Quantum Compiler Engineer​

Kurz zusammengefasst

planqc is a spin‑off from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics that builds digital quantum computers using neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezers. Based in Garching near Munich, the company's software team delivers the full stack that converts a quantum program into the laser pulses and atom‑movement commands executed by the hardware. The opening is for a Senior / Lead Quantum Compiler & ISA Engineer who will shape how programs are compiled for this neutral‑atom platform, overseeing the compiler architecture, intermediate representations, and instruction set across all abstraction levels. On a day‑to‑day basis the engineer will design and evolve a multi‑level compiler, creating dialects that span logical circuits, native gates, atom layouts and shuttling operations. They will devise analysis and optimisation passes guided by hardware cost models such as fidelity, timing and atom‑loss budgets, and ensure compatibility with standards like OpenQASM 3 and QIR. Defining the instruction set at each level, they will manage the interface to the control system, set timing guarantees and constraints, and coordinate versioning as hardware evolves. Tooling work includes building IR visualisations, pass diffing, atom‑position schedules, replay of failed jobs, and adding verifiers, property‑based tests and equivalence checks. The role also involves providing resource‑estimation tools for algorithm and quantum‑error‑correction teams and contributing to the next generation of compilers for error‑corrected machines. As a technical leader, the engineer will document architecture decisions, review designs and code, and represent compilation in hardware co‑design discussions and open‑source or standards communities. The position requires a PhD or MSc in computer science, physics or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience, together with at least three years of experience building compilers, IR‑based tools or language toolchains in either industry or research. Candidates must have deep, hands‑on expertise with MLIR or xDSL, or with LLVM or a comparable SSA‑based infrastructure, and a proven record of defining compiler architecture and delivering it to production. Strong Python knowledge is essential, as is the ability to reason about hardware aspects such as instruction sets, timing, scheduling and resource constraints. An interest in quantum computing and collaboration with physicists is expected, though prior quantum experience is not mandatory. Additional, desirable skills include proficiency in other programming languages such as C++ or Rust, familiarity with quantum compilation frameworks like Qiskit, Qrisp, tket, Cirq, CUDA‑Q, Catalyst or Kirin/Bloqade, and experience with quantum error correction, stabilizer simulation (e.g., Stim) or logical‑level compilation. Experience with GPU optimisation and a history of open‑source contributions or private projects are also valued. What the role asks for: - PhD or MSc in CS, physics or related field, or equivalent experience - 3+ years building compilers, IR tools or language toolchains - Deep hands‑on experience with MLIR, xDSL, LLVM or comparable SSA infrastructure - Proven track record of setting compiler architecture and delivering production code - Strong Python knowledge - Ability to reason about hardware instruction sets, timing, scheduling and resource constraints - Interest in quantum computing and collaboration with physicists - Nice to have: proficiency in C++ or Rust - Nice to have: experience with quantum compilation tools (Qiskit, Qrisp, tket, Cirq, CUDA‑Q, Catalyst, Kirin/Bloqade) - Nice to have: quantum error correction, stabilizer simulation (Stim) or logical‑level compilation - Nice to have: GPU optimisation experience - Nice to have: open‑source contributions or private projects