Senior Staff Software Engineer
Alice & Bob · Paris, France · 9mo ago
Staff / Lead / PrincipalHybridSoftware Engineering
Alice & Bob is developing the first universal, fault-tolerant quantum computer to solve the world’s hardest problems.
The quantum computer we envision building is based on a new kind of superconducting qubit: the Schrödinger cat qubit 🐈⬛. In comparison to other superconducting platforms, cat qubits have the astonishing ability to implement quantum error correction autonomously!
We're a diverse team of 250+ brilliant minds from over 35 countries united by a single goal: to revolutionise computing with a practical fault-tolerant quantum machine. Are you ready to take on unprecedented challenges and contribute to revolutionising technology? Join us, and let's shape the future of quantum computing together!
About the role:
As a Senior Staff Engineer, you will own the architecture and evolution of the software infrastructure that enables our quantum processors to operate reliably, scalably, and autonomously.
You will design the foundations for error-correction frameworks and quantum compilation stack, data flows, storage systems, orchestration layers, and automation pipelines that turn a raw quantum chip into a usable, production-grade QPU product deployable in HPC, on-prem structures, and cloud environments.
This role is at the intersection of deep system design, data engineering, and quantum control infrastructure. You will work closely with low-level hardware/software teams, quantum theorists, data engineers, and operations teams to shape the architecture that supports the next generation of scalable, error-corrected quantum computing.
Responsibilities:
- Define and lead the architecture of the Quantum Infrastructure layer that sits between low-level control software and user-facing services.
- Partner with quantum hardware & control SW teams to integrate requirements for qubit calibration, stabilization loops, and error correction cycles.
- Design the software backbone that supports real-time and near-real-time feedback between hardware, error-correction logic, and automation systems.
- Architect the data and service layers needed to support quantum error-correction frameworks, lattice configurations, syndrome extraction workflows, decoding, and long-term state tracking.
- Define long term and robust quantum circuit compilation stack enabling easy integration with various frameworks and high upgradability
- Act as a technical authority for all topics related to quantum infra and scalable data systems.
- Mentor senior engineers, influence technical direction across hardware, data, and platform teams.
- Drive long-term architectural strategy, technical roadmap, and cross-organizational alignment
Quantum Infrastructure Architecture
Error-Correction & Logical System Support
Leadership & Cross-Team Impact
Requirements:
- 12+ years building large-scale, high-reliability systems, infra layers, or scientific platforms.
- Demonstrated experience architecting complex infrastructure and data-heavy distributed systems.
- Superior engineering proficiency in Python, async frameworks, service design, data orchestration, and performance optimization.
- Deep expertise with storage technologies across SQL, NoSQL, timeseries, object storage, and distributed filesystems.
- Hands-on experience with automation systems (schedulers, workflow engines, configuration graphs, data pipelines).
- Ability to define clean abstractions and synchronization mechanisms for hardware/software interaction loops.
- Excellent understanding of containerization, k8s, reproducible environments, multi-tenant architecture, and hybrid HPC/cloud deployments.
- Strong leadership abilities: can influence across teams, align with research & hardware groups, drive modernization, and ensure execution at scale.
Bonus Skills:
- Familiarity with scientific environments, low-level instrumentation flows, or experimental automation.
- Knowledge of distributed scheduling (SLURM, Kubernetes batch, Ray, Dask, etc.) and HPC environment specifics.
- Experience delivering a hardware-backed product (accelerators, HPC nodes, scientific instruments) to external users.
- Knowledge of Rust, C++, or Go for performance-critical or system-level components.
Recruitment Process:
- Screening call with Doriane (30 min)
- Hiring Manager Interview (45 min)
- Technical Interview with the Team (60 min)
- Leadership Interview (30 min)
- Fit Interview (30 min)
- Reference check
Research shows that women might feel hesitant to apply for this job if they don't match 100% of the job requirements listed. This list is a guide, and we'd love to receive your application even if you think you're only a partial match. We are looking to build teams that innovate, not just tick boxes on a job spec. You will join of one of the most innovative startups in France at an early stage, to be part of a passionate and friendly team on its mission to build the first universal quantum computer! We love to share and learn from one another, so you will be certain to innovate, develop new ideas, and have the space to grow.
Research shows that women might feel hesitant to apply for this job if they don't match 100% of the job requirements listed. This list is a guide, and we'd love to receive your application even if you think you're only a partial match. We are looking to build teams that innovate, not just tick boxes on a job spec.
You will join of one of the most innovative startups in France at an early stage, to be part of a passionate and friendly team on its mission to build the first universal quantum computer!
We love to share and learn from one another, so you will be certain to innovate, develop new ideas, and have the space to grow.
Benefits:
- Our success is your success: own it with our BSPCE plan
- Direct IP Compensation: Earn substantial bonuses for driving the core patents that define our quantum architecture.
- Flexible remote policy, up to 40 % a month
- A Parental plan including additional benefits such as crèche support or additional days-off to take care of under 12 years old children
- Subsidized membership with Urban Sports Club
- Mental health support with moka.care
- 25-day vacation policy (as per French law) + RTT
- Half of transportation cost coverage (as per French law), or yearly allowance for the die-hard bicycle users
- Competitive health coverage, with Alan.
- Meal vouchers with Swile, as well as access to a fully equipped and regularly stocked kitchen
- French language courses covered by the company for those interested
Research shows that women might feel hesitant to apply for this job if they don't match 100% of the job requirements listed. This list is a guide, and we'd love to receive your application even if you think you're only a partial match. We are looking to build teams that innovate, not just tick boxes on a job spec.
You will join of one of the most innovative startups in France at an early stage, to be part of a passionate and friendly team on its mission to build the first universal quantum computer!
We love to share and learn from one another, so you will be certain to innovate, develop new ideas, and have the space to grow.