QRF Lead Engineer

Infleqtion; Kidlington; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus program

Incentive Stock Option Plan

Generous pension 10%

Unlimited PTO

BUPA healthcare

Life assurance

Cycle to work

Technology scheme

Job summary

Infleqtion seeks a Lead Engineer to accelerate product development for our quantum RF systems in the UK. The role owns engineering delivery across the full product lifecycle, translating R&D into robust, integrated systems.

You will manage architecture, coordinate hardware, software, and optical teams, ensure design controls and documentation, and drive readiness for deployment or productisation. A master’s degree and 10+ years in technical leadership in quantum or deep-tech are preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering, physics or similar STEM field(s), or equivalent vocational qualification(s).
• 10+ years of experience in a technical leadership role such as a product owner, design authority, or technical programme manager particularly in quantum technology, advanced hardware, computing, defence, or deep-tech sectors.
• Experience working with complex, advanced technology systems combining mechanical, electrical, RF, optical, and software components.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (engineering, science, product, and commercial stakeholders)
• Exceptional communication and technical documentation skills
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills

Responsibilities

• Own the portfolio engineering architecture, system design approach, and engineering execution plan.
• Translate scientific and programme requirements into engineering requirements, design decisions, and verification plans.
• Lead engineering trade-offs across performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Manage engineering domain leads assigned to the portfolio, coordinating hardware, software, mechanical, electrical, optical, systems, and verification activities as required.
• Ensure engineering work follows appropriate design controls, documentation standards, configuration management, and review processes.
• Drive integration, test, verification, validation, and readiness for deployment or productisation.
• Work closely with the physics leads to ensure the system design preserves the required scientific performance.
• Work with project management to ensure engineering plans, dependencies, and risks are captured and actively managed.
• Support the Portfolio Lead in technical roadmap development, proposal development, supplier engagement, and customer discussions.
• Ensure the portfolio is progressing through the full product lifecycle, from research prototype to engineered system.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional teams

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in engineering/physics

Tools

UML

SysML

IEEE 15288

INCOSE

Job description

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 is an international company and has multiple sites in the US, and in the United Kingdom and Australia. This position is a full-time position based at our Kidlington (UK) site.

Position Summary

We are looking for an exceptional Lead Engineer to accelerate product development for our quantum RF (QRF) systems in the UK. The lead engineer will be responsible for translating complex R&D into robust, integrated, and deliverable systems. They own engineering delivery across the full product lifecycle, including system architecture, design maturity, integration, verification, documentation, manufacturability, reliability, and the transition from prototype to product. The Lead Engineer will ensure that scientific requirements are converted into coherent engineering designs and executable development plans.

• Own the portfolio engineering architecture, system design approach, and engineering execution plan.
• Translate scientific and programme requirements into engineering requirements, design decisions, and verification plans.
• Lead engineering trade-offs across performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Manage engineering domain leads assigned to the portfolio, coordinating hardware, software, mechanical, electrical, optical, systems, and verification activities as required.
• Ensure engineering work follows appropriate design controls, documentation standards, configuration management, and review processes.
• Drive integration, test, verification, validation, and readiness for deployment or productisation.
• Work closely with the physics leads to ensure the system design preserves the required scientific performance.
• Work with project management to ensure engineering plans, dependencies, and risks are captured and actively managed.
• Support the Portfolio Lead in technical roadmap development, proposal development, supplier engagement, and customer discussions.
• Ensure the portfolio is progressing through the full product lifecycle, from research prototype to engineered system.

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in engineering, physics or similar STEM field(s), or equivalent vocational qualification(s).

Technical Knowledge and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in a technical leadership role such as a product owner, design authority, or technical programme manager particularly in quantum technology, advanced hardware, computing, defence, or deep-tech sectors.
• Proven experience taking emerging technologies from low TRL R&D through to robust, reliable market ready products.
• Experience working with complex, advanced technology systems combining mechanical, electrical, RF, optical, and software components.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (engineering, science, product, and commercial stakeholders)
• Exceptional communication and technical documentation skills
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills

Desired Skills

• Experience in RF electronics and signal processing techniques.
• Experience building systems for deployment in harsh dynamic environments.
• Exposure to AMO physics and quantum control systems.
• Experience with product lifecycle management and systems engineering frameworks such as UML, IEEE 15288, INCOSE, MSBE, SysML, IEEE 29148 etc.

Working conditions and Physical Requirements

Work will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment and around technical equipment including computers and lasers. Able to sit, stand, bend, lift and carry up to 40 pounds without assistance. Able to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers; able to effectively engage in communications (via phone, computer, or in-person). Any required Personal Protective Equipment will be provided and must be properly used in accordance with company requirements.

In addition to your base compensation, we offer a generous Total Rewards program which includes:

• Competitive salary
• Bonus program
• Incentive Stock Option Plan
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution
• Unlimited PTO subject to fair usage
• BUPA healthcare after probation period
• Life assurance (4 x salary)
• Cycle to work and Technology scheme

Travel

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Equal Opportunity

Regardless of your interest in the quantum industry, you can take pride in the fact that Infleqtion is building an ecosystem of quantum technologies and commercial products, driving the industry towards the future. Studies reveal that while men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other groups tend to apply only when they meet all the criteria. If you believe you have the potential but don't meet every single point in our job advertisement, please don't hesitate to contact us! We would love to chat with you and see how you could bring great value to our team. Our goal is to find exceptional individuals who can enrich our team culture, actively contribute, and have a genuine passion for their work. Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin colour, age, appearance, disability, neurodiversity, DNA, military/veteran status, citizenship, and other factors that make up who you are. Your uniqueness is valued, welcomed, and appreciated here. 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.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Infleqtion does not accept unsolicited CV's from agencies. Infleqtion is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CV's.