Lead Quantum Hardware Physicist

Compensation: 164,000 – 185,000 USD per year

Quantinuum is seeking Lead Quantum Hardware Physicist in our Broomfield, CO location to join our System Development team. In this role, you will help shape the design of next-generation trapped-ion quantum computing systems by applying deep operational expertise to the development of reliable, scalable, and production-ready products.

Working alongside scientists and engineers across multiple disciplines, you will influence how our quantum computers are designed, controlled, and operated. You will leverage hands-on experience operating complex quantum systems to guide hardware design decisions, improve system usability, and define the software orchestration and monitoring capabilities required to efficiently operate, diagnose, and maintain commercial quantum computers. This will culminate in developing a design from concept to first product launch, and a design now ready for production. This role combines experimental science with system design and offers the opportunity to directly influence the evolution of Quantinuum's future hardware platforms.

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

Key Responsibilities:

• Apply extensive operational experience with trapped-ion quantum computers to influence the design of next-generation commercial systems.
• Shape system-level design decisions that improve reliability, usability, serviceability, manufacturability, and overall system performance.
• Define requirements for system monitoring, diagnostics, automation, and software orchestration to enable efficient operation and maintenance of complex quantum computing hardware.
• Collaborate closely with software, controls, electrical, mechanical, and quantum hardware engineers to translate operational experience into robust product designs.
• Operate and characterize prototype and production quantum computing systems, designing experiments to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for design improvements.
• Analyze experimental data to understand system behavior, identify performance limitations, and guide future hardware and software development.
• Review hardware designs, software implementations, and engineering documentation to ensure new capabilities improve system performance and operational efficiency.
• Support system bring-up, first-article builds, customer deployments, and the transition of new technologies into manufacturing and operations.
• Communicate significant technical results through internal design reviews, technical publications, conference presentations, and interactions with customers and collaborators.

YOU MUST HAVE:

• PhD must be completed prior to start date
• 8+ years’ of directly applicable experience (PhD inclusive)
• 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:

• Completed PhD in Physics or related field with background in cold atom physics
• Experience building trapped-ion or cold atom hardware systems
• Experience working with quantum computing hardware, including experience programming experimental control systems for data collection, signal processing, and data analysis
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with published results within their field of research.
• As a top candidate, you will have strong organizational and leadership skills, and be good at working with customers and partners

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.