Software/Embedded Systems Engineer for Quantum Experimental Control and Automation

Project background

The Trapped Ion Quantum Information group (TIQI) performs research in the quantum domain using trapped ions focussing on quantum information processing, quantum metrology, and fundamental questions in quantum physics. Our research is driven by a combination of addressing technological challenges and developing novel techniques for quantum control.

The TIQI group is closely connected to the ETHZ-PSI Quantum Computing Hub and the advertised position will involve close collaboration with its trapped-ion team, which conducts related research on scalable trapped-ion quantum-information processing.

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.

Job description

• A trapped-ion experiment is operated through a multitude of electronic and computational devices, including systems-on-chip running embedded Linux or bare-metal software along with custom FPGA gateware, as well as higher-level software services running on Windows or Linux workstations
• Standalone embedded CPUs running bare-metal software or Linux are also used in devices such as the Raspberry Pi 
• Together, these components are networked to form a laboratory-wide experimental control system

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/SystemVerilog for AMD FPGAs and SoCs 
• 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

Profile

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 practices including version control, unit testing, build automation/CI etc

Candidates who combine both profiles are especially welcome, but deep strength in one area together with interest in growing into the other is also highly valuable. The day-to-day balance of responsibilities will be shaped by the candidate's strengths and interests.

• Previous experience with physics research, especially quantum information science, atomic physics, spectroscopy, laser physics or related topics, is highly valuable

Experience with and/or interest in some of the following is also desirable

• SCADA/experimental automation, UNIX/Linux development and system administration, low-noise analog/RF electronics, PCB design, desktop GUI design, web frontend and/or backend design
• The control infrastructure in the ion-trapping lab includes platforms based on the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC and AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC, together with the open-source ARTIQ system 
• Prior knowledge of these platforms and systems is helpful but not necessary

Education & Languages

• You have at least a masters-level qualification in electrical engineering, computer science, physics or a closely-related field, or an undergraduate qualification with several years' experience 
• You have excellent English communication skills; German knowledge is favorable but not required 
• Recent ETH/EPFL graduates with a keen interest in the topics discussed are also encouraged to apply

We offer

• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits