Optics Technician

Quantum Computing Jobs UK; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Parental/adoption leave

Legal insurance

Home technology stipend

Job summary

IonQ is seeking a Technician to join our Optical Manufacturing team to assist with parts control and hands-on building of sub-assemblies for quantum systems. You will work with engineers, scientists and senior technicians on logistics, builds and ongoing projects.

Ideal candidates have ~3 years in industrial environments, experience following assembly instructions, and familiarity with PPE and safety protocols while handling delicate optics and high-precision components.

Qualifications

• Experience with fibre optics, optics, electronics or vacuum.
• Experience assembling high-precision or delicate parts, handling optics and using lasers.
• Previous experience assembling and testing scientific instrumentation.
• Approx. 3 years in industrial operations and following work instructions for advanced technical assembly tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support the optics team with system builds, upgrades and research projects for quantum computers.
• Provide hands-on support through optical, mechanical and electrical assembly.
• Maintain a tidy and safe lab and workshop environment.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation.

Skills

Fibre optics

Electronics

Vacuum handling

Laser safety

High-precision assembly

Education

Advanced modern apprenticeship (Level 3) in Engineering

Tools

Optical instruments

Job description

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.

Role Overview

At IonQ, we’re building quantum computers by combining trapped‑ion technology with modern microwave engineering. In this role, you’ll contribute directly to the technical projects that support those systems.

Role

We’re searching for a Technician to join our growing Optical Manufacturing team to provide assistance with the control of parts and hands‑on building of our sub‑assemblies. You’ll work alongside engineers, scientists and senior technicians supporting the logistics and assembly of our quantum systems.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for supporting our optics team with system builds, upgrades and ongoing research projects for our quantum computers.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Supporting the optics team with system builds, upgrades and ongoing research projects for our quantum computers.
• Providing hands‑on support through optical, mechanical and electrical assembly.
• Maintaining a tidy and safe lab and workshop environment.
• Producing and maintaining technical documentation.

Requirements

You’ll need practical technical skills and experience in a similar environment. Alongside hands‑on skills, you should demonstrate a proactive approach, excellent attention to detail and a willingness to collaborate effectively within a technical team. We’re looking for relevant industrial operations experience (approx. 3 years), experience following work instructions to complete advanced technical assembly tasks, and experience working in an assembly environment requiring personal protective equipment (PPE).

You’d Be a Great Fit With

• Further qualifications such as an advanced modern apprenticeship (Level 3) in Engineering or equivalent industrial experience.
• Experience working with fibre optics, optics, electronics or vacuum.
• Experience assembling high‑precision or delicate parts, handling optics and using lasers.
• Previous experience assembling and testing scientific instrumentation.

The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available.

Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs.

The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export‑controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs.

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.