Monarch Quantum

Designs and manufactures quantum photonic subsystems

Principal Software Engineer

Backend EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Diego, CA, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
At least 8 years of relevant software engineering experience, with a track record of technical leadership on complex systems.
Eight or more years of professional experience in C++ software development and strong professional experience in Python.
Strong understanding of modern C++ (C++17/20) and Python software design.
Experience architecting distributed or multi-system software, ideally involving fleet management, data management, or manufacturing execution systems.
Experience designing systems that communicate with and manage robotic or automated hardware stations.
Strong database experience (SQL or similar) for systems involving logging, telemetry, specifications, and results tracking.
Experience with unit testing frameworks such as Google Test for C++ and pytest for Python, and a strong commitment to test coverage.
Experience with CMake for build and project configuration, and familiarity with Python packaging and dependency management.
Ability to debug, profile, and optimize software across C++ and Python codebases.
Experience working with version control systems such as Git.
Familiarity with multi-threaded programming and concurrency in C++.
Knowledge of software best practices, including design patterns, SOLID principles, and performance optimization.
Experience working in an agile development environment.
Employment is contingent upon being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), because the position requires access to export-controlled information.

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture and development of fleet management, robotics data management, and manufacturing execution software systems, working directly with robotic automation stations.
Design and build software in C++ and Python for station monitoring, configuration management, version management, telemetry and logging, and specifications and results tracking.
Set technical direction for integrating the automation stack—including orchestration, scripts, device control, algorithms, motion planning, and world modeling—with fleet, data management, and manufacturing execution systems.
Drive architectural decisions on system interfaces, data flow, and communication between robotic stations and higher-level management systems.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers on the team, raising code quality, design, and engineering practices.
Write and maintain unit tests to ensure software reliability and robustness.
Manage build configurations and dependencies using CMake and/or Python packaging tools.
Collaborate with robotics, firmware, hardware, and software engineers to align on system design and delivery.
Lead and participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and uphold strong coding practices.
Own and maintain clear, well-structured technical documentation for the systems designed and built.
Work independently and as part of a team while communicating regularly with the manager, project engineer, and teammates.
Ensure accuracy of execution schedules, data quality and integrity, conformance to company best practices, clear communication, and documentation.
Develop personal and team competency through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.

Desired Qualifications

Experience working in a startup or fast-paced technology company environment is a plus.
Experience with robotics, industrial automation, or manufacturing systems is a strong plus.

Principal Software Engineer

Monarch Quantum · San Diego, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-22

Salary: USD 175,000–225,000

Workplace: on_site

Department: Software Engineering

Description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Software Engineer on our Robotic Automation team. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

Lead the architecture and development of our fleet management, robotics data management, and manufacturing execution software (MES) systems, working directly with our robotic automation stations.
Design and build software in C++ and Python that supports station monitoring, configuration management, version management, telemetry and logging, and specs/results tracking.
Set technical direction for how our automation stack (orchestration, scripts, device control, algorithms, motion planning, world modeling) integrates with fleet, data management, and MES systems.
Drive architectural decisions on system interfaces, data flow, and communication between robotic stations and higher-level management systems.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers on the team, raising the bar on code quality, design, and engineering practices.
Write and maintain unit tests to ensure software reliability and robustness.
Manage build configurations and dependencies using CMake and/or Python packaging tools.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including robotics, firmware, hardware, and software engineers, to align on system design and delivery.
Lead and participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and hold the team to strong coding practices.
Own and maintain clear, well-structured technical documentation for the systems you design and build.
Work independently and in a team while over-communicating with the manager, project engineer, and teammates.
Use tenacity, patience, self-discipline, and passion for excellence to assure accuracy of execution schedule, data quality and integrity, conformance to company best practices, clarity in communication, and documentation.
Use every opportunity to grow your own competency and the team's, through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.

Requirements

This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

A bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Minimum of 8+ years of relevant software engineering experience, with a track record of technical leadership on complex systems.
Experience working in a startup or fast-paced technology company environment is a plus.

Skills:

8+ years of professional experience in C++ software development, and strong professional experience in Python.
Strong understanding of modern C++ (C++17/20) and Python software design.
Experience architecting distributed or multi-system software, ideally involving fleet management, data management, or manufacturing execution systems.
Experience designing systems that communicate with and manage robotic or automated hardware stations.
Strong database experience (SQL or similar) for systems involving logging, telemetry, specs, and results tracking.
Experience with unit testing frameworks (Google Test for C++, pytest for Python) and a strong commitment to test coverage.
Experience with CMake for build and project configuration, and familiarity with Python packaging and dependency management.
Ability to debug, profile, and optimize software across both C++ and Python codebases.
Experience working with version control systems (Git).
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently, lead technical initiatives, and mentor other engineers.
Familiarity with multi-threaded programming and concurrency in C++.
Knowledge of software best practices, including design patterns, SOLID principles, and performance optimization.
Experience working in an agile development environment.
Experience with robotics, industrial automation, or manufacturing systems is a strong plus.

Benefits

The expected annual salary range for this position is $195,000-$235,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
13 paid company holidays
9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
13 paid company holidays
9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

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About the Company

Monarch Quantum

Designs and manufactures quantum photonic subsystems

Monarch Quantum designs and manufactures Quantum Light Engines, integrated photonic subsystems that replace large laser systems with compact, factory-aligned modules. These modules handle state preparation, cooling, trapping, manipulation, and coherent control to prepare and measure quantum states for computing, sensing, and communications. They operate with a vertically integrated model in San Diego, combining in-house systems engineering, hybrid optical packaging, robotic assembly, and AI-driven manufacturing to enable design-to-volume production under one roof, reducing size, complexity, and integration risk. The company differentiates itself by offering ready-to-integrate modular photonic subsystems for architectures such as trapped-ion, neutral-atom, and photonics-based platforms, targeting hardware developers, system integrators, and OEMs to streamline quantum hardware development and scaling.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: Early VC
Total funding: $55M
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
Founded: 2025

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