Engineering Operations Lead — Lab & Equipment

OQC; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions

Income protection

Enhanced family leave

Job summary

OQC is seeking an Engineering Operations Supervisor to lead the labs and workshops at our Reading site, ensuring safe, compliant and well‑organised environments that enable engineers to build and test quantum computers.

You’ll oversee day‑to‑day operations, coordinate equipment maintenance, procurement and budgets, and work with Quantum and Control Engineers. This role requires hands‑on leadership, strong safety practices and effective collaboration with contractors.

Qualifications

• Experience leading people or coordinating technical teams in laboratories or workshops.
• Experience managing technical laboratories or workshops, ideally in data centres or critical facilities.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory health and safety requirements and risk identification.
• Experience coordinating procurement, equipment purchases, supplier relationships and budget approvals.
• Vendor and supplier-management skills, including scheduling maintenance and managing external contractors.
• Hands-on experience with assembly and fitting of scientific or engineering equipment.

Responsibilities

• Own the safe, compliant operation of laboratory and workshop environments, coordinating with Facilities Operations Manager and external auditors.
• Coordinate equipment installation, maintenance and procurement, focusing on cryogenic systems and related infrastructure.
• Manage technical work orders from engineers, prioritising and tracking to completion.
• Respond to equipment failures and safety incidents, mitigating risks and escalating complex issues.
• Support assembly, testing and maintenance of quantum computers and scientific equipment.
• Manage stock, orders, budgets and forecasts with Director of Engineering Operations.
• Document processes, train staff in safety and maintain installation support at deployment sites.

Skills

People leadership

Laboratory operations

Procurement & budgeting

Health and safety

Cryogenic systems knowledge

Electrical measurement techniques

Education

Engineering apprenticeship, BTEC, HNC/HND or degree

Job description

OQC is seeking an Engineering Operations Supervisor to lead the labs and workshops at our Reading site, ensuring safe, compliant and well‑organised environments that enable engineers to build and test quantum computers.

You’ll oversee day‑to‑day operations, coordinate equipment maintenance, procurement and budgets, and work with Quantum and Control Engineers. This role requires hands‑on leadership, strong safety practices and effective collaboration with contractors.