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Internship Quantum Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Q-CTRL

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

About the team At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real ...

Q-CTRL

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

About the team At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real ...

Q-CTRL

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

About the team At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real ...

Q-CTRL

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

About the team At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real ...

Q-CTRL

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

About the team At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real ...

Q-CTRL

Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

About the team At Q-CTRL, Quantum Computing Engineering is a global team of software engineers and infrastructure experts,combining deep technical expertise with a startup mindset to deliver real ...

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Internship Quantum Software Engineer information

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How much do internship quantum software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship quantum software engineer in the United States is $25.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get an internship in quantum computing?

To secure an internship as a quantum software engineer, candidates should have a strong foundation in quantum mechanics, linear algebra, and programming languages like Python, often with experience in quantum computing frameworks such as Qiskit or Cirq. Relevant coursework, personal projects, and internships in related fields can strengthen applications, and applying through university programs or company internship portals is common practice.

What is the difference between Internship Quantum Software Engineer vs Quantum Software Developer?

AspectInternship Quantum Software EngineerQuantum Software Developer
Required CredentialsCurrently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Physics, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in similar fields, with some experience or projects in quantum computing
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often in research labs or tech companies, with mentorshipFull-time roles in tech companies, research institutions, or startups
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies developing quantum algorithms and hardware, universities, and research labsEmployed in software development teams focusing on quantum algorithms and applications

In summary, an Internship Quantum Software Engineer is an entry-level position aimed at students or recent graduates gaining hands-on experience, while a Quantum Software Developer is a full-time professional role requiring more experience and responsibility in developing quantum software solutions.

How much do quantum computing interns get paid?

Quantum software engineering internships typically offer stipends or hourly pay ranging from $15 to $35 per hour, depending on the company, location, and level of experience. Some internships may also provide additional benefits such as mentorship and training in quantum programming languages like Qiskit or Cirq.

What are the big 4 internships?

The 'Big 4' internships typically refer to summer internship programs offered by the four largest professional services firms: Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG. These internships provide opportunities in audit, consulting, advisory, and technology roles, often targeting students pursuing degrees in accounting, finance, or related fields, including roles like a Quantum Software Engineer where specialized skills are valued.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Quantum Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Quantum Software Engineer, you need a solid background in quantum mechanics, computer science, and programming languages such as Python, often supported by enrollment in or completion of a STEM degree. Familiarity with quantum computing frameworks like Qiskit or Cirq, as well as experience with version control systems, is highly beneficial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills set candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for contributing to complex quantum projects, learning rapidly, and collaborating within an innovative research environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Quantum Software Engineering interns, and how can they overcome them?

Quantum Software Engineering interns often encounter challenges such as adapting to new quantum programming languages (like Qiskit or Cirq), understanding complex quantum algorithms, and bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical implementation. Collaborating with experienced team members, actively participating in code reviews, and seeking mentorship can help interns quickly build their skills. Additionally, taking advantage of internal training resources and regularly discussing progress with supervisors ensures effective learning and integration into the team.

What is an Internship Quantum Software Engineer?

An Internship Quantum Software Engineer is a student or recent graduate who works with a team to develop and test software for quantum computers. Their responsibilities often include writing code for quantum algorithms, simulating quantum circuits, and assisting with research projects. They gain hands-on experience with quantum programming languages such as Qiskit, Cirq, or Q#. This role provides valuable exposure to the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing and helps interns build skills for a future career as a quantum software engineer.

What did Elon Musk say about quantum computing?

Elon Musk has expressed interest in quantum computing's potential to revolutionize technology, but he has also highlighted concerns about its risks and the need for careful development. As a CEO involved in multiple high-tech fields, Musk emphasizes the importance of understanding quantum advancements and their implications for future innovation and security.
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Internship Quantum Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Quantum Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,867 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Quantum Software Engineer (US)

Zapata Quantum

Zapata, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

About the role
We are seeking a Quantum Software Engineer to build AI-powered tools that massively accelerate how quantum applications are designed and resource-estimated. You will fuse modern AI-LLMs, coding agents, and ML-based heuristics-with quantum circuit construction, compilation, and analysis, compressing workflows that currently take weeks of expert effort into hours. Your tooling will directly shape Zapata's ability to evaluate and deliver quantum solutions across cryptography, pharmaceuticals, finance, materials discovery, and defense.
This position offers a high level of individual ownership and is well-suited to engineers who are excited to push the frontier of AI-assisted scientific software within a small, focused team. You will partner closely with algorithm scientists and customers to understand their design and resource-estimation workflows, then build tools that turn those workflows into automated, scalable pipelines. This position is classified as exempt under applicable wage and hour laws.
What you'll do
  • Design and build AI-powered tools that accelerate quantum application design-from problem intake through algorithm selection, circuit construction, and validation
  • Develop automated resource estimation pipelines that use LLMs and ML models to rapidly predict qubit counts, gate counts, and runtime for candidate quantum solutions
  • Build agentic workflows that orchestrate quantum SDKs, compilation passes, simulators, and analysis tools
  • Integrate state-of-the-art AI coding assistants and LLM APIs directly into internal scientific tooling to compress expert-led workflows into automated pipelines
  • Benchmark and continuously improve the accuracy, speed, and reliability of AI-driven tooling against expert-curated baselines
  • Collaborate closely with quantum algorithm scientists to capture their reasoning and encode it into reusable AI-driven tools
  • Deliver high-quality software with minimal supervision, demonstrating autonomy in execution and technical decision-making

Qualifications
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals, including testing, code review, and CI/CD practices
  • BS or MS in Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
  • Demonstrated experience shipping software that leverages LLMs, AI agents, or other machine learning components
  • Proficient programming skills in Python, with working knowledge of modern LLM APIs (Anthropic, OpenAI, or equivalent) and tool-use / function-calling patterns
  • Deep familiarity with AI-assisted development workflows (Claude Code, Cursor, or similar) and a drive to use them to massively accelerate your own output and that of the team
  • Familiarity with quantum computing concepts and a willingness to learn quantum algorithms and resource estimation in depth
  • Ability to work independently and manage deliverables with minimal oversight
  • Strong judgment about when to apply AI and when not to
  • A commitment to measuring tool quality against expert baselines

Desired Programming Skills
  • Python - for tooling, scientific code, and LLM-powered applications
  • LLM APIs and tool-use / function-calling patterns (Anthropic, OpenAI, or similar)
  • Agent frameworks and orchestration (LangGraph, pydantic-ai, or custom harnesses)
  • Quantum SDKs (Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, or similar) for scripting design and estimation workflows
  • AI-assisted development (e.g., Claude Code)
  • Git and modern CI/CD tooling
  • Evals and benchmark design for AI systems
  • Software testing frameworks (pytest, hypothesis)
  • NumPy, SciPy, and the scientific Python stack
  • Retrieval-augmented generation and vector databases
  • Containerization (Docker) and cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
  • Prompt Engineering

Preferred Experience
  • Demonstrated experience shipping software that leverages LLMs, AI agents, or other machine learning components
  • Experience building developer tools, scientific workflows, or research automation that leverages AI to speed up expert work
  • Strong communication skills and comfort collaborating across research and engineering teams

About Zapata Quantum
Zapata Quantum is shaping the future of quantum computing: setting the standards for what's viable, valuable, and worth building. The Company powers quantum applications across cryptography, pharmaceuticals, finance, materials discovery, defense, and beyond, translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact.
Zapata is the only organization to have contributed across every technical area of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking program, giving it a uniquely comprehensive view of what it takes to make quantum computing work in practice. Now restructured and sharply focused, Zapata Quantum stands alone as the only publicly traded, pure-play quantum software company fully dedicated to unlocking quantum's commercial potential.
We're rebuilding at a pivotal moment for the industry-bringing together a team that will help define how quantum delivers value in the real world, with the opportunity for meaningful ownership as we shape the commercial path forward.

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