Senior Photonics Scientist - 849

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Photonics Scientist in our Broomfield, CO Location. Our team is developing optics and integrated photonics technologies that will enable scaling of our trapped-ion quantum computers from our current 98-qubit Helios system to our future 1,000,000-qubit Lumos system (Quantinuum system roadmap link). The data, designs, and expertise from our group inform our next-generation systems, including Apollo and Lumos, from the overall architecture to the tiniest of details. We are looking for more engineers and scientists to join our cross-disciplinary team. All applicants for placement in safety-sensitive positions will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate to guide, coordinate, and support technical milestones, cross-group collaboration, and strategic planning to innovate on integrated photonics for trapped-ion quantum computing

• Develop and demonstrate new optical metrology testbeds to evaluate a wide range of passive and active integrated photonic materials, devices, systems, and architectures

• Contribute to and/or lead design and trade studies and analyses

• Collaborate to the development and management of detailed schedules, budgets, resource allocations, and work plans for complex R&D projects and handoff to production teams.

• Take optical metrology data to inform decisions on Apollo and Lumos system architecture, photonics design, fabrication techniques, and the performance of next-generation quantum computers. 

• Collaborate and work with a cross-disciplinary team, including photonics designers, photonics scientists & engineers, optical & mechanical engineers, atomic physicists, internal and external fabrication partners

• Communicate technical results, strategy, scope changes, risks, and progress effectively within our team and to our colleagues on other technical teams, project management, leadership, and externally.

You Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree minimum

• Minimum 8 years years’ experience (degree inclusive) with experimental freespace optics and/or integrated photonics

• Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person defined as, U.S. citizen permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status

• Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People's Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

We Value:

• PhD in physics or engineering

• 6+ years experience directing a technical project

• 6+ years experience leading a technical team

• Experience guiding a product from concept to delivery

• Experience collaborating across teams to drive a project to completion

• Experience working with project management to deliver technical results on time

• 4+ years experience (degree inclusive) with photonic integrated circuit testing

• 4+ years (degree inclusive) experience with optical metrology

• Experience with on-chip photonics, fiber-to-chip coupling, modulation techniques

• Exposure to nanophotonic design using photonic simulation tools such as: FDTD, FEM, or optical mode solver (Lumerical/COMSOL/RCWA/RSoft or similar tools).

• Exposure to micro- and nano-fabrication techniques (e.g., electron beam and/or photolithography, wet and dry etching, scanning electron microscopy, wafer and sample handling, and general cleanroom practices).

• 5+ years experience with scientific coding and data analysis and visualization; hardware control and automation; familiarity with commonly used software packages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, Mathematica, Origin, Igor, etc.).

• Knowledge of trapped-ion quantum computers or other quantum computing architectures.

• Strong written & oral communication skills

• Strong organizational and collaboration skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively and to facilitate the exchange of key details and concepts between team members of diverse technical experience, including with remote colleagues

Additional information

Quantinuum is a leading quantum computing company delivering a full stack platform designed to make quantum computing deployable in real-world environments. With active engagements spanning pharmaceuticals, material science, financial services, government, industrial sectors, and leading academic and research institutions worldwide, we are helping organizations unlock the transformative potential of quantum computing. Our global team of more than 800 employees includes many of the world's leading scientists, engineers, and researchers, with more than 70% of our technology team holding advanced degrees at the Master's or PhD level. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Quantinuum operates across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Singapore. By joining Quantinuum, you’ll help shape the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible. What’s in it for you? We believe our people are our greatest strength and offer a comprehensive rewards package that supports your professional growth, well-being, and long-term success. Competitive compensation and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking technology Flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance Employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match and student loan repayment benefit Equity opportunities Generous paid time off, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually Paid parental leave Employee discount programs Equal Opportunity Employer Quantinuum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and provided equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, ancestry, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal. For more information about Quantinuum, please visit our website. We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know use the Lets talk contact form. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, there is no application deadline for this position.

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