Cleanroom Operations Manager

Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC); Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) is building a manufacturing platform for world‑leading quantum technologies. As Cleanroom Operations Manager, you will lead day‑to‑day cleanroom operations to scale fabrication, enforce safe practices and drive reliable production.

You'll manage a team of engineers and technicians, align equipment readiness with production goals, and collaborate with engineering, quality and facilities to deliver high‑quality quantum hardware at scale.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operations within a cleanroom, semiconductor manufacturing, fabrication or similar high‑tech environment.
• Experience managing engineers/technicians, including coaching, task allocation and performance management.
• Strong ability to coordinate production schedules, equipment readiness and maintenance activities in complex environments.
• Experience using operational KPIs to improve reliability, throughput, and delivery performance.
• Familiarity with SOPs, controlled documentation and traceability requirements.
• Strong planning, stakeholder management and organisational skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day operation of the cleanroom, aligning resources and priorities with fabrication goals.
• Coach and develop engineers and technicians for performance and capability growth.
• Coordinate equipment readiness, maintenance, consumables and inventory to maximise uptime.
• Monitor KPIs and drive improvements in reliability, throughput, quality and safety.
• Maintain robust SOPs and traceability for controlled fabrication processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, facilities, quality, supply chain and programme teams.
• Support industrialisation and scheduling improvements to expand capacity.

Skills

Operational leadership

Team coaching

Production scheduling

KPI driven improvements

SOPs & documentation

Stakeholder management

Safety & quality focus

Process optimisation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Physics/Microelectronics

Master’s degree (nice-to-have)

Job description

At OQC, we aren't just theorising about the future; we're building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we've successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality. The most exciting thing is that we're just getting started and we've recently closed our £260 million Series C funding round - the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.

The Purpose

As our Cleanroom Operations Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day operation of OQC's cleanroom as we scale the manufacture of world-leading quantum technologies. You'll build the operational discipline, team capability and processes that enable safe, reliable and efficient fabrication while supporting the next generation of quantum hardware.

The Role

Leading a team of engineers and technicians, you'll oversee cleanroom operations, equipment readiness, maintenance planning and operational excellence. Working closely with engineering, quality, facilities, supply chain and programme teams, you'll ensure our fabrication environment operates safely, efficiently and is ready to support increasing production demands.

What You'll Be Working On

• Lead the day-to-day operation of OQC's cleanroom, ensuring resources, equipment and priorities are aligned to fabrication goals
• Manage, coach and develop a team of engineers and technicians, supporting performance, capability growth and operational excellence
• Coordinate equipment readiness, maintenance, consumables and inventory to maximise uptime and minimise disruption
• Monitor operational KPIs, identify delivery risks and drive continuous improvements in reliability, throughput, quality and safety
• Maintain robust operational procedures, documentation, SOPs and traceability to support controlled fabrication processes
• Collaborate with engineering, facilities, quality, supply chain and programme teams to ensure operational readiness and successful delivery
• Support the continued industrialisation of OQC's fabrication capability by improving scheduling, operational controls and team effectiveness

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading operations within a cleanroom, semiconductor manufacturing, fabrication, production or other critical technical environment
• Experience managing or leading engineers, technicians or operational teams, including coaching, task allocation and performance management
• Strong experience coordinating production schedules, equipment readiness and maintenance activities in complex technical environments
• Experience using operational KPIs to improve reliability, utilisation, throughput and delivery performance
• Experience working with SOPs, controlled documentation, traceability requirements and operational processes
• Strong planning, stakeholder management and organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities
• Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Microelectronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Production Management or a related discipline

The 'Nice-to-Haves'

• Experience supporting industrialisation, production ramp-up or operational excellence programmes
• Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Microelectronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Production Management or a related discipline

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