Senior Manager, System Operations

Senior Manager, System Operations

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to ensure our quantum computers run smoothly and efficiently.
  • Company: Join IonQ, a leader in quantum computing innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, flexible working, and generous leave.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse community of innovators driving quantum advancements.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of quantum technology and make a real-world impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing technical teams and a background in physics or related fields.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Quantum is now, and it's built here. 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. Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world's most complex problems. IonQ's newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting‑edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two‑qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025. The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

We are looking for a Senior Manager, System Operations to join our System Operations team at IonQ. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the team that keeps our quantum computers running reliably for customers worldwide, while improving resilience, performance, throughput, and efficiency across the fleet. You will contribute to the team's mission of ensuring the smooth operation, deployment, and continuous improvement of our commercial quantum systems. You'll play an important part in shaping the operational processes, tools, and systems that support our work in building the world's most advanced quantum systems.

What You'll be Doing:

  • Lead and develop a team of physicists responsible for maintaining and improving IonQ's commercial quantum computing fleet;
  • Build team strategy and tactical plans across fleet operations, incident management, deployment, and operational improvement;
  • Manage priorities, schedules, costs, inventory, and sparing strategies across the operations programme;
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, physicists, senior leaders, customers, and vendors to improve operational outcomes and influence future designs;
  • Define and manage key performance metrics, while leading resolution of complex operational issues impacting commercial QPU systems.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physics or a related field, with experience managing physicists, scientists, or system engineers;
  • 5+ years of hands‑on technical leadership and people management experience, including managing multiple projects, priorities, and deliverables;
  • Ability to identify and communicate design flaws in production systems, using sound technical judgement to improve reliability;
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas to a range of technical and non-technical audiences;
  • Knowledge of operational excellence practices in systems environments, including incident management and Learning From Incidents.

You'd be a great fit with:

  • 10+ years of technical leadership and people management experience, including prior experience managing managers;
  • Experience with automation, calibration, and operations management for complex technical systems;
  • Direct experience in reliability engineering, resilience engineering, or related disciplines;
  • Experience working in distributed on‑call or 24/7 operational environments;
  • Prior experience with quantum computing, or a strong affinity for DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering, and relevant programming languages such as Python, Go, or JavaScript.

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.

Senior Manager, System Operations employer: The American Physical Society

At IonQ, we are at the forefront of quantum computing innovation, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead a talented team of physicists and engineers dedicated to transforming technology. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our competitive salary, stock options, and comprehensive benefits, including flexible working arrangements and private medical insurance. Join us in Oxford and be part of a collaborative culture that values diversity and empowers you to make a real-world impact in the rapidly evolving field of quantum technology.
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Contact Detail:

The American Physical Society Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, System Operations

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the quantum computing space, especially those at IonQ or similar companies. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and show your enthusiasm for the field.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex operational issues in the past and how you can contribute to IonQ's mission.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for quantum technology! During interviews, share your thoughts on the future of quantum computing and how you see yourself playing a role in that journey at IonQ.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the IonQ team and contributing to our groundbreaking work.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, System Operations

Technical Leadership
People Management
Operational Excellence
Incident Management
Reliability Engineering
Resilience Engineering
Automation
Calibration
Project Management
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Performance Metrics Management
Quantum Computing Knowledge
Programming Languages (Python, Go, JavaScript)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Manager, System Operations role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and technical projects, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant skills in quantum computing or operational excellence.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about quantum technology and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to get to know you!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams, improved processes, or tackled complex challenges in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!

How to prepare for a job interview at The American Physical Society

✨Know Your Quantum Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your quantum computing knowledge, especially around trapped-ion technology and operational excellence practices. Being able to discuss IonQ's systems and their performance metrics will show that you're genuinely interested and well-prepared.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in technical environments. Highlight your experience in managing priorities and improving operational outcomes, as this role is all about leading a team of physicists and engineers.

✨Communicate Clearly

Practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms. You'll need to demonstrate strong communication skills, so think about how you can convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences during the interview.

✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving

Expect to tackle some hypothetical operational issues during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you would approach resolving complex problems, using your technical judgement and experience in incident management to improve reliability and efficiency.

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