System Integration Senior Manager

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.

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

What to expect:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly capable Senior Manager, System Integration to lead system-level design and integration of the complex hardware systems that make up our quantum computers. This is a hands-on technical leadership role in a fast-moving, cross-disciplinary environment, working closely with other teams across the business, including product, mechanical, optical, electronics, manufacturing and science teams to deliver first engineering units. You will drive engineering excellence within the organisation, previous experience with quantum computing is not required.

The System Integration team is responsible for the physical integration of hardware subsystems into complete, functional systems. This includes enclosures, industrial design, system layout, design of wiring and cable harnesses, connector and power distribution choices, thermal and environmental management, grounding, and EMI-aware integration design. You will also oversee supporting infrastructure such as chillers, data acquisition systems, and hardware-in-the-loop test systems needed to develop, validate, and operate our products.

This role is critical in ensuring that complex subsystems fit together mechanically, electrically, and operationally, and that new designs can be brought up, tested, and supported effectively. You will be expected to thrive in an environment with significant ambiguity, rapid iteration, producing low-volume, high-value engineering builds.

What you’ll be responsible for:

The Senior Manager, Systems Integration will own the end-to-end integration of complex hardware subsystems, ensuring that electrical, mechanical and environmental interfaces are designed to work together reliably in real-world operation. This includes overseeing subsystem layout and wiring, covering cables, optical fibres, harnesses, connectors and power supplies, while making sure supporting infrastructure such as grounding, trunking, cable and fibre management, and EMI-conscious design are built in from the outset.

The role will work closely with electronics and other engineering teams to address system-level challenges around electrical noise, EMI, thermal performance and environmental control. They will also lead the selection of supporting equipment required to run and monitor the system effectively, such as chillers, data acquisition tools and wider operational infrastructure. Alongside this, they will build and maintain suitable hardware-in-the-loop test capability to support integration, validation and ongoing development.

A key part of the brief is leading the bring-up and testing of first engineering units, helping teams identify issues quickly and drive practical, detailed solutions that balance technical quality, delivery pace and wider business priorities. The role will also provide senior technical support for complex operational issues, ensure any qualification work needed to ship engineering and low-volume production systems globally is completed, and communicate clear updates on progress, risks and issues to stakeholders across the business.

• Own system-level integration across electrical, mechanical and environmental interfaces
• Lead subsystem layout, wiring, infrastructure design and supporting equipment selection
• Drive system bring-up, test, validation and technical troubleshooting
• Ensure systems are qualified for global shipment and stakeholders are kept updated on progress and risk
  

The Senior Manager will also lead and develop a high-performing systems integration team operating in a demanding, fast-moving technical environment. They will be responsible for creating the right balance between pace, rigour and engineering quality, while making sure the team is focused on the work that matters most to the business.

This person will need to navigate competing priorities and organise the team to deliver against company needs and timelines. They will support hiring, development and performance management across team members in both the UK and US, while working closely with the Director of Quantum Systems and the wider leadership team to plan future team growth, capability build-out and longer-term integration needs.

Success in the role will depend on strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to foster close collaboration across electronics, mechanical, build, test and operations teams, ensuring integration activity is aligned, efficient and executed to a high standard.

• Lead, develop and performance-manage the systems integration team across the UK and US
• Balance speed, rigour and quality while managing conflicting priorities
• Partner with leadership to shape team growth and future capability needs
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, build, test and operations teams

Requirements

This role requires a leader with a strong track record of managing complex hardware or systems integration activity in advanced technology or high-performance engineering environments. They will need to have led experienced technical specialists before, with the judgement to set clear priorities, establish high standards and ensure work is delivered to a level that meets the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. Just as importantly, they must be comfortable operating in a fast-moving, high-tech company where delegation, pace and quality all need to be balanced carefully.

The successful person will bring excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to align cross-functional teams and keep stakeholders well informed as work progresses. They should have a clear understanding of standard hardware and electronics development processes, but also the pragmatism to apply those processes in a way that suits a growing organisation rather than slowing it down. This is not a role for someone who is rigid or overly theoretical; it needs someone who can combine structure with practical judgement.

From a technical perspective, the role calls for a strong hands-on background in system integration across both electrical and mechanical domains. In addition, the ideal candidate will have deeper expertise in several of the key disciplines that typically make or break complex integrated systems, such as thermal management, environmental design, grounding, cable management and EMI or noise mitigation. They must also be able to prioritise effectively and deliver in a low-volume, high-value product setting, where the work is often complex, visible and commercially important.

• Proven leadership experience in complex hardware or systems integration environments
• Strong cross-functional communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills
• Hands-on technical depth across electrical and mechanical system integration
• Deeper expertise in areas such as thermal management, grounding, cable management and EMI/noise mitigation, with the ability to deliver in a low-volume, high-value environment

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.