At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in building the UK's next-generation quantum internet and develop cutting-edge software.
- Company: National Physical Laboratory, a leader in measurement science and technology.
- Benefits: Flexible working, social activities, and a supportive culture for work-life balance.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the evolving field of quantum communications and networking.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills and experience with distributed systems and networking.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
About the Role
- Quantum Network Software engineer/Senior Quantum Network Software engineer
- Help Build the UK’s Next ‑ Generation Quantum Internet
Join the team shaping the next‑generation quantum internet.
We are seeking an experienced Network Engineer to join the Quantum Technology department.
You will build the software infrastructure for the NPL quantum network testbed that will help shape the next era of secure quantum communications.
This permanent position offers the opportunity to work with state‑of‑the‑art systems and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams leading innovation across the global quantum ecosystem.
The focus of this position will be to provide technical expertise, vision and leadership for designing, implementing, and maintaining the control software for a secure and resilient testbed that evolves with the technology landscape and industry requirements.
You will work at the intersection between quantum communications, computing, distributed systems and classical networking, developing the software that enables quantum nodes and communication links to operate as a coordinated network.
Key responsibilities (depending on experience)
- Design and development of the software architecture for quantum network orchestration, integrated with classical networking and cloud infrastructure.
- Implementation of monitoring, control, telemetry, testing and fault‑management capabilities.
- Implementation of algorithms and software for quantum routing, entanglement distribution and resource scheduling.
- Working with quantum protocols and networking standards as they evolve.
- Contributing to the architecture of scalable, secure and interoperable quantum networking platforms.
- Collaborating with multi‑disciplinary teams within NPL.
- Engagement with other quantum networks locally and internationally to evaluate different approaches to implementing network control software.
- Ensuring visibility of NPL’s scientific activities in internal and external fora, e. g. via technical publications and presentations.
- Working inclusively and collaboratively to develop partnership opportunities.
- Representing NPL to promote our work and raise our profile.
About You
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong software engineering experience.
- Experience and a proven track record in developing distributed systems, networking software and orchestration platforms.
- Experience with control stack architectures and internet protocols used in classical communication networks, and the languages and hardware used to implement them.
- Network synchronisation.
- Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and provide technical leadership.
- A rigorous approach to problem solving and ability to develop solutions to challenging problems.
- An inquisitive mind and willingness to interact dynamically with colleagues and collaborators.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Advantageous
- Experience in network segmentation.
- Familiarity with Python, Matlab, Labview.
- Familiarity with quantum information concepts.
- Familiarity with quantum networks.
- Control of quantum networks.
- Knowledge of systems engineering principles.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others.
You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.
To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.
The role is full time on‑site, based at Teddington.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.
We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world‑leading centre of excellence that provides cutting‑edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.
NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria.
Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged.
All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people.
We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.
We are committed to the health and well‑being of our employees.
Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work‑life balance, along with a broad range of benefits.
Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.
To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.
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Quantum Network Software engineer/Senior Quantum Network Software engineer employer: National Physical Laboratory
The National Physical Laboratory in Teddington is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that fosters innovation and professional growth. With a focus on cutting-edge research in power systems, employees benefit from opportunities to develop their skills in a collaborative environment, while enjoying the advantages of working in a prestigious institution dedicated to advancing measurement methods for electricity grid monitoring.
Contact Details:
National Physical Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantum Network Software engineer/Senior Quantum Network Software engineer
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We think you need these skills to ace Quantum Network Software engineer/Senior Quantum Network Software engineer
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Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
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How to prepare for a job interview at National Physical Laboratory
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If National Physical Laboratory uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
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While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
