The future of AI computing builds on light. Q.ANT is building photonic processing systems that compute with light - delivering a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to transistor-based architectures for next-generation AI and HPC applications.
As Senior Software Engineer - Photonic Applications (f/m/d) , you'll bridge cutting-edge photonic hardware and real-world applications. Your work creates the evidence that photonic computing works: compelling demos, developer enablement, and direct partner collaboration that turn hardware capabilities into tangible success stories.
You'll work across the full stack – from performance-optimized algorithms to developer-facing documentation – helping partners, clients, and investors understand why computing with light is the future.
What You Will Do
Figure out how algorithms make a difference with photonics
Optimize algorithms and develop performance-critical code (Python, C/C++, Rust) to demonstrate the full potential of photonic hardware through compelling performance benchmarks
Collaborate with algorithms and software ecosystem teams to refine architectural designs and provide structured feedback from real-world applications
Work with external partners and clients on use cases and proof-of-concepts that demonstrate the value of photonic computing for AI and scientific workloads
Build developer-facing assets : tutorials, reference implementations, demos, benchmarks, Jupyter notebooks, and documentation that enable developers to write optimized code for photonic hardware
Deliver public presentations, workshops, and technical briefings on photonic computing applications
Manage stakeholder expectations and project timelines across client engagements and partner collaborations
Contribute to Q.ANT's Open Source initiatives and developer ecosystem
Your profile
5+ years in software engineering across the stack with strong proficiency in Python plus C/C++ respectively Rust for performance-critical components
5+ years working in the context of external partners , clients, or developer communities
Deep expertise in AI algorithms and scientific computing (PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow) with understanding of hardware acceleration architectures and performance optimization
Experience developing demos/PoCs for novel hardware platforms and creating technical enablement content for developers is a plus
Familiarity with Open Source development workflows and tooling (GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, test frameworks, Jupyter notebooks, package distribution)
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related technical field
Fluent in English; German is a plus
Why us?
Make impact at scale: Help solve one of computing's biggest challenges – making growing demand in compute and sustainability go hand in hand
Work on the leading edge: Photonic AI acceleration technologies that will define the next decade of computing – already validated in production HPC environments
Own your work from day one: Shape design and code of software, client solutions, and public collaterals on your own, with direct impact on product success and the future of AI infrastructure
Fast-track your growth: Work on challenges with few industry precedents – every problem you solve becomes new institutional knowledge and potentially industry-defining IP
Be the multiplier: Your work enables entire developer communities and directly helps clients succeed with photonic computing
World-class team: Collaborate alongside a passionate, international, cross-functional team of experts in photonics, processor design, and AI software
Direct access to leadership: Work closely with the company's founders, including CEO Dr. Michael Förtsch, and the Q.ANT senior leadership team
Collaborative culture: Innovative work environment that values technical excellence, open communication, and pragmatic problem-solving
Be part of history: Join at the inflection point where photonic computing transitions from research to mainstream – your contributions will shape this transformation
We're looking for a technical problem-solver who gets energized by turning cutting-edge research into production-ready applications, working directly with partners to solve real challenges, and enabling developers to unlock the full potential of photonic computing.
Ready to show the world that photonic computing works? We are looking forward to receiving your application!
Q.ANT is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
We show an excerpt and a link, and the full text when the source allows it. Brands and logos shown belong to their owners.
