Cleanroom Operations Manager

Oxford Quantum Circuits; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Quantum Circuits is seeking a Cleanroom Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of its cleanroom as the team scales fabrication of world-leading quantum technologies. You will build operational discipline, team capability and processes to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing while supporting next-generation hardware.

You will oversee engineers and technicians, coordinate equipment readiness and maintenance, and collaborate with engineering, quality, facilities

Qualifications

• Experience leading operations within a cleanroom or similar critical technical environment.
• Experience managing engineers, technicians or operational teams with coaching and performance management.
• Strong planning and stakeholder management with the ability to balance competing priorities.
• Experience coordinating production schedules and equipment readiness 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.
• Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of OQC's cleanroom and align resources with fabrication goals.
• Manage and develop a team of engineers and technicians for performance and capability growth.
• Coordinate equipment readiness, maintenance, consumables and inventory to maximise uptime.
• Monitor operational KPIs and drive improvements in reliability, throughput and safety.
• Maintain robust SOPs, documentation and traceability for controlled fabrication processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, facilities, quality, supply chain and programme teams for readiness and delivery.
• Support industrialisation of fabrication through improved scheduling and team effectiveness.

Skills

Cleanroom operations leadership

Team coaching and development

Production scheduling

Operational KPIs management

SOPs and traceability

Stakeholder management

Safety and quality focus

Planning and organisation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Microelectronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Production Management or a related discipline

Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Microelectronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Production Management or a related discipline

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.