Lead Photonics Scientist

Science Led, Enterprise Driven – Accelerating Quantum Computing

Quantinuum is the world’s largest integrated quantum company, pioneering powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With approximately 500 employees, including 370 scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.

We unite best-in-class software with high-fidelity hardware to accelerate quantum computing. With integrated full-stack technology, our world-class team is rapidly scaling quantum computing.

Quantinuum recently secured $300M in funding, visit our news pages to learn more about this and other Quantinuum scientific breakthroughs and achievements: https://www.quantinuum.com/news

We are seeking a Lead Photonics Scientist in our New Mexico Location.

All applicants for placement in safety-sensitive positions will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Key Responsibilities:

Plan, design, and build new photonics laboratory and optical metrology equipment to target the high-sensitivity requirements for an ion-trap based quantum computer.

Work with a diverse team, including photonics designers, fabrication experts, atomic physicists, and engineers to validate unprecedented integrated photonic technology and optimize fabrication.

Characterize individual photonic components, optical output of photonic chips, and overall photonic circuit performance.

Develop and use high-sensitivity measurement techniques to evaluate the optical output of photonic chips for suitability.

Develop new concepts for metrology testbeds to evaluate active and alternative photonic materials and architectures.

Communicate ground-breaking results both internally and externally through publications and presentations.

Intermittent travel

YOU MUST HAVE:

• Master’s Degree Minimum
• 6 years of experience degree inclusive with photonic integrated circuit design and/or testing.
• 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 Optics, Physics, or Engineering preferred
• 8 years of experience with design and implementation of optical experiments including familiarity with optoelectronic devices (e.g., lasers and photodetectors), optical fiber, optical components (e.g., lenses, mirrors, and polarizers), and commonly used scientific software.
• Demonstrated leadership on a technical project utilizing a team of skilled contributors with varying backgrounds
• Experience in designing and building a lab and/or complex apparatus, from concept through execution of applications or research activities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with published results within their field of research.
• Strong communication skills evidenced by a history of multidisciplinary collaboration with external parties and/or customers on large-scale projects.
• Demonstrated history of mentoring junior scientists.
• Nanophotonic design using photonic simulation tools such as: FDTD, FEM, or optical mode solver (Lumerical/COMSOL/RCWA/RSoft or similar tools)
• Deep knowledge of on-chip photonics, fiber-to-chip coupling, and modulation techniques.
• Experience with micro- and nano-fabrication (e.g., electron beam and/or photolithography, wet and dry etching, scanning electron microscopy, wafer and sample handling, and general cleanroom practices)
• Experience with scientific coding and data analysis and visualization, and familiarity with commonly used software packages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, Mathematica, etc.)
  
  

Compensation & Benefits:

Range posted is inclusive of bonus target when applicable

Incentive Eligible

Estimated Salary Wage: $158,000 - $190,000 Annually