Introduction
Qiskit is IBM Quantum's flagship open-source software development kit for quantum computing, enabling the development, compilation, and execution of quantum programs for a broad community of researchers, developers and industry partners. As part of IBM Quantum, the Qiskit SDK team is building the foundations of a high-performance, open, and platform-neutral quantum compiler and SDK, with the long-term vision of becoming the standard library and toolchain for quantum computing. Qiskit emphasizes production-grade quality and performance, offering a platform with Python and C APIs and a design that accommodates future language bindings.
Your role and responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced Software Developer to join the core Qiskit SDK team. In this role, you will work at the intersection of systems programming, compiler infrastructure, and open-source development, contributing to software that shapes the future of quantum computing. You will be a core contributor to the Qiskit SDK and its underlying compiler and runtime infrastructure, designing and implementing performance-critical components, evolving public APIs, and collaborating closely with researchers, product teams and the open-source community. The role requires a strong sense of software ownership, technical rigor, and open-source best practices.
Key Responsibilities - Design, implement, and maintain core Qiskit SDK components and APIs.
- Develop high-quality, well-tested, performance-critical code, with strong attention to usability, extensibility, and backward compatibility.
- Contribute to compiler and transpilation infrastructure, including IRs, optimization passes, and compilation pipelines.
- Review and mentor contributions from internal engineers and external open-source contributors.
- Participate actively in open-source workflows, including design discussions, code reviews, documentation, and releases.
- Collaborate closely with research, HPC, hardware, and product teams, and support external users and partners.
- Debug and resolve complex issues across a large, evolving codebase.
Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred education
Master's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
- Strong proficiency in Rust, with experience writing production-quality, performance-aware code.
- Working knowledge of Python to support Python-facing APIs and collaborate in mixed Rust/Python systems.
- Solid software engineering fundamentals, including modular design, testing, CI/CD, and maintainability.
- Experience contributing to open-source projects, including code reviews and collaborative development.
Preferred technical and professional experience
- Familiarity with quantum computing and quantum SDKs (e.g., Qiskit, tket, Cirq).
- Exposure to compiler or transpiler concepts (e.g., IRs, passes, transformations).
- Experience developing Python extension modules or FFI-based integrations backed by Rust.
ABOUT BUSINESS UNITIBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.
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OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILSIBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:
- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.
IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.
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