Senior Software Engineer - Experiment Control
Senior Software Engineer for quantum experiment control at HRL Laboratories, writing Python/C++ software for executing experiments, device drivers, and data storage.
HRL Laboratories pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways.
As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art. HRL Laboratories advances critical structural and functional materials and semiconductor devices that enable precision navigation, quantum technologies and extreme-environment performance. With expertise from design through deployment, we deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that transform our customers’ missions.
Our work leverages digital manufacturing and scalable microfabrication techniques to meet tomorrow’s toughest challenges.
Position Summary
We are looking for a software engineer to help us develop the future of quantum information technologies. Scientists and engineers at HRL use our quantum software development kit every day to operate, understand, and advance our quantum devices, which includes state-of-the-art developments featured in top scientific journals. As a software engineer on the experiment control software team, you will be responsible for developing software that directly enables experiments driving our device roadmap.
Essential Duties
- Develop software for the execution of complex sequences of experiments, measurements, and calibrations
- Develop device drivers for custom hardware and scientific instruments
- Work closely with experimental physicists to understand requirements and ensure software designs enable all required laboratory capabilities
- Work closely with data engineers to define how to organize and store quantum device data
- Mentor junior engineers and help instill best practices across programming, version control, CI/CD, and documentation
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years relevant software engineering experience
- Proficiency in Python
- Familiarity with C++
- Experience with one or more relational database systems
- Solid understanding of core computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and computer architectures
- Familiarity with scientific test instrumentation (e.g., waveform generators, oscilloscopes) and communication protocols (e.g. VISA, TCP/IP)
Special Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance
Compensation and Benefits
Pay Range: $140,700 - $175,950 Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment. ) Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification.
At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. S. com/privacy