Software​/Embedded Systems Engineer Quantum Experimental Control and Automation

Project background

The TIQI group operates several experimental setups which have different scientific goals but share common control system architecture and software. Embedded and software-controlled devices are used extensively in trapped-ion experiments, for example to generate hundreds of synchronised arbitrary waveforms, perform rapid digital and analog data acquisition, enable real-time monitoring and control, implement mixed-signal PID servo loops, or coordinate lower-level hardware across the setup.

We are looking for a Software/Embedded Systems Engineer to help develop, maintain and improve the software and firmware that support our experiments. This work spans both low-level embedded systems and higher-level control software and includes helping to shape our experimental control system architecture over the long term.

Depending on the candidate’s background, the role may focus more on embedded software and firmware for low-level devices, or more on higher-level Python-based control software, automation and system integration. We are also very interested in candidates who are comfortable working across both domains.

The following components are used in our laboratory-wide experimental control system: I/O devices, embedded CPUs running bare-metal software or embedded Linux, custom FPGA gateware, and higher-level software services running on Windows or Linux workstations. Standalone embedded CPUs such as the Raspberry Pi are also used.

As a software/embedded systems engineer in our mixed team of physicists and engineers, you will:

• Develop, maintain and debug software across different layers of the control system, from low-level software and firmware on embedded hardware platforms to higher-level control, automation and monitoring software, including hardware drivers, communication APIs, control and monitoring services, specialised libraries for numerical/scientific calculations and shared software infrastructure used across the lab
• Create, improve and maintain software and firmware repositories in line with industry-standard software engineering practices such as version control, unit testing, CI/CD and documentation
• Help shape the architecture of the broader experimental control system, foresee bottlenecks and “pain points”, and prioritise work accordingly
• Support and advise end users of the control system and contribute to documentation, examples and training materials

General information

• Our embedded software is currently written primarily in C/C++, while higher-level control software and services make extensive use of Python
• Our FPGA gateware is written mostly in Verilog/System Verilog for AMD FPGAs and So Cs
• Our FPGA workflow relies on a combination of open-source and AMD tools, including Vivado/Vitis, Verilator, Icarus Verilog, cocotb and Migen
• This position offers both early-career candidates and experienced engineers an opportunity to become part of the rapidly emerging field of quantum technology, combining interesting software and firmware architecture and design with cutting-edge experimental physics, and provides exposure to a wide range of challenges and learning opportunities in a fast-moving research setting
• The position will be affiliated with the TIQI group, but your contributions will be important to both the TIQI group and the PSI Quantum Computing Hub
• The position is offered on a fixed-term contract, an extension to a long-term role may be possible

Trapped-ion quantum computing is a fast-changing, diverse field, and we are looking for people with a wide range of skills, knowledge and interests.

• You are a person who enjoys an environment where your contributions and tasks are largely self-directed, and continuous on-the-job independent learning will be essential

You will be working in a team mostly with backgrounds in physics, and your engineering knowhow will play a critical role as your ion trapping experience grows:

• You enjoy advising and educating colleagues, helping define and supervise interdisciplinary projects with an engineering component, and guiding the experimental control-related decision making and planning

You have a strong background in at least one of the following areas:

• Embedded software and firmware: you are fluent with modern embedded C/C++ and have worked on team-based collaborative embedded projects involving FPGAs or ASICs
• Experience in FPGA projects is important, since you will help with maintaining our existing FPGA designs and coordinating the efforts of FPGA engineers on new projects
• For candidates with an embedded focus, the most relevant experience includes development of instrumentation for scientific, test & measurement or quantum control applications
• Higher-level control and automation software: you have strong experience in scientific and technical software engineering, especially in Python, including automation, control software, data acquisition, APIs, GUIs and system integration
• You are familiar with industry-standard software engineering…