At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of Deltakit, shaping its direction and enhancing user experience.
- Company: Join Riverlane, a leader in quantum error correction technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and equity options.
- Other info: Diverse work environment with excellent growth opportunities and a focus on learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in quantum computing and contribute to groundbreaking research.
- Qualifications: Strong foundation in software development, especially in Python, and collaborative skills.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 95000 £ per year.
Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent
Salary: 81,000 - 95,000 DOE
About us
Riverlane’s mission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. Having raised more than $125M in funding to date to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), Riverlane partners with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality.
About the role
At Riverlane, our mission is to make it possible for anyone to write and run fault-tolerant programs on a quantum computer. A key part of that mission is Deltakit, our open-source, user-facing platform for building, simulating and interpreting QEC experiments. As a Senior Software Engineer, you will own and lead the development of Deltakit, shaping its direction and ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of a growing and highly technical user community.
You will take cutting-edge ideas from the forefront of QEC and turn them into robust, intuitive software that researchers can rely on. Day to day, this means driving the design and delivery of new features, improving performance and usability, and ensuring the platform scales as adoption grows. You’ll play a key role in planning and prioritising the development roadmap, aligning technical delivery with research milestones, user needs, and broader organisational goals, as well as defining technical direction, making architectural decisions, and setting the standard for high-quality, well-engineered code.
By engaging with researchers, engineers and the wider QEC community, you’ll help support adoption of Deltakit, understand how it’s being used in practice, and translate real-world feedback into meaningful improvements. You’ll also play a key role in planning and prioritising the development roadmap, aligning technical delivery with research milestones, user needs, and broader organisational goals. Through this, you’ll ensure the software not only reflects the latest research but is accessible, reliable and impactful.
Riverlane operates at the forefront of a fast-moving and evolving field. As priorities shift and the technology develops, you’ll help guide the platform forward through both technical leadership and thoughtful planning, bringing clarity, direction and momentum to complex challenges, and playing a central role in advancing Riverlane’s leadership in QEC software.
What you will do
- Lead significant parts of both the internal and external software stack for error-corrected quantum computing systems.
- Turn internal tools into external and public ones.
- Own the complete software cycle process: design, development, testing, builds, workflows, releases.
- Mentor, guide and lead engineers in the team.
- Lead collaboration with other engineering teams to integrate their software and hardware artifacts with Deltakit.
- Engage with the community of users and researchers to identify needs and formulate adequate response.
- Contribute actively to open-source projects and lead the Deltakit open-source community.
- Organise and run workshops and tutorials for the community of users.
What we need
- Strong technical foundation (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics or similar).
- Experience designing and building high-quality scientific or technical software, primarily in Python.
- Ability to translate complex, research-driven concepts into robust, scalable and user-friendly solutions.
- Broad understanding of software systems (e.g. compilers, operating systems, computer architecture).
- Experience shipping software to users and maintaining high engineering standards.
- Curiosity and a strong drive to learn and solve complex problems.
- Collaborative mindset, with experience working across diverse teams.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to shape technical direction, drive best practices, and support others through mentorship and leadership.
- Interest in contributing to the quantum open-source ecosystem.
Even better if you have
- Experience with a strongly typed language (e.g. C++ or Rust).
What you can expect from us
- A comprehensive benefits package that includes an annual bonus plan, private medical insurance, life insurance, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Equity, so that our team can share in the long-term success of Riverlane.
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave.
- A diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory, physics and maths) and over 20 different nationalities.
- A learning environment that encourages individual, team and company growth and development, including a regular programme of learning events and training and conference budgets.
How to apply
Please upload a CV and covering letter by clicking 'Apply Now'. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this role.
We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity.
Women and other underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all or nearly all the requirements. We will be happy to help.
Senior Software Development/Engineer in Cambridge employer: Riverlane
Riverlane is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead pioneering research in quantum computing within the vibrant academic and tech hub of Cambridge. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity, employees benefit from a comprehensive package that includes bonuses and equity, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a cutting-edge field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Development/Engineer in Cambridge
✨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 Riverlane 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 Riverlane.
✨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 Riverlane.
✨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 Riverlane 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 Senior Software Development/Engineer in Cambridge
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 Riverlane.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Riverlane 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 Riverlane
✨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 Riverlane 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.
