Senior Compiler Engineer

Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid 

Salary: £70,000 to £90,000, DOE  

We will also consider part-time applications for this role. Please indicate your preferred working schedule in your cover letter. 

We are able to consider a range of levels of experience, and are therefore advertising this role at different levels of seniority. Please apply to the role you feel best suits your skills and experience.  

Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. 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.  

Studies have shown that women tend to apply to jobs if they meet all or almost all of the requirements whereas men apply even if they meet only some of the requirements. If that sounds like you then please apply - we are happy to review your application and let you know if we think you might be a good fit.  

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. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion.  

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. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast.  

 About the role 

Our Software team’s mission is to enable anyone to be able to write and run a fault tolerant program on a quantum computer. The compiler is a critical part of this toolchain. This role is a fantastic opportunity to help us build and ship this toolchain for use by our hardware partners. The Senior role involves owning and leading parts of the software stack. 

You could have a background in computer science, maths or physics. You might have experience in building classical compilers, or in designing fault tolerant logic representations. You will bring your background, experience and passion for learning new things to build Riverlane’s software stack. The stack encodes Riverlane’s novel QEC codes and real-time decoder interfaces into a greenfield, modern LLVM MLIR-based compiler. You will help Riverlane build the critical compilation and runtime systems needed for large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers. 

Riverlane’s mission is exciting, but complex. It requires teams with a wide range of skills and perspectives, that communicate well and collaborate effectively to achieve truly innovative solutions. You will thrive in an environment where knowledge-sharing and continuous learning are the norm. We are moving fast in a brand-new market, where requirements change as the technology evolves, so the ability to adapt is important. 

 What you will do 

• Design and build system tools such as compilers, emulators, profilers and debuggers  

• Design and implement correct, maintainable compiler optimizations, transformations, and analyses across multiple IR levels. 

• Own a substantial part of the software stack for error-corrected quantum computing systems  

• Mentor, guide and lead engineers in the team 

• Lead collaboration with other engineering teams to integrate their software and hardware artifacts with the compiler 

• Work with scientists and engineers to implement new error correcting codes, and runtimes for new decoders  

  What we need 

• Curiosity to learn new things  

• Experience of working collaboratively, with a diverse range of people  

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal  

• Broad knowledge of the whole software and hardware stack: compilers, operating systems, computer architectures  

• Experience in compilers (LLVM MLIR or others), in particular experience in middle- and back-end areas such as IR design, optimization passes, instruction selection, etc.  

• Experience of shipping software to users  

• Proficiency in Python; proficiency in C++ or Rust  

• Interest in working in the quantum open-source ecosystem

What can you 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'. Your covering letter should explain why you are applying for the job and what skills and experience you can bring to the role. 

We review CVs as we receive them and interview as soon as we have applications that look like a good match. We do not use closing dates. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this role. 

If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help.  

If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]. 

GDPR notice: Riverlane collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a European Job Applicant see the privacy notice  for further details.