Photonics Technical Lead

Infleqtion, Inc.; Oxford, Harwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Incentive Stock Option Plan

10% pension contribution

Cycle to work scheme

BUPA Private Healthcare Insurance

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Infleqtion, Inc. is seeking a Photonics Technical Lead to develop and execute a photonics roadmap. The role involves overseeing technical project execution, leading research and development activities, and building partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Photonics, along with 5+ years of relevant experience.

This position is based in Kidlington, Oxford, with a hybrid work model. Benefits include a competitive salary, stock options, and generous pension contributions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience post-PhD developing PIC-based devices or integrated photonic systems.
• Experience leading technical projects and teams in multidisciplinary environments.
• Hands-on experience with commercial photonics design and simulation tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK integrated photonics capability and act as primary technical contact.
• Oversee technical performance of photonics projects and ensure alignment with objectives.
• Build, lead, and mentor the photonics team.

Skills

Integrated photonics

Photonics simulation techniques

Silicon photonics design

Leadership

Project management

Education

PhD in Photonics or Optoelectronics

Tools

Lumerical

Synopsys

Job description

ABOUT US

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world’s most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables “quantum everywhere” through our ecosystem of devices and platforms. Our mission is to commercialise atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude improvements in performance and computing applications.

LOCATION

Infleqtion has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. This is a full-time position mainly in our Kidlington, Oxford office with the occasional requirement to be in the National Quantum Computing Centre, Harwell. Work from home permitted up to 2 days per week based on business needs and manager approval.

POSITION SUMMARY

ThePhotonics Technical Lead (PTL)plays a strategic role in shaping and advancingInfleqtion'sintegrated photonics capabilities, working closely with global technical and business leaders to transition innovative technologies into products and customer solutions.

As the UK technical lead and primary point of contact for integrated photonics, this roleis responsible fordeveloping and executing the photonics roadmap across a portfolio of projects spanning photonic integrated circuits (PICs), laser systems, and integrated photonic subsystems for quantum technologies. The role will collaborate extensively with multidisciplinary teams acrossInfleqtion'sUK, US, and Australian operations to align technology development with company strategy, product roadmaps, and customer needs.

Primary responsibilities include overseeing technical project execution, leading photonicsresearchand development activities, managing technical personnel, developing external partnerships, andidentifyingopportunities to transition photonics technologies into commercial products. The successful candidate will combine deep technicalexpertisewith strong leadership skills to helpestablishand growInfleqtion'sglobal photonics capabilities.

Project and Technical Leadership

• Lead the UK integrated photonics capability and act as the primary technical point of contact for photonics activities.
• Oversee the technical performance of a portfolio of photonics projects, ensuring alignment with business, product, and customer objectives.
• Develop andmaintaintechnical roadmaps for PICs, laser systems, and integrated photonic subsystems.
• Collaborate with Quantum Systems teams toidentifyand develop integrated photonics opportunities.
• Set technicalobjectives, assess feasibility, manage technical risks, and support project delivery.
• Present technical updates, milestone reviews, design reviews, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify technologies suitable for product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property protection.

Integrated Photonics Development

• Lead the design, simulation, layout, fabrication, testing, and packaging of silicon photonics PICs.
• Design and develop photonic components including lasers, modulators, passive devices, and integrated subsystems.
• Work with foundry partners, III-V gain chip suppliers, and packaging companies to develop and integrate photonic devices.
• Lead laboratory testing and characterisation of PIC-based devices, including automated test methods.
• Characterise lasers and modulated laser systems, including DC measurements, frequency noise, relative intensity noise, and high-speed waveform analysis.
• Evaluate micro-combs and PIC-based approaches for miniature frequency combs and atom-addressing applications.

Team, Stakeholder, and Partner Engagement

• Build, lead, and mentor technical contributors within the photonics team.
• Assign responsibilities and guide project-level technical contributors toward successful outcomes.
• Work closely with global technical teams across the UK, US, and Australia.
• Act as a technical interface with partners, suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and collaborators.
• Support proposal development, statements of work, technical planning, and externally funded programme activities.
• Promote strong HSE practices and safe working culture in laboratory environments.

What You Will Bring to the Team

Technical Knowledge

• PhD in Photonics, Optoelectronics, or a related discipline.
• Deepexpertisein integrated photonics and PIC-based device development.
• Advancedproficiencyin photonics simulation techniques, including FDTD, EME, FEM, BPM, or similar methods.
• Hands-on experience with commercial photonics design, simulation, and layout tools such asLumerical, Synopsys, or similar.
• Strong understanding of silicon photonics design, layout, fabrication, packaging, and test workflows.
• Experience with lasers, modulators, passive photonic devices, frequency combs, and high-speed optical measurement systems.
• Ability to quickly understand complex technical concepts and communicate them clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Experience

• 5+ years’ experiencepost PhDdeveloping PIC-based devices or integrated photonic systems in quantum, telecom, sensing, datacom, or related fields.
• Experience leading technical projects, teams, or work packages in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience working with foundries, packaging partners,componentsuppliers, or external collaborators.
• Track recordof developing complex technologies from concept through validation, prototype, or product transition.
• Experience supporting proposals, externally funded projects, or customer-facing technical programmes.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, collaborative, matrixed environment.

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Experience with atomic physics applications.
• Experience with heterogeneous integration of III-V and silicon photonic devices.
• Knowledge of micro-combs, optical frequency combs, or laser frequency stabilisation.
• Experience with automated photonics test systems and data analysis.
• Familiarity with product development, commercialisation, and IP generation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are dedicated to providing a positive workplace and base all employment decisions on your qualifications, performance, merits, as well as business needs. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Incentive Stock Option Plan
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution
• Cycle to workscheme
• Tax efficient technology schemesBUPA Private Healthcare Insurance once probationary period is successfully completed
• Unlimited PTO subject to fair usage