Senior Technician in Reading

At OQC we design and build some of the world’s most advanced quantum computers. Our Senior Technicians play a pivotal role in keeping the heartbeat of our technical facilities and equipment strong. You’ll ensure our cryogenic systems, workshops and experimental spaces run flawlessly, creating a safe, seamless and well-supported environment that empowers our quantum teams to push the frontiers of technology.

We’re looking for someone who has grown their career in technical or industrial environments and knows how to keep complex labs and workshops running safely and smoothly. You’ll have experience implementing safe working practices, leading risk assessments and taking ownership of technical spaces to ensure they operate at the highest standards. You’ll be comfortable and capable of delivering technical work independently across our labs, workshops and data centres. If you’ve led technician teams, supported project management or managed multiple sites globally, that’s a real bonus - bringing extra confidence and leadership to our operation.

Reporting to Chris Nicholson, Laboratory Supervisor, you will:

• Take the lead in organising and scheduling key laboratory equipment, including cryogenic dilution refrigerators, ensuring our quantum labs are always ready for cutting‑edge experiments.
• Build, maintain and continually improve safe operating processes, from risk assessments to full systems of work, shaping how our technical spaces run.
• Manage relationships with specialist vendors, coordinating service visits and keeping critical systems—compressors, chillers, oxygen detection—running at peak performance.
• Keep our cryolabs and workshops safe, clean and fully operational, solving issues quickly so engineers can focus on pushing quantum boundaries.
• Own health & safety across technical environments, documenting standards, logging incidents and ensuring compliance with internal and external audits.
• Support and deliver H&S training, helping teams work confidently and safely in highly technical environments.
• Maintain and troubleshoot equipment, taking first‑response ownership of technical issues during shifts and on‑call, and escalating complex challenges when needed.
• Ensure work orders from engineers are completed accurately and on time, helping to keep projects moving smoothly.
• Keep the labs well‑stocked and resourced, coordinating with the purchasing teams and technicians through regular stock checks and equipment requests.
• Contribute to the build and maintenance of our computers—assembling hardware, supporting mechanical and electrical builds and ensuring all systems remain steady, stable and ready for operation.

We build complex systems that rely on precise vacuum work, careful electrical measurements, and accurate mechanical assembly. You’ll be hands‑on with scientific equipment and cooling systems, helping create the stable environments our processors need.

What matters most is how you work—solving problems thoughtfully, communicating clearly, and staying persistent when challenges arise. Creativity, influence, and good listening help you collaborate across teams, while decisiveness and assertiveness keep projects moving in a fast, technical environment.

The right candidate will be able to work on‑site full time, is comfortable with the physical nature of the role, and holds a valid driving licence to travel between locations, ideally with experience driving a van, though this is a bonus rather than a requirement. They should also be willing to take part in an on‑call rota to support operational needs. The role will also require international travel to work on deployed systems, sometimes at short notice.

Join us and play a key role in powering the next generation of quantum technology.