of experimental quantum computation.
A day in the life
Your time will be spent on projects that extend functional capabilities or performance of our internal research software stack. This requires working backwards from the needs of science staff in the context of our larger experimental roadmap. You will translate science and software requirements into design proposals balancing implementation complexity against time-to-delivery. Once a design proposal has been reviewed and accepted, you'll drive implementation and coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure a smooth roll out. Because many high-level experimental goals have cross-cutting requirements, you'll often work closely with other engineers or scientists or on the team.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of professional experience programming in a modern programming language e.g. Java, C++, C#, Python experience
- PhD, or Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
- 1+ years experience with control systems for experimental quantum computing
- Experience working with scientists in a research environment
- Experience with full software development life cycle; including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with embedded software development (e.g. low-level device driver or kernel development)
- Experience with digital signal processing
- Experience with RFSoC platforms
- Experience with standard communication interfaces (USB, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.)
- Experience with compiler development (optimizations or backend code generation)
- Experience with low-latency networking technologies (e.g. RDMA)
- Experience with monitoring and telemetry platforms such as OpenTelemetry
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, Pasadena - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually
