Scientific Software Engineer

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 Mission

Every chip Alice & Bob builds starts as Python code. As we scale from tens of qubits to thousands, our chip-design software becomes the backbone of the entire design pipeline, and it has to support chips that could never be drawn by hand.

About the Role

As a Scientific Software Engineer in the Design and Implementation team , you’ll own the internal framework our engineers use to turn a quantum circuit into a layout and send it to electromagnetic and circuit simulators. You’ll keep it robust and fast, grow its component library, and build the automation our layout and scale-up engineers need to design large chips.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the internal design backend API and qubit design framework: code quality, testing, CI, releases, documentation

• Develop new parametric components and layout primitives with the chip designers who use them

• Extend and harden the export pipeline to electromagnetic and circuit simulation tools

• Build the automation layer for large-scale, hierarchical chip layouts in close partnership with our physical-design and scale-up engineers

• Support internal users: onboarding, debugging, API design, and turning recurring pain points into features

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional Python development, with strong software engineering fundamentals: testing, packaging, versioning, CI/CD, code review

• Solid experience building and maintaining a library or framework used by other engineers, and a taste for clean, well-documented APIs

• Comfort with computational geometry or CAD/layout data (GDSII, polygons, transformations) — or eagerness to learn it fast

• Ability to work closely with hardware engineers and translate their needs into software

• Fluent English and excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice to have:

• Experience with gdstk, gdsfactory, KLayout, or other layout tooling

• Familiarity with electromagnetic simulation tools (HFSS/AEDT, Palace) or circuit simulators

• Background in superconducting circuits, RF/microwave engineering, or semiconductor design automation (EDA)

Recruitment Process

• Screening Call with Grace, Talent Acquisition Specialist (30 min)

• Hiring Manager Interview with Felix (45 min)

• Technical Interview/Presentation with the Team (120 min)

• Leadership Team Interview (30 min)

• Fit Interview (45 min)

• Reference check

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 P arental 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.