AC
Posted 1w ago

Principal Software Engineer - Control Systems

Atom Computing
Boulder or Austin
$165k-$200k/yrHybridFull Time
Responsibilities
  • building firmware
  • designing software
  • orchestrating hardware
Requirements
  • 8+ years experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE or related
  • Expertise in embedded/real-time systems
  • Firmware
  • GPU/FPGA orchestration
  • Proficiency in C++/Python/Rust/Go and CUDA
Technical tools mentioned
RustPythonC/C++GoCUDANVIDIA CUDAGPUFPGALinuxRTOSSDR

Job description

At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to help design and build the high-performance control systems that drive our next-generation quantum computing platforms. In this role, you’ll work across embedded software, real-time systems, GPU/FPGA acceleration, and hardware orchestration to deliver deterministic, high-throughput control pipelines. Your work will directly shape how our quantum processors operate, scale, and perform.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who loves deep systems work, understands hardware/software co-design, and thrives at the intersection of physics, architecture, and performance engineering. Due to the need for collaboration with Atom’s theory, software and hardware teams, this role is required to be in the office in Boulder or Austin at least 3 days per week. 



Job Responsibilities
  • Build and test embedded firmware and software powering high-speed software defined radios (SDRs), imaging pipelines, precision scientific instrumentation, and real-time digital feedback loops.
  • Design and optimize deterministic, low-latency software for quantum hardware — including device drivers, Linux kernel modules, and custom subsystems.
  • Evaluate and architect real-time execution strategies across Linux and RTOS environments; drive design decisions around determinism, throughput, and system scalability.
  • Develop orchestration layers coordinating GPUs, FPGAs, and custom electronics for high-bandwidth, tightly synchronized quantum control operations.
  • Rapidly prototype and iterate using Rust, Python, C/C++, and CUDA
  • Collaborate with quantum theorists, hardware engineers, and platform software teams to translate quantum control flows into fast, reliable, production-ready code.


  • Experience & Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree a plus
  • At least 8 years of relevant postgraduate professional experience


  • Qualifications
  • Proficiency in software development using C++, Python, Rust, or Go; experience with NVIDIA CUDA toolchains and ability to apply these skills in rapid prototyping and production systems. 
  • Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: computer architecture, signal processing, algorithm development, quantum error correction, distributed systems, or compilers, with a willingness to learn across disciplines as needed.
  • Organizational, coordination, and multi-tasking expertise.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills involving large-scale systems.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to teamwork


  • Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance.  We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!

    The base salary range for this position is between $165,000 - $200,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

    About Atom Computing

    Building scalable quantum computers using arrays of neutral atoms.

    Year founded
    2018

    Similar jobs

    Software Engineer roles near Boulder, Colorado
    7h
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Senior Software Engineer, Sensor Fusion
    Broomfield or Fort Collins
    $190k-$252k/yr OnsiteFull Time
    Anduril Industries
    Anduril Industries: Defense technology building autonomous military hardware and software.
    8+ YOE8+ years software engineering experience, Bachelor\u0002s or equivalent, mentoring experience, strong C/C++ and Python, NoSQL and big-data familiarity, machine learning and applied math, controls/DSP experience, eligible for U.S. Top Secret/SCI clearance.
    C++, C, Python, NoSQL, CI/CD, git, Lattice OS, GPU
    9h
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Software Engineer (5489) (Boulder, CO) (Secret)
    Boulder, Colorado, United States
    $110k-$140k/yr OnsiteFull Time
    SMX
    SMX: Provides digital transformation and mission-critical IT solutions.
    5+ YOEActive DoD Secret clearance, U.S. citizenship,5+ years C++ experience, Unreal Engine and Linux proficiency, background screening, strong problem-solving and communication skills.
    C++, Unreal Engine, Linux, Python, Javascript/Typescript, Jira, Confluence, Gitlab, Gitlab Runner, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm Charts
    16h
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Battle Management Software Engineer
    Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States
    $110k-$190k/yr OnsiteFull Time
    York Space Systems
    York Space SystemsNYSE: YSS: Designs and manufactures modular spacecraft platforms and mission solutions.
    3+ YOEBachelor's in CS or related,3+ years software engineering with frontend/web focus,Linux and Git experience,mentoring and collaboration skills,ability to obtain security clearance.
    Node.js, TypeScript, React, PostgreSQL, Python, Docker, Git, WebGL, Linux, CI/CD
    22h
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Software Engineer I
    Loveland, Colorado, United States
    $80k-$119k/yr OnsiteFull Time
    Nordson
    NordsonNasdaq: NDSN: Manufactures precision dispensing and fluid management equipment for industry.
    3+ YOE3–6 years full-stack C#/.NET experience building ASP.NET Core APIs and web UIs, relational DB skills, CI/CD and DevOps, Azure and AI exposure preferred.
    C#, .NET, ASP.NET Core, Blazor, MAUI, gRPC, GraphQL, IFS, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, EF Core, Dapper, CI/CD, Git, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Azure Functions, Microsoft Azure Key Vault, Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, Microsoft Azure App Configuration, Microsoft Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Azure AI Search, Semantic Kernel, Docker, Hangfire, Duende IdentityServer, ASP.NET Identity
    22h
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Software Engineer Principal - JAVA/Spring/API/Oracle/
    Dallas or Denver or Jacksonville or Pittsburgh or Lakewood or Phoenix or Cleveland or Miamisburg or Birmingham or Strongsville
    $65k-$166k/yr OnsiteFull Time
    PNC Financial Services
    PNC Financial ServicesNYSE: PNC: Provides banking, lending, and investment services to customers.
    5+ YOE5+ years industry experience; strong Core Java (Java 11+/Java 17), API and microservices design, Oracle/SQL, unit testing, CI/CD, cloud/container experience; strong communication and Agile experience.
    Java, Spring Boot, Spring JPA, Spring Batch, Kafka, Kubernetes, OpenShift, Oracle, SQL, MySQL, Redis, Hibernate, Spock, JUnit, SonarQube, Jenkins, Dynatrace, Logscale, Gradle, Maven
    1d
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Senior Software Engineer
    San Francisco or Denver or Nashville or Santiago
    $185k-$218k/yr HybridFull Time
    Checkr
    Checkr: AI-powered platform for background checks and identity verification.
    5+ YOEBS/MS in CS or engineering,5+ years full-stack experience,knowledge of Ruby (Rails) and Javascript (React),startup experience,ability to build scalable APIs and own end-to-end product delivery.
    Ruby (Rails), Javascript (React), container orchestration, observability tooling, scrapers
    1d
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Software Engineer - AI/ML
    United States or Denver
    RemoteFull Time
    Violet Labs
    Violet Labs: Centralized data platform for complex hardware engineering teams.
    2+ YOE2+ years software engineering experience; experience developing, deploying and monitoring AI products and RAG pipelines; strong communication and collaboration skills.
    React, Next.js, TypeScript/Node.js, NestJS, TypeORM, PostgreSQL, GraphQL/REST APIs
    1d
    Save
    Mark Applied
    Hide
    Senior Software Engineer
    Aurora, Colorado, United States
    $110k-$164k/yr HybridFull Time
    Children's Hospital Colorado
    Children's Hospital Colorado: Provides comprehensive pediatric medical and surgical healthcare services.
    5+ YOEBachelor's degree and 5+ years related experience; strong skills in ASP.NET,C#,Node.js,React,Azure; experience with EMR not mentioned; on-call support and production troubleshooting experience.
    ASP.NET, C#, Node.js, React, Azure, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)