Optical Systems Engineer - 1074

We are seeking a Senior Advanced/Lead Optical Systems Engineer in our Broomfield, CO location.

All applicants for placement in safety-sensitive positions will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. This role offers the opportunity to work on a hybrid schedule. Employees are expected to work at their assigned location and may work remotely up to 2 days per week, with approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and manage requirements, interface definitions, and architecture definition documentation for one or more optical subsystems of a future trapped-ion quantum computer, in collaboration with the subsystem technical teams and external suppliers/partners.
• Derive and manage traceability of subsystem artifacts to system-level requirements and architecture definition documentation, in collaboration with system-level architects and systems engineers.
• Trade design options in collaboration with subsystem technical teams and external suppliers/partners.
• Plan and participate in subsystem integration and verification, including testing.
• Organize and conduct subsystem design reviews and deliver subsystem contributions to system-level design reviews.
• Help to develop and implement company systems engineering standards and practices, in collaboration with the other members of the systems engineering community and cross-discipline SMEs.

You Must Have:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree

• Minimum 6+ years of professional experience (4 years with masters, 3 years with PhD) in a combination of systems engineering roles and design, integration, or testing roles, where the system of interest is based on optical, laser, and/or photonics technologies. Minimum 2 years of this experience must be in a systems engineering role.

  • Candidates with more years of experience than these minimums may be considered for a higher-seniority/Lead position.

• 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.

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

We Value:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or a closely-related technical field preferred.
• Experience in systems engineering or architecture of highly complex, large-scale technologies (e.g., quantum computers, atomic clocks, spacecraft, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, or other multidisciplinary hardware systems).
• Expertise in one or more of the following technology areas: fiber optics and connectors for visible wavelengths, single-photon detectors and systems, micro-optic assemblies, free-space laser metrology, optical frequency combs, laser stabilization and locking, laser and optical system design, optomechanical design, qualification and reliability modelling and/or testing of optical components.
• Experience with formal documentation and management of requirements, interfaces, verification plans, and other systems engineering artifacts in database and/or product lifecycle management tools.
• Strong communication, leadership, and partnership skills.
• Prior experience with laser-cooled, neutral atom, or atomic ion scientific apparatus or quantum computers.

The base pay range for this role is $137,000 – $185,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate’s skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.

If considered to have "Lead" level experience, the Lead position will be Bonus and Equity Eligible.

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 operatesacross 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us. 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.