Head of Quantum Hardware

Contract and Location

Contract Type: Full time, Permanent

Location: Cambridge, UK

Visa Sponsorship available

The Role

Nu Quantum is seeking a skilled Head of Quantum Hardware to lead and support the AMO department, comprised of 2 AMO-based groups: Theory and Simulation and Experimental. You will serve as a key technical authority for the evolution of our test beds, contribute directly to our technical strategy, and drive the development of innovative and scalable quantum networking hardware.

In this role you will manage the AMO groups, ensuring a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. Your responsibilities include delivering high quality technical work, collaborating with other Department Heads and leadership to create and deliver the technical roadmap, managing group resourcing and hiring, coordinating infrastructure projects, planning, budgeting, and resource allocation across all stages of project delivery, improving processes and tools, championing high quality technical documentation, providing day to day leadership, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative working environment that embodies the company's values.

Responsibilities

• Manage the AMO groups, driving a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and accountability.
• Delivery of high quality, technical work from their groups, supporting the development of Nu Quantum's quantum networking test beds.
• Close collaboration with the other Department Heads, Architects, Product and Technical Executive leadership to create and deliver technical roadmap.
• Manage group resourcing, through analysis of skill gaps and coordination of hiring to meet the needs of Nu Quantum technical programmes.
• Coordinate with Operations on infrastructure projects and lead AMO lab expansion projects (requirements, lab layout).
• Take responsibility for AMO planning, budgeting, and resource allocation (including hiring) across all stages of project delivery and the product development process.
• Collaborate closely with the PMO team, acting as the technical authority for the test bed systems deliverables in Nu Quantum's technology development programmes.
• Own, and continuously improve, processes and tools for the AMO team as Nu Quantum continues to grow.
• Responsible for championing high quality technical documentation.
• Provide day to day leadership, mentoring, and professional development to AMO Engineers and AMO Group leads.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team to ensure alignment in culture, roadmap, and technical goals across the Engineering and Research teams.
• Embody our company values, champion scientific integrity and foster a collaborative working environment.

Requirements

• Postgraduate level qualification in AMO physics with applications relating to quantum computing or quantum simulation.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Strong organisational skills and experience with cross functional teamwork.
• Good knowledge of AMO and quantum optics theory.
• Hands on technical expertise in qubit control, optical system design, and integrated electronics for experimental quantum platforms.
• Experience with running and developing a team, being responsible for technical delivery and budget planning.
• Excellent team player and natural problem solver with a 'can do' attitude.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset, with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organisation (from associate level employees to C Suite).
• Desirable skills and experience:
• Experience with industrialisation and interfacing with an Engineering team.
• Design and build of industrialised prototypes for quantum sensing or quantum computing.
• Experience in the design of ion traps.
• Knowledgeable in Quantum Error Correction with atomic/ionic systems.

Benefits

• Refreshments, including fruit and beverages.
• Flexible working options.
• 28 days annual leave, inclusive of a 3 day company shutdown period + UK Bank Holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 days holiday per year.
• Access to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens.
• On site gym membership.
• Cycle scheme.
• Private medical and dental cover (with Vitality and Bupa).
• Enhanced paid family leave policies.
• Generous employee referral scheme.
• 1 month paid sabbatical after 4 years of service.
• Group life assurance (4 salary).