Senior Facilities Engineer in Oxford

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we’re building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve.

We are seeking a Senior Facilities Engineer to support the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of critical facilities infrastructure across laboratory, cleanroom, and technical manufacturing environments. This is a hands-on, front-line role responsible for executing day-to-day facilities operations, owning routine compliance tasks, and maintaining control of site activities. The role is expected to take direct ownership of facilities issues, ensuring they are managed through to resolution.

The position works closely with the Head of Facilities and is critical in ensuring that compliance, contractor control, and system reliability do not rely on a single point of failure.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• The role involves carrying out planned preventative and reactive maintenance across HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support the reliable operation of critical utilities, including Process Chilled Water (PCW), Chilled Water (CHW), HVAC systems for controlled environments, and basic gas and utility distribution systems.
• Responsibilities include acting as a first responder to facilities faults and system issues, taking ownership through to resolution by performing fault finding, diagnostics, and escalation where required.
• The position also requires completion of routine compliance activities while ensuring effective system performance, reliability, and safety across site operations.
• A key part of the role is day-to-day compliance ownership, including conducting fire alarm and life safety testing, Legionella control checks (L8), safety inspections, and basic statutory checks.
• Accurate, audit-ready records must be maintained at all times, with responsibility for supporting audits and ensuring documentation remains complete, well-structured, and easily accessible.
• The role also involves proactively identifying and escalating compliance risks where necessary.
• You will manage and control contractor activities on site, ensuring RAMS are reviewed, understood, and followed correctly, while Permit-to-Work systems are applied appropriately.
• All contractor works must be completed safely and to the required standards, with unsafe practices challenged immediately and work stopped if required.
• Responsibility also includes ensuring all associated documentation, certification, and completion records are captured accurately.
• The position supports facilities operations across laboratory, ISO cleanroom, and technical manufacturing environments, helping maintain controlled conditions such as temperature, airflow, and cleanliness systems.
• You will assist with the installation, relocation, and setup of equipment and infrastructure, coordinating key interfaces including power, cooling, and other associated services required for new equipment integration.
• In addition, you will raise, track, and close work orders using the CMMS system while maintaining accurate asset registers and maintenance records.
• The role includes supporting calibration tracking activities and contributing to the development and continuous improvement of SOPs and maintenance procedures.
• You will also respond to facilities incidents such as power loss, leaks, and system failures, taking ownership through to resolution or escalation as needed, while supporting emergency response procedures, business continuity activities, and participating in an on-call rota where required.
• Additional responsibilities include carrying out minor repairs and general fabric maintenance across the site, supporting goods-in, logistics activities, and equipment movement when required, maintaining stock levels of critical spares and consumables, and supporting flexible day-to-day facilities and site operations to ensure continuity and efficiency.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will need an NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds qualification, HNC, or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services, alongside 3–5+ years of experience within high-tech, laboratory, cleanroom, semiconductor, manufacturing, or similarly regulated environments. We are looking for someone with a strong working knowledge of MEP systems and building services, experience using CMMS systems, and a solid understanding of UK compliance frameworks, including L8, fire safety, and health & safety regulations.

You will need to be confident interpreting technical drawings, SOPs, and specifications, while supporting critical laboratory and manufacturing operations where uptime, reliability, and compliance are essential.

You'd be a great fit with:

• Experience supporting cleanroom (ISO 5–8) environments
• Experience with PCW / CHW systems or critical cooling infrastructure
• Familiarity with BMS platforms (e.g. Trend, Tridium Niagara)
• IOSH qualification or equivalent
• Experience working in audit-driven environments (GLP / GMP)

Additional experience that would be beneficial includes working within laboratory and cleanroom environments while following gowning and contamination control procedures, participating in on-call support and occasional out-of-hours or weekend working, and demonstrating a strong safety mindset with the confidence to challenge unsafe acts and ensure compliance across critical facilities infrastructure and operations.

Benefits

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing. We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.