At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop software for quantum computers and tackle complex technical challenges.
- Company: Join OQC, a leader in quantum computing innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with mentorship opportunities and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the future of technology with cutting-edge projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, strong Python skills, and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Software Engineer
At OQC, we aren't just theorising about the future; we're building it.
Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we've transitioned quantum computing from an academic ambition into a commercial reality—and we're just getting started.
The Purpose
Build the software that supports the production and operation of OQC's quantum computers.
As a Software Engineer, you'll develop reliable, secure and maintainable solutions for complex technical challenges.
You'll take ownership of projects across the software-development lifecycle, working with stakeholders to understand their needs and turning those requirements into production-ready systems.
The Role
Working within OQC's Software team—or embedded within another technical team you'll contribute broad software-engineering expertise while developing deeper knowledge in specialist areas.
You'll work across greenfield and established codebases, designing new systems, improving existing software and resolving issues in development and production.
You'll assess technical options and their wider implications, communicate recommendations clearly and collaborate with engineers and stakeholders throughout delivery.
Alongside your own development work, you'll contribute to code reviews, pair programming, quality assurance and knowledge-sharing.
You'll also help less-experienced engineers develop their technical capabilities through practical support, mentoring and constructive feedback.
- What You'll Be Working On
- Own assigned software projects from requirements gathering and solution design through to prototyping, testing, deployment and evaluation.
- Design new systems and technical approaches, assessing trade-offs such as performance, security, maintainability, complexity, cost and resource requirements.
- Develop and maintain clean, reliable software that meets agreed functional and non-functional requirements, supported by clear user and developer documentation.
- Diagnose and resolve issues across development and production environments, identifying blockers early and proposing practical solutions before escalating complex decisions.
- Review and rigorously test code, participate in pair programming and work with peers to determine when solutions are ready for production.
- Identify opportunities to automate quality-assurance and documentation activities, including the development and maintenance of CI/CD pipelines.
- Share technical knowledge through mentoring, training and internal events, while representing OQC through conferences, collaborative programmes or publications where appropriate.
- What We’re Looking For
- Experience delivering multiple software projects across the full development lifecycle.
- Experience working successfully across both greenfield and brownfield codebases.
- Hands-on experience debugging issues in development and production environments.
- Experience maintaining software across multiple tiers of a system.
- Strong Python knowledge, including familiarity with commonly used Python libraries.
- A strong understanding of software data structures, programming methods and core computer-science concepts.
- Knowledge of object-oriented analysis and design, code structure, algorithms, operating systems, networking, HTTP and data management.
- The ability to design complex systems from initial requirements through to production deployment.
- The ability to understand and clearly explain the architecture of the codebases you work with.
- Experience with functional-programming approaches.
- Knowledge of containerisation using Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines that support quality assurance and rapid release.
- The ability to coach colleagues in complex technical areas and help improve engineering performance.
- Graduate-level knowledge, or equivalent professional experience, in computer science and a numerical discipline.
- An adaptable, detail-focused and quality-driven approach, supported by strong communication, time-management, problem-solving and innovation skills.
- The 'Nice-to-Haves'
- Experience delivering software products that are demonstrably fit for end users.
- Familiarity with message brokers or data-streaming technologies.
- Experience working with relational and non-relational databases.
- Experience contributing outside your core software specialism, such as testing, product ownership or platform engineering.
- Experience developing containerised microservices for deployment across global environments.
- Familiarity with modern cloud infrastructure, including Azure or AWS.
- Experience developing web applications within the Python ecosystem.
- Experience designing or building user interfaces.
- Working knowledge of Java Script or Type Script, HTML and CSS, alongside frameworks or runtimes such as React, Angular or Node. js.
- A degree in computer science or another relevant subject.
- Leadership or monitoring experience within a software-engineering environment.
- Why Join OQC
You'll join a multidisciplinary team solving software challenges at the intersection of advanced engineering and quantum computing.
This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of software from initial concept through to production, work across a broad and technically demanding platform, and see your solutions contribute directly to the development and operation of OQC's quantum computers.
You'll also have the opportunity to broaden your technical expertise, share knowledge with other engineers and help shape the engineering practices that support OQC's continued growth.
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Software Engineer in Reading employer: OQC
At OQC, we are not just theorising about the future; we are actively shaping it. As an Associate Quantum Engineer, you will be part of a pioneering team that thrives on bold innovation and collaboration, working with cutting-edge technology in a supportive environment. With access to unique lab infrastructure and opportunities for continuous learning and growth, OQC is committed to fostering a positive work culture where your contributions can redefine the limits of quantum computing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer in Reading
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at OQC or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to OQC.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like OQC.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like OQC that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
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.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at OQC.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at OQC and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at OQC
✨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 OQC 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.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
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.
