Head of Experimental System Integration

Oxford Quantum Circuits; Reading; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Quantum Circuits is seeking a Head of Experimental System Integration to lead the architecture and integration of advanced quantum hardware testbeds, unifying quantum processors, cryogenics, control electronics, firmware and HPC. You will build and lead a highly technical team and drive the roadmap across multiple R&D programmes.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will translate ambitious scientific objectives into reliable, high-performance experimental systems and set standards for

Qualifications

• Deep technical background in quantum hardware or related field.

Responsibilities

• Define and own architecture and integration of experimental quantum hardware testbeds.
• Translate research objectives into system requirements and integration strategies.
• Lead and develop a highly technical team of 5–10 people.
• Shape the technical roadmap and prioritise resources and investment.
• Drive verification standards and repeatable high-performance operation.

Skills

Quantum hardware

Cryogenic systems

Leadership

Project management

Cross-team coordination

Technical roadmap

Experimental systems

Electrical measurement

Education

PhD or equivalent commercial experience

Job description

Head of Experimental System Integration

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 Head of Experimental System Integration, you'll lead the development of the sophisticated experimental platforms that enable OQC to push quantum computing forward. Bringing together quantum processors, cryogenics, control electronics and HPC/real-time decoding, you'll build the integration capability that accelerates our R&D cycles and helps scale OQC towards fault-tolerant logical quantum computing.

The Role

Leading our Experimental System Integration function, you'll operate at the intersection of experimental physics, hardware development and embedded software engineering. You'll own the architecture and integration of our R&D testbeds, lead and develop a highly technical team, and work across OQC’s research programmes to turn ambitious scientific objectives into reliable, high-performance experimental systems.

Reporting to the VP Research, you'll also shape the team's technical roadmap, lead complex research projects and provide clear recommendations on priorities, resources and investment.

What You'll Be Working On

• Lead the architecture and end-to-end integration of experimental quantum hardware testbeds, bringing together quantum processors, cryogenics, control electronics, firmware and HPC.
• Define technology-transfer pathways that turn emerging, high-TRL components and subsystems into stable, high-throughput experimental platforms.
• Embed across OQC’s R&D programmes, translating research objectives into clear system requirements and integration strategies.
• Establish system-level verification, bring-up and validation standards that deliver repeatable, high-performance experimental operation.
• Build and lead a high-performing technical team, owning recruitment, objectives, performance, coaching and long-term capability development.
• Own the Experimental System Integration roadmap and delivery of complex research projects, coordinating resources and work across multiple technical teams.
• Drive operational excellence across experimental systems, improving tooling, diagnostics, uptime, throughput and repeatability while supporting external technical collaborations.

What We're Looking For

• A deep technical background in quantum hardware, cryogenic systems engineering, superconducting qubits or a closely related field.
• Commercial experience within a relevant technical or scientific environment.
• Experience leading and developing a technical team of approximately 5–10 people within a fast-changing organisation.
• Proven ownership of the full lifecycle of complex technical projects, from requirements and architecture through integration and delivery.
• Strong hands‑on understanding of cryogenic system operation and electrical measurement.
• Strong leadership, delegation, project planning, data analysis and technical reporting capability.
• The ability to influence across disciplines, communicate complex technical concepts clearly and guide teams through challenging technical problems.
• Experience coordinating multiple technical teams to deliver against complex research or engineering objectives.
• PhD or equivalent commercial experience.

The 'Nice-to-Haves'

• Experience designing and implementing quantum or cryogenic systems.
• Experience working across a range of quantum or cryogenic system architectures.
• A track record of designing and delivering complex technology to specification.
• Experience coordinating larger multidisciplinary teams to produce complex technical outcomes.
• Strong technology roadmapping capability and experience translating longer-term technical goals into executable programmes.
• Experience developing and managing external partnerships across suppliers, government, commercial organisations or R&D teams.

Why Join OQC

You will join a world-class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.

Learn more about our benefits and positive work culture here: https://oqc.tech/company/careers-at-oqc/