Quantum computing is a rapidly evolving field and faces a series of engineering challenges to unlock its potential. To mark International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we spoke with several of our brilliant engineers from our UK and US teams to gain insights into their roles, their experiences, and what it’s like to work on quantum’s greatest challenge: error correction.
Building the quantum stack: A collaborative effort
Guen Prawiroatmodjo, Senior Engineering Manager of Open-Source Software, emphasised the multifaceted nature of quantum computing. “The quantum computing stack consists of different pieces. It starts at the bottom, of course, with the hardware, with the qubit devices… then you have the control layer… and above that is control software.”
This complex stack, Guen explained, requires expertise across diverse fields, from physics and software engineering to data engineering. Riverlane's approach is built on open-source collaboration, recognising that “there isn’t going to be one company or one lab that builds a quantum computer. It’s going to be a consortium of labs, a collaboration between different countries.”
This collaborative spirit extends to the individual roles within Riverlane. Gargi Sunil, a Senior FPGA Design Engineer, is focused on FPGA-based development, a crucial component for real-time high-speed data processing in QEC. "Since quantum error correction is an evolving field that requires real-time and high-speed data processing... FPGAs provide a great platform since they are reconfigurable devices, and they support parallel processing with deterministic behaviour.” Gargi highlighted the unique opportunity to contribute to multiple aspects of development, which she said might not have been possible at a larger company, adding,“Here, I am constantly encouraged to upskill myself.”
QEC unlocks practical quantum computing
The interviews consistently underscored the crucial role of quantum error correction in making quantum computers a practical reality. Tamsin Sandhu, a graduate engineer working in our Decode team, explains, “Quantum error correction is a section of quantum computing that is entirely necessary. Everyone’s coming around to the idea that it's needed now.”
Quantum computers, while powerful in theory, are inherently susceptible to errors due to the instability of qubits. “Essentially, with quantum computers, you have these particles called qubits… they can be very unreliable, and they can have very large errors,” Tamsin explained. Without effective error correction, the computations become unreliable, rendering the quantum computer unusable. “If you have a quantum computer without any correction, your quantum computer won’t run. There’ll be so many errors that none of your computations will actually be happening in the way that you want them to.”
Nicole Gillett, a software engineer at Riverlane, agrees, “I think having a background in physics is helpful for quantum error correction because it gives you an appreciation of the concepts that are underlying the technology. But it's not actually a requirement. Error correction is something that exists in classical systems as well.”
Supportive teams, serious engineering
Riverlane’s engineers describe the workplace as a rare blend of cutting-edge research and everyday support. A place where curiosity is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and knowledge is freely shared.
“I’ve learned so much,” said Nicole. “There’s such a depth of knowledge about quantum error correction at Riverlane that you can’t help but learn quickly.”
That culture of learning is closely tied to Riverlane’s identity as a research-led company. "Research is really at the heart of what Riverlane does,” Nicole said. “We have lots of sessions where people come together and talk through papers. I’m not only working with other software engineers or hardware engineers, but also closely with research scientists. That’s one way in which it really differs.”
This openness is echoed across the team. For Tamsin, who first connected with Riverlane through its “Bertha Swirles” programme, the collaborative environment was a key part of what drew her in: “Everyone is very friendly, everyone has all the time for you… It’s the kind of place where you can have a conversation with anyone, from your teammates to stream leaders, about the work you’re doing.”
Gargi described a similar experience: “The people are extremely open and always happy to share their knowledge. Riverlane is a really good place to learn and grow.”
Navigating the uncharted territory of QEC
One of the most exciting aspects of working in QEC is its pioneering nature. Nicole aptly describes this, “One of the most amazing things about quantum error correction is that none of this has really been done before... with QEC, a lot of the time what we're exploring is completely new territory. You can't really Google it, and that's a really exciting challenge to be part of.”
This requires a unique blend of technical expertise and a willingness to explore uncharted territory. “What's really valuable for this industry, from a software engineering perspective, is having engineers who are able to build models for quantum error correction very quickly,” according to Nicole.
Quantum computing for the greater good
Riverlane’s engineers are driven by the potential for quantum computing to positively impact the world. Tamsin highlights one specific application, “I think one of the really big things about creating ammonia is… we use a process that requires very high temperatures and high pressures, which uses a lot of energy. And ammonia is something that's used as fertilizer and for plants all the time. If we can use quantum computing to find a better way to create ammonia that doesn't use all of that energy, that would be something that literally transforms the world.” This sense of purpose is a significant motivator for the team.
From open-source collaboration to navigating uncharted territory, the team is driven by the potential to unlock the transformative power of quantum computing. As Tamsin succinctly puts it, “One of my goals is to feel like I’m working with people to create something that’s good for the world. That’s exciting.”
You can watch the full video here.
Interested in joining our team? We’re always on the lookout for top talent. Explore our open roles in both the UK, and the US here.