Software Engineering Team Lead

About the Role

At Qblox, we don’t just build software; we build the engine that drives the Quantum Revolution. We are looking for a Software Engineering Team Lead to spearhead the development of the Qblox Cluster—our modular control platform that orchestrates 100+ qubit systems with nanosecond precision.

As we scale toward 1,000+ qubits and beyond, the complexity of our software stack grows exponentially. You will lead the team responsible for this orchestration, sitting at the intersection of high-level Python interfaces and low-latency quantum assembly (Q1ASM).

What You’ll Actually Do

• Lead with Technical Credibility: You’ll mentor a high-performing team of engineers, but you won't just be a "people manager." You’ll be the architectural guide, making sound decisions under the real-world constraints of time, resources, and quantum uncertainty.

• Scale the "Brain": Drive the development of the software that allows experimentalists to write experiments in Python and compile them down to our proprietary hardware.

• Process Pragmatist: You’ll have the autonomy to shape how the team works. We hate red tape—you’ll be responsible for building workflows that actually help engineers move faster, not create overhead.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You’ll work closely with physicists, FPGA designers, and hardware engineers to ensure our software and hardware are a seamless, high-performance unit.

Why Qblox?

We offer a tech space that is genuinely rare. This isn't another SaaS product; it's a chance to build expertise in a field that is only just beginning to take off, working alongside some of the sharpest minds in the sector.

• Autonomy & Impact: You’ll have plenty of say in how the team grows and how the work gets done. No layers of middle management.

• Flexibility: Hybrid working and three weeks a year you can work from abroad, so you can visit home or just change the scenery.

• Skin in the Game: Competitive compensation and participation in our employee stock appreciation scheme (SARs).

• Growth: 30 days of annual leave, a generous pension scheme (14% contribution), and a modern, open office in the heart of the Delft quantum ecosystem.

Enough about us, what about you?

In order to really enjoy this role, we expect you will have a background encompassing the following:

• The Track Record: 7+ years in software engineering, with at least 2 years of experience leading a team (either formally or as a strong tech lead).

• Python Mastery: You have deep Python expertise and a solid grasp of software design fundamentals (SOLID, design patterns). You know when to apply them—and more importantly, when to keep things simple.

• A "People-First" Mindset: You enjoy seeing others succeed. You’ve run effective 1-on-1s, provided tough but fair feedback, and helped junior engineers level up.

• Architectural Vision: You can navigate the trade-offs of compiler design, ASTs, or intermediate representations (IRs). If you have experience with LLVM or MLIR, that’s a huge plus.

• Scientific Curiosity: You don’t need a PhD in Physics, but you should be excited to learn. Experience with the quantum/scientific Python ecosystem (Qiskit, NumPy, SciPy) is a great head start.