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Temporary Quantum Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quantum Software Engineer II

New Haven, CT ยท On-site

$103K - $154K/yr

About the role D-Wave is seeking a Quantum Software Engineer to work on our core software, calibration systems, and tooling for our quantum computers within the Systems Software Engineering ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Louisville, CO ยท On-site

$129K - $169K/yr

Our mission is to commercialize atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude ... Collaborate closely with Quantum Software, Physics, Electrical, and Systems Engineering to ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

Our mission is to commercialize atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude ... Collaborate closely with Quantum Software, Physics, Electrical, and Systems Engineering to ...

Our mission is to commercialize atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude ... Collaborate closely with Quantum Software, Physics, Electrical, and Systems Engineering to codesign ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$128K - $168K/yr

Our mission is to commercialize atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude ... Collaborate closely with Quantum Software, Physics, Electrical, and Systems Engineering to ...

Our mission is to commercialize atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude ... Collaborate closely with Quantum Software, Physics, Electrical, and Systems Engineering to codesign ...

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Showing results 1-20

Temporary Quantum Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do temporary quantum software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary quantum software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Temporary Quantum Software Engineer vs Quantum Software Engineer?

AspectTemporary Quantum Software EngineerQuantum Software Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in computer science, physics, or related fields; some roles may accept bachelor's with experienceSame as temporary roles, often requiring advanced degrees or specialized certifications
Work EnvironmentContract-based, project-specific, often in research labs or tech companiesFull-time or contract, in research institutions or tech firms
Industry UsageCommon in research projects, startups, or companies testing quantum tech on a temporary basisUsed across industries for developing quantum algorithms, software, and applications

Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but Temporary Quantum Software Engineers typically work on short-term projects, while Quantum Software Engineers may have ongoing, full-time positions. The choice depends on project needs and career goals.

Are quantum engineers in demand?

Quantum engineers are in high demand due to the growing development of quantum computing and related technologies. Companies and research institutions seek professionals skilled in quantum algorithms, hardware, and software, often requiring knowledge of quantum programming languages like Qiskit or Cirq. This demand is expected to continue as the industry advances and expands its applications.

What did Elon Musk say about quantum computing?

Elon Musk has expressed skepticism about the immediate practical benefits of quantum computing, emphasizing that it is still in early development and may not deliver significant advantages for AI or other applications in the near term. As a job seeker in quantum software engineering, understanding industry perspectives can inform your focus on developing scalable algorithms and hardware integration skills.

Is Q-Ctrl a real company?

Q-Ctrl is a real company that specializes in quantum control solutions and software for quantum computing. It provides tools and expertise to help develop and improve quantum hardware and algorithms, often hiring roles like quantum software engineers. As a company, it is recognized within the quantum technology industry.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software, aerospace, or petroleum engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, particularly in large tech companies or industries with high demand for technical expertise.
What cities are hiring for Temporary Quantum Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Temporary Quantum Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Quantum Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Quantum Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Temporary Quantum Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Temporary Quantum Software Engineer jobs include:

Quantum Software Engineer (US)

Zapata Quantum

Zapata, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 29 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.