Lead Optical Engineer - 348

Quantinuum; City Of London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading quantum technology firm is seeking a Lead Optical Engineer to drive the development and design of optical systems for quantum computing projects. The role demands a Master's degree and over 10 years of experience in optical components, offering an annual salary of $158,000 to $197,000. The company emphasizes mentorship and values extensive experience in optical modeling and coherent optics development. Join a revolutionary team reshaping the future of technology.

Benefits

Flexible work schedule

Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit

Equity and retirement savings plan

Paid parental leave

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years’ experience with optical components.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to contractual requirements.
• Experience debugging optical systems is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead design projects for optical systems.
• Participate in developing commercial and research systems.
• Conduct optical modeling to validate technologies.

Skills

Optical modeling and analysis

Experience with scattering and stray light modeling

Experience with coherent optics development

Experience with optical modeling software

Experience with CAD software

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Optics, Applied Physics, or related field

Master’s Degree minimum

Tools

Zemax

Code V

LighTools

FRED

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Optical Engineer in our Broomfield, CO Location.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in a team of physicists, optical, and opto-mechanical engineers supporting the development of commercial and research systems for quantum computing
• Optical modeling and analysis for coherent micro-optical and photonic systems to understand how systems and in new and novel ways to create, deliver and measure light in our next generation quantum computer systems
• Lead development and design projects that validate technologies, methods, alignment, and suppliers that leads to production solutions.

You Must Have

• Master’s Degree minimum
• Minimum 10+ years’ experience (advanced degree inclusive) with optical components and systems modeling and analysis..
• Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person. defined as, U.S. citizen permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status
• Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People’s Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

We Value

• Ph.D. or Masters in Optics, Applied Physics, or a related field
• 6+ years experience with scattering and stray light modeling and metrology
• 4+ years experience with coherent optics development utilizing diffractive optics (DOEs) and/or metasurfaces
• 4+ years experience with optical coatings modeling and metrology
• Experience architecting complex optical systems and deriving optical system requirements from system-level requirements
• Experience organizing and setting up optical metrology systems to validate modeling results
• Experience debugging and troubleshooting optical and photonic systemsExperience executing engineering trade studies
• Experience working with wavelengths from UV to Infrared
• Experience with optical modeling software (Zemax preferred, Code V, LighTools, FRED)
• Experience with single photon detectors a plus
• Experience with CAD software a plus
• Experience mentoring junior engineers in best development practices and optical design methodologies

$158,000 - $197,000 a year

Compensation & Benefits

Incentive Eligible – Range posted is inclusive of bonus target when applicable

The pay range for this role is $158,000 – $197,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate’s skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.

Quantinuum is the world’s largest integrated quantum company, driving breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-generation quantum AI. With a team of more than 600 employees, including more than 420 of them being scientists and engineers, we are leading the worldwide quantum computing revolution.

By uniting best-in-class software with high-fidelity hardware, our integrated full-stack approach is accelerating the path to practical quantum computing and scaling its impact across multiple industries.

As we celebrate the International Year of Quantum, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of this rapidly evolving field. Byjoining Quantinuum, you’ll be at the forefront of this transformative revolution, shaping the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible.

What is in it for you?

A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work

Flexible work schedule

Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit

Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time

Paid parental leave

Employee discounts

Quantinuum is an equal opportunity employer. You will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.