Quantum System Architect - Software

Quantum System Architect - Software at Qblox, Delft, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. A mid-level full time position in the Quantum System Architects team, listed under software engineering.

About the role

We need a Software Architect who understands the full stack – from FPGA firmware through embedded systems to high-level C++ and Python APIs – and can design the architecture that ties it all together. You'll own the technical vision for how our control stack scales from 100+ to 1,000+ qubits and beyond. This means understanding constraints at every layer: what the FPGAs can do, how firmware schedules instructions with nanosecond precision, how the compiler can optimize quantum circuits, and how users interact with all of it through clean Python interfaces. In this role, you will balance broad strategic vision with tactical technical depth. We need an architect who can design sophisticated, high-level abstractions while understanding the physical constraints of the hardware. You empower teams by providing the architectural guardrails and technical clarity they need to move fast. You measure your success by how much more effective the engineers around you become. Note: a physics or quantum computing background is nice to have, but not required.

Enough about us, what about you?

Responsibilities

• Define the control stack architecture: Design how firmware, embedded software, compiler, and high-level APIs work together as we scale to thousands of qubits.
• Enable product vision: Work with product managers and application engineers to translate user needs into architectural decisions.
• Set technical direction collaboratively: You will shape our core software and interfaces by bringing people along with you. We’re looking for a leader who unifies teams around a shared technical vision, using deep insight and transparent communication to earn trust and drive decisions.
• Plan for scale: Design and implement solutions that meet immediate business needs while providing a robust foundation capable of scaling 10x without requiring a fundamental re-architecture.
• Bridge teams: Connect with hardware, firmware, software, product, and application engineering teams to help create a shared technical vision.
• Propose standards: Advocate for developer-centric technical standards that reduce friction and spark efficiency.
• Guidance: Act as a trusted mentor and technical advisor, proactively sharing your expertise and guiding teams through complex architectural and design decisions.
• Closing the Feedback Loop : Partner with customer-facing teams and engage directly with users to evaluate the real-world impact of our architecture.
• 10+ years of software engineering with deep experience across multiple layers of the stack. This includes languages such as Python and C/C++.
• Engaging Technical Leader: Act as a trusted and highly sought-after collaborator across engineering teams. You cultivate a vibrant technical culture, turning complex architectural debates into energizing, collaborative problem-solving sessions.

Nice to Have

• Compiler experience: Background in compiler design, ASTs, intermediate representations (IRs), or transpilers.
• Digital signal processing or control systems experience.
• Quantum computing knowledge or scientific computing background.
• Scientific/quantum ecosystem: Experience with quantum or scientific Python software such as Qiskit, Q-CTRL, QUA, Cirq, CUDA-Q, QCoDeS, NumPy, SciPy, xarray, pytest, etc.
• Distributed systems: Coordinating multiple processors or hardware units with tight timing requirements.