Senior QPU Software Engineer; FPGA

Senior QPU Software Engineer (FPGA)

Boston, MA, USA

Join QuEra Computing's engineering team to develop cutting-edge FPGA systems for neutral atom quantum computers. You'll work on real-time control systems that manipulate individual atoms with microsecond precision, enabling breakthrough quantum algorithms and applications.

We're seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer to design, implement, and optimize high-performance FPGA systems for quantum computing applications. You'll work on complex real-time control systems, high-speed data acquisition, and precision timing systems that are critical to our quantum computer's operation.

Core FPGA Development

• Design and implement System Verilog modules for quantum control systems including:
• Scheduled multitone generators for RF/microwave quantum gates
• Real-time pulse sequencers for laser control
• High-speed ADC/DAC interfaces (16-bit, 4 samples/clock)
• Hardware-accelerated image processing for atom detection
• Develop and maintain Ulti-board FPGA designs (Xilinx Zynq Ultra Scale+ RFSoC)
• Implement high-speed serial interfaces (CoaXPress, Aurora, AXI4-Stream)
• Design clock domain crossing logic with proper CDC verification
• Optimize resource utilization and timing closure for complex designs

System Integration & Verification

• Create comprehensive test benches using System Verilog and Python (cocotb)
• Develop simulation models for quantum control peripherals
• Implement formal verification for critical timing constraints
• Design and validate real-time trigger and synchronization systems
• Troubleshoot hardware-software integration issues

Performance & Reliability

• Optimize data throughput for high-bandwidth quantum control signals
• Implement error detection and recovery mechanisms
• Design robust clocking architectures for multi-domain systems
• Develop monitoring and diagnostics for system health
• Ensure deterministic timing for quantum gate operations

Essential Skills

• 5+ years FPGA development experience with Xilinx Ultra Scale+ devices
• Expert-level System Verilog with modern verification methodologies
• Experience with high-speed serial protocols (Aurora, AXI4, PCIe, Ethernet)
• Real-time systems design with microsecond timing requirements
• Digital signal processing implementation in FPGAs
• Clock domain crossing design and verification
• Python programming for test automation and data analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• RF/microwave systems experience (frequency synthesis, phase-locked loops)
• High-speed ADC/DAC interfaces (JESD
  204B/C, RFSoC experience)
• Image processing algorithms (centroid detection, pattern recognition)
• Formal verification using System Verilog assertions
• CoaXPress or camera interface experience
• AWS/cloud development environments
• Familiar with High Level Synthesis and Vivado block design

Technical Stack

• FPGA Tools:
  Vivado 2022.2+, Vitis, Peta Linux
• Languages:
  
  System Verilog, Verilog, Python, TCL
• Verification: UVM, cocotb, pytest, formal verification
• Protocols: AXI4, AXI4-Stream, Aurora, CoaXPress, SPI, I2C
• Boards:
  Xilinx ZCU
  102/111/216, RFSoC platforms
• Development:
  Git, CI/CD, AWS EC2, Linux

Project Examples

• Quantum Gate Control: 8-channel RF tone generators with 0.1 Hz frequency resolution
• Atom Detection:
  Real-time image processing at 1+ Gbps data rates
• Precision Timing:
  Synchronized control sequences with