Quantum Systems Scientist

Job Description

Quantum is now, and it's built here.

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we’re building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve.

Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.

What to expect:

We are searching for a Quantum Systems Scientist to join our Systems Team. The team designs, builds, integrates, and commissions the quantum systems that power our trapped ion quantum processors.

This is a hands-on R&D role at the interface between architecture, science, engineering, and manufacturing. You will turn high-level system architecture into practical hardware designs, specifications, interfaces, and build guidance, then work with engineering and manufacturing teams to bring first-of-class systems into operation.

The team works across the full quantum system, including lasers and optics, fibre and free-space optical delivery, optical cavities, modulators, cryogenics, ultra-high vacuum, superconducting magnets, imaging systems, control electronics, PCBs, electrical interfaces, and optomechanical hardware.

The role requires broad technical judgement, independent operation, excellent communication, and the ability to anticipate integration challenges across complex coupled systems.

Relevant backgrounds include AMO physics, quantum technology, precision instrumentation, semiconductor tooling, fusion, advanced imaging, lasers, or other deep-tech hardware.

What you'll be responsible for:

As a Quantum Systems Scientist, you will turn system requirements into concrete designs, specifications, interface definitions, test plans, and commissioning approaches. You will work closely with engineering teams to explain the purpose behind requirements and help resolve technical trade-offs as designs evolve.

A significant part of the role will involve spending time in the lab bringing up first-of-class systems, including integration, alignment, testing, debugging, and performance optimisation. You will identify likely integration problems before they block progress, particularly where different subsystems interact, and debug issues across the full hardware stack, including optical alignment, laser stability, imaging performance, electrical noise, grounding and shielding, control electronics, thermal behaviour, vacuum compatibility, magnetic fields, and mechanical integration.

• Review designs from engineering teams and check that they meet the system need, including optical, mechanical, electronic, control, and manufacturing aspects.
• Work with manufacturing and engineering teams during system assembly and commissioning.
• Run focused investigations into subsystem performance, integration risks, failure modes, or unexpected behaviour.
• Document the important decisions, assumptions, tests, commissioning steps, and lessons learned so that systems can be improved and repeated.
• Develop new R&D hardware and tests: design, build, and characterise prototype subsystems, test rigs, and measurement approaches where new system capabilities are needed.

Requirements

We are looking for a high-performing systems scientist, experimental physicist, or R&D-focused engineer with hands-on experience designing, building, integrating, commissioning, and debugging complex hardware systems.

You will need hands-on experience working with complex experimental or engineered hardware systems, along with a broad technical background across several relevant areas such as optics, lasers, imaging, electronics, electrical noise, cryogenics, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems, magnetic fields, optomechanics, control electronics, PCBs, and lab automation. Strong physical intuition and practical judgment when working with coupled hardware systems are essential, as is the ability to diagnose problems using measurements, observations, and first-principles reasoning. You should be able to write clear specifications, tests, and technical guidance for engineering and manufacturing teams, and work effectively with scientists, engineers, technicians, and manufacturing personnel. The role also requires the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced and evolving R&D environment.

A PhD, or equivalent experience, in experimental physics, AMO physics, quantum science, optical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field is required.

You'd be a great fit with:

Experience in one or more of the following would be valuable. We do not expect candidates to have all of these.

• Trapped ions, cold atoms, neutral atoms, optical clocks, quantum sensing, AMO physics, or similar experimental physics systems.
• Complex quantum, precision measurement, or scientific hardware systems where you had broad system-level involvement.
• Deep-tech R&D environments such as fusion, semiconductor tooling, precision optical instrumentation, laser systems, microscopy, advanced imaging, or high-performance scientific instruments.
• Electronics in larger systems, including PCB specification or review, electrical testing, grounding, shielding, signal integrity, control electronics, or noise debugging.
• Imaging, fibre optics, integrated optics, narrow-linewidth lasers, free-space optics, optical cavities, cryogenics, UHV, superconducting magnets, or precision thermal and mechanical design.
• Programming for hardware control, automation, testing, or data analysis.

Benefits

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.