Software Engineer, Quantum Algorithms (Optimization)

Position Description: A client of AlphaStaffHCM is looking for a Software Engineer with deep expertise in Mathematical Optimization and algorithm development. This role is critical in architecting the core software engine that drives our proprietary photonic quantum processors, combining complex mathematical formulations with physical optical hardware feedback. Responsibilities

• Design and implement the high-performance C++ runtime and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for photonic optimization computers.
• Profile and optimize critical execution paths to minimize latency, addressing bottlenecks in memory bandwidth, cache locality, and data transfer.
• Collaborate with FPGA, Electrical engineers and Firmware engineers to ensure to create, test, and optimize device interfaces.
• Develop algorithmic enhancements to usage of quantum feedback to solve NP hard optimization problems more efficiently with higher solution quality.
• Write efficient, thread-safe code for concurrent hardware control and real-time signal processing.
• Design and implement novel algorithms that map optimization and machine-learning problems onto entropy-based photonic quantum processors, including post-processing pipelines.
• Build software layers to decompose and orchestrate large-scale optimization problems across multiple photonic hardware resources.

• 6+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on systems or HPC.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python
• Strong mathematical background in Convex Optimization, Quadratic Programming (QP), Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP), or Gradient-Free Methods.
• Experience with Numerical Analysis and high-performance math libraries (e.g., BLAS, LAPACK, Eigen).
• Familiarity with protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, gRPC, REST) and software integration.
• Strong understanding of performance tuning, memory management, and fault-tolerant design.
• Familiarity with Linux system programming and build toolchains (CMake, GCC/Clang).
• Experience working in cross-functional teams involving hardware, physics, and software., * Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Computer Science, Physics, or Mathematics.
• Experience with classical optimization solvers (e.g., CPLEX, Gurobi) or heuristic frameworks.
• Familiarity with Open Quantum Systems or optical feedback mechanisms.
• Background in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) or control theory.
• Knowledge of containerized deployment using Docker.