Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Senior Embedded Engineer

D-Wave is a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services. We are the world's first commercial supplier of quantum computers, and the only company building both annealing and gate-model quantum computers. Our mission is to help customers realize the value of quantum, today. Our quantum computers — the world's largest — feature QPUs with sub-second response times and can be deployed on-premises or accessed through our quantum cloud service, which offers 99.9% availability and uptime. More than 100 organizations trust D-Wave with their toughest computational challenges. With over 200 million problems submitted to our quantum systems to date, our customers apply our technology to address use cases spanning optimization, artificial intelligence, research and more.

About the role

• Design, develop, and optimize FPGA-accelerated systems using the AMD/Xilinx PYNQ framework
• Bridge FPGA development, Python-driven hardware control, and embedded software, enabling rapid prototyping and deployment of hardware-accelerated algorithms on Zynq SoC platforms
• Interface with databases and other software systems in the context of a distributed computing environment

What you'll do

• Building and optimizing embedded Linux systems, including device drivers and low-level interfaces
• Developing FPGA-accelerated workflows using Python and PYNQ
• Collaborating across hardware, firmware, and compiler teams to shape system architecture
• Owning parts of the toolchain, test infrastructure, and system validation processes
• Debugging complex issues across hardware/software boundaries and driving them to resolution
• Contributing to scalable, maintainable systems that support rapid iteration
• Delivering reliable, high-performance embedded systems that integrate cleanly with broader platforms
• Navigating ambiguity and making sound technical decisions with incomplete information
• Taking ownership of problems end-to-end, from root cause to validated solution
• Raising the bar on code quality, testing, and system design

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems, including FPGA-based development
• Strong Python skills, particularly in performance-sensitive environments
• Experience with AMD/Xilinx PYNQ and Zynq SoC platforms
• Background in device driver development and embedded Linux systems
• Familiarity with system-level design and hardware/software co-design
• Experience with modern development workflows (Git, build systems, CI/CD)
• Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting (e.g., bash)
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative, cross-functional teams

A D-Waver's DNA

• We look at the future and say "why not"; we see possibilities where others see problems or routines. We show the way ahead and are committed to achieving ambitious goals.
• We practice straight talk and listen generously to each other with empathy. We value different opinions and points of view. We ensure that we connect outside as well as inside to learn from others and inspire each other.
• We hold ourselves accountable for delivering results. We make decisions & take responsibility so that we can act & support each other.
• As leaders we motivate & engage our teams to undertake beyond what they originally thought possible, by developing our teams & creating the conditions for people to grow and empower themselves through enabling & coaching.

Our compensation philosophy is simple but powerful:

We believe providing D-Wavers with company ownership, competitive pay, and a range of meaningful benefits is the start of creating a culture where people want to give the best they've got — not because they're simply making money, but because they've fallen in love with our vision, mission, values, and team.

Inclusion:

We celebrate diverse perspectives to drive innovation in our pursuit. Our employees range from distinguished domain experts with decades of experience in their respective fields, to bright and motivated graduates eager to make their mark. Our diverse and innovative team will make you feel appreciated, supported and empower your career growth at D-Wave.

The base pay range for this role is:

124,360 – 186,540 USD per year (New Haven)