Configuring a quantum computing system to determine a solution to an optimization problem includes encoding the optimization problem in an encoding language to produce an encoded optimization model. The encoded optimization model is transformed into a unconstrained model. The encoded optimization model includes an objective function having one or more terms. The one or more terms are converted to one or more Pauli terms. An Ising Hamiltonian is generated using the one or more terms. The Ising Hamiltonian corresponds to the optimization problem. An instruction indicative of the Ising Hamiltonian is provided to the quantum computing system.