QPU Design Engineer

The future is quantum. Oxford Ionics is at the forefront of pioneering quantum computing, delivering world-leading innovation to create the most powerful, accurate, and reliable quantum systems. Quantum computing offers a radically new way of building computers that harnesses the power of quantum physics to outperform conventional supercomputers exponentially. Using our unique trapped-ion technology, we are leading the race to unleash quantum computing's unparalleled potential.

We are looking for an experienced Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designer or Integrated Circuit (IC) layout engineer to strengthen our Quantum Processor Unit (QPU) design team and facilitate the company's ongoing growth and future expansion plans. In this hands-on design role, you’ll play a central part in bringing our ion-trap chip designs into production, working closely with our scientists and in-house fabrication engineers.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Transforming ion-trap concepts into fully realised QPUs.
• Layout of complex electrode structures on our custom QPU ICs, integrating components such as integrated photonics.
• Working closely with both our in-house fabrication team and external partners to define design rules and ensure the QPU can be fabricated with acceptable yield.
• Designing and laying out the associated PCBs and supporting electronic structures for the QPU.
• Defining the appropriate physical implementation of the wider system (such as thermal management).

Key Responsibilities:

• Creating the layout of QPU IC's, including multi-layer metal track routing as well as modification of the ion trap layouts and scripting.
• Partnering with our ion-trap scientists to shape and refine trap and array designs, ensuring alignment with experimental goals and physical constraints.
• Designing the surrounding system, such as silicon and ceramic interposers, as well as carrier PCBs.
• Designing QPU components with full consideration of system-level constraints, including vacuum chamber integration, cryogenics, and thermal management.
• Specifying, sourcing, and documenting components while working closely with manufacturing teams to ensure smooth QPU build and test processes.

We’re seeking a proactive and technically skilled engineer who can take ownership of complex design tasks with minimal supervision. You should have hands-on experience (approximately 5 years) in several of the following areas: IC layout, PCB design and layout. You’ll need to be self-motivated, solutions-focused, and able to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams. Strong communication skills and the ability to engage with scientists, engineers, and manufacturing teams are essential to ensure alignment at every stage of the design process. A solid foundation in science or engineering is also required to understand and translate ion-trap concepts into manufacturable designs that work within the physical and operational constraints of our quantum systems.

The ideal candidate will have diverse experience across PCB and IC layout, ideally with exposure to photonic and RF design. Relevant academic qualifications or equivalent industrial experience are highly valued, along with a background in commercial or industrial environments.

Oxford Ionics is leading the way in quantum technology, and we need skilled, innovative individuals like you. We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career with a world-class team, business stock options, generous annual leave, flexible 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. Oxford Ionics is committed to equal opportunity for all.