Senior Software Engineer - Open Source

Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent

Salary: £81,000 - £95,000 DOE

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 are making remarkable progress and growing fast. 

About the role

At Riverlane, our mission is to make it possible for anyone to write and run fault-tolerant programs on a quantum computer. A key part of that mission is Deltakit, our open-source, user-facing platform for building, simulating and interpreting QEC experiments. As a Senior Software Engineer, you will own and lead the development of Deltakit, shaping its direction and ensuring it evolves to meet the needs of a growing and highly technical user community.

This role sits at the intersection of research and engineering. You will take cutting-edge ideas from the forefront of QEC and turn them into robust, intuitive software that researchers can rely on. Day to day, this means driving the design and delivery of new features, improving performance and usability, and ensuring the platform scales as adoption grows. You’ll play a key role in planning and prioritising the development roadmap, aligning technical delivery with research milestones, user needs, and broader organisational goals, as well as defining technical direction, making architectural decisions, and setting the standard for high-quality, well-engineered code.

You will also be closely connected to the people who use what we build. By engaging with researchers, engineers and the wider QEC community, you’ll help support adoption of Deltakit, understand how it’s being used in practice, and translate real-world feedback into meaningful improvements. You’ll also play a key role in planning and prioritising the development roadmap, aligning technical delivery with research milestones, user needs, and broader organisational goals. Through this, you’ll ensure the software not only reflects the latest research, but is accessible, reliable and impactful.

Riverlane operates at the forefront of a fast-moving and evolving field. You’ll work as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team where ideas are shared openly and learning is continuous. As priorities shift and the technology develops, you’ll help guide the platform forward through both technical leadership and thoughtful planning, bringing clarity, direction and momentum to complex challenges, and playing a central role in advancing Riverlane’s leadership in QEC software.

What you will do

• Lead significant parts of both the internal and external software stack for error-corrected quantum computing systems  
• Turn internal tools into external and public ones. Own the complete software cycle process: design, development, testing, builds, workflows, releases
• Mentor, guide and lead engineers in the team
• Lead collaboration with other engineering teams to integrate their software and hardware artifacts with Deltakit
• Engage with the community of users and researchers to identify needs and formulate adequate response
• Contribute actively to open-source projects and lead the Deltakit open-source community
• Organise and run workshops and tutorials for the community of users

What we need

We are considering a range 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.

• Strong technical foundation (e.g. computer science, mathematics, physics or similar)
• Experience designing and building high-quality scientific or technical software, primarily in Python
• Ability to translate complex, research-driven concepts into robust, scalable and user-friendly solutions
• Broad understanding of software systems (e.g. compilers, operating systems, computer architecture)
• Experience shipping software to users and maintaining high engineering standards
• Curiosity and a strong drive to learn and solve complex problems
• Collaborative mindset, with experience working across diverse teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to shape technical direction, drive best practices, and support others through mentorship and leadership
• Interest in contributing to the quantum open-source ecosystem

Even better if you have

• Experience with a strongly typed language (e.g. C++ or Rust)

What you can 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 Now'. 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 have any queries, please contact #LI-KW1

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.

Women and other underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all or nearly all the requirements.  If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply - you may be a great fit, even if you don’t meet every single qualification. We’d love to hear from you.

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.