At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise software for cutting-edge quantum control systems.
- Company: Join ORCA Computing, a leader in quantum technology innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and contribute to real-world quantum solutions.
- Why this job: Be part of a revolutionary team transforming the future of computing.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering skills, especially in Python; C++ or Rust knowledge is a plus.
Department: Products
Reports to: Head of Software
Job Type: Full time
Location: Central London, Hybrid
About us
ORCA Computing is at the forefront of a new era in high-performance computing, developing full-stack photonic quantum systems designed to transform how organizations tackle machine learning, generative AI, and complex optimization challenges. Headquartered in London, ORCA has delivered eleven on-premises quantum computers worldwide, demonstrating that its technology is not theoretical but already delivering real-world results. At the core of ORCA’s innovation is its hybrid quantum-classical architecture, engineered for seamless integration into existing AI and HPC infrastructure.
What will you do
- Design, build, and optimize core systems software (Python, C++, and/or Rust) that runs our leading quantum control and orchestration stack in production.
- Take ownership of one or more critical platform areas – delivering measurable improvements in latency, throughput, reliability, and operability for on-prem deployments.
- Deliver low-latency interfaces between quantum hardware and classical compute, with clear performance targets and benchmarking.
- Partner with hardware and physics teams to integrate new platforms (e.g., FPGAs, lasers, and other scientific instrumentation) from prototype through to robust operation.
- Build and improve CI/CD, observability, and deployment tooling so software releases are safer, faster, and easier to operate in a data center environment.
- Profile and optimize system performance end-to-end, turning bottlenecks into concrete engineering work and validating improvements with data.
- Influence system architecture and technical direction by proposing designs, documenting trade-offs, and making pragmatic decisions alongside the team.
- Raise engineering quality through code reviews, testing strategy, and simple, maintainable interfaces that scale with the company.
- Work cross-functionally (engineering, physics, product) to translate customer and internal needs into software that makes the overall system more capable and dependable.
What will you bring
- Strong software engineering fundamentals and experience shipping production systems.
- Proficiency in Python.
- Good working knowledge of C++ or Rust would also be useful.
- Experience in one or more of: low-latency systems, Linux systems programming, high-performance networking, embedded development, GPU programming, or FPGA/software-hardware integration.
- Comfortable with modern development practices: code review, testing, version control (git), and CI/CD.
- Ability to debug and performance-profile complex systems (latency/throughput/resource utilization), and to turn findings into reliable fixes.
- Degree in computer science, electrical engineering, physics, or another quantitative field – or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience in working in commercial organizations and/or deep tech.
Nice to have
- Experience integrating hardware-adjacent systems into on-prem/data center environments.
- Knowledge of digital signal processing, data acquisition, timing synchronization, telecommunications, and/or RF electronics.
- Experience with observability stacks (e.g. Prometheus/InfluxDB), incident response, and operating software in production.
Joining ORCA Computing offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of quantum technology, where innovation is already delivering real-world impact. Across commercial, operational, and product roles, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to bring advanced quantum systems to market and help integrate quantum capabilities into modern AI and data center ecosystems.
Software Engineer (Systems / Quantum Control / Platform Engineering) employer: ORCA Computing Ltd
At ORCA Computing, we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of quantum technology, offering our employees a unique opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that have real-world applications. Our collaborative and innovative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, allowing you to take ownership of your designs while working alongside experts in various fields. Located in London, we provide a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the future of computing, all while enjoying the vibrant culture of one of the world's most exciting cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Systems / Quantum Control / Platform Engineering)
✨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 ORCA Computing Ltd 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 ORCA Computing Ltd.
✨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 ORCA Computing Ltd.
✨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 ORCA Computing Ltd 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 (Systems / Quantum Control / Platform Engineering)
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 ORCA Computing Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at ORCA Computing Ltd 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 ORCA Computing Ltd
✨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 ORCA Computing Ltd 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.
