Senior Software Engineer - Photonic Applications (f/m/d)

Q.ANT GmbH • Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg

6d

About The Position

The future of AI computing builds on light. Q.ANT is building photonic processing systems that compute with light - delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and HPC applications. As Senior Software Engineer - Photonic Applications, you'll bridge cutting-edge photonic hardware and real-world applications. Your work creates the evidence that photonic computing works: compelling demos, developer enablement, and direct partner collaboration that turn hardware capabilities into tangible success stories. You'll work across the full stack – from performance-optimized algorithms to developer-facing documentation – helping partners, clients, and investors understand why computing with light is the future.

Requirements

• 5+ years in software engineering across the stack with strong proficiency in Python plus C/C++ respectively Rust for performance-critical components
• 5+ years working in the context of external partners, clients, or developer communities
• Deep expertise in AI algorithms and scientific computing (PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow) with understanding of hardware acceleration architectures and performance optimization
• Familiarity with Open Source development workflows and tooling (GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, test frameworks, Jupyter notebooks, package distribution)
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related technical field
• Fluent in English

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing demos/PoCs for novel hardware platforms and creating technical enablement content for developers is a plus
• German is a plus

Responsibilities

• Figure out how algorithms make a difference with photonics
• Optimize algorithms and develop performance-critical code (Python, C/C++, Rust) to demonstrate the full potential of photonic hardware through compelling performance benchmarks
• Collaborate with algorithms and software ecosystem teams to refine architectural designs and provide structured feedback from real-world applications
• Work with external partners and clients on use cases and proof-of-concepts that demonstrate the value of photonic computing for AI and scientific workloads
• Build developer-facing assets: tutorials, reference implementations, demos, benchmarks, Jupyter notebooks, and documentation that enable developers to write optimized code for photonic hardware
• Deliver public presentations, workshops, and technical briefings on photonic computing applications
• Manage stakeholder expectations and project timelines across client engagements and partner collaborations
• Contribute to Q.ANT's Open Source initiatives and developer ecosystem

Benefits

• Make impact at scale: Help solve one of computing's biggest challenges – making growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in hand
• Work on the leading edge: Photonic AI acceleration technologies that will define the next decade of computing – already validated in production HPC environments
• Own your work from day one: Shape design and code of software, client solutions, and public collaterals on your own, with direct impact on product success and the future of AI infrastructure
• Fast-track your growth: Work on challenges with few industry precedents – every problem you solve becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry-defining IP
• Be the multiplier: Your work enables entire developer communities and directly helps clients succeed with photonic computing
• World-class team: Collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts in photonics, processor design, and AI software
• Direct access to leadership: Work closely with the company's founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and the Q.ANT senior leadership team
• Collaborative culture: Innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solving
• Be part of history: Join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream – your contributions will shape this transformation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior