Principal Engineer, Quantum Software Development
About The Position
Outshift is Cisco’s incubation team, and its quantum group runs Cisco Quantum Labs to develop hardware and software for the quantum internet. The group’s work includes an entanglement chip developed with UC Santa Barbara and the Cisco Universal Quantum Switch. It also hosts an annual Quantum Summit. As a Principal Software Engineer and hands-on technical leader, you will guide engineers while contributing to the architecture and development of quantum software and hardware systems. You will develop distributed systems and ensure hardware-software integration for quantum networking initiatives. Drawing on software architecture expertise and a foundational understanding of quantum mechanics, you will help develop quantum control, orchestration, and error correction solutions. Your technical leadership will influence the direction of Cisco’s Quantum Data Center and the future of the quantum internet.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 15 years of related experience, or master’s degree and 12 years of related experience, or Ph.D. and 8 years of related experience, or equivalent related work experience.
- 10 or more years of software engineering experience focused on software architecture, system design, and distributed systems.
- Experience using Golang and/or Python to design and deliver scalable, production-grade applications.
- Experience in a technical leadership or people management role, with continued hands-on contributions to codebases and system architecture.
- Experience in hardware-software integration and co-design, supported by a foundational understanding of quantum mechanics and complex system architectures.
Nice To Haves
- Sophisticated expertise in quantum control and orchestration for quantum networking or computing systems.
- Direct experience developing and implementing error correction and noise mitigation strategies in quantum environments.
- Experience leading innovative technology products from early-stage development to commercial readiness.
- Experience mentoring engineers, fostering an inclusive team culture, and collaborating across cross-functional research and development groups.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Physics, Quantum Engineering, or a related technical field.
Responsibilities
- Guide a team of engineers while remaining hands-on in codebases and system architecture.
- Contribute to the architecture and development of quantum software and hardware systems.
- Develop and implement distributed systems.
- Ensure hardware-software integration for quantum networking initiatives.
- Drive development of quantum control, orchestration, and error correction solutions.
- Influence the technical direction of Cisco’s Quantum Data Center initiatives.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Basic life insurance
- Restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to eligibility and continued employment
- Paid holidays and floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- Birthday day off
- Paid year-end holiday shutdown
- Paid personal wellness days
- Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
- Paid sick time
- Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues
- Optional paid volunteer days
- Annual bonuses may be available for non-sales roles
- Sales incentive compensation may be available for employees on sales plans
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
