QRF Lead Scientist

Infleqtion; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus Program

Incentive Stock Option Plan

Unlimited PTO

Pension contribution (10%)

Private healthcare insurance

Life assurance (4x salary)

Job summary

Infleqtion in the United Kingdom seeks an exceptional Lead Scientist to accelerate product development for quantum RF systems in the UK. You will set the scientific direction, strategy, and risk management while leading a team of scientists toward robust experimental outcomes.

The role blends hands-on leadership with strategic planning, working with engineering, product, and operations to deliver technically sound solutions and compelling scientific narratives to customers and funders.

Qualifications

• PhD in AMO physics required.
• Several years leading technical projects and teams.
• Experience with Rydberg physics and electrometry.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the scientific and experimental strategy for the portfolio.
• Own the physics architecture and performance models.
• Guide data analysis, interpretation, and validation of results.
• Mentor and line-manage the portfolio science team.
• Collaborate with engineering to translate scientific requirements into system designs.
• Support roadmap, proposals, and customer engagement.
• Contribute to IP, publications, and technical communications.

Skills

Rydberg physics

AMO physics

Leadership

Laser systems

RF electronics

Python

C++

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

PhD in AMO physics

Tools

SolidWorks

Zemax

Altium

Job description

ABOUT THE COMPANY

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 based in Kidlington, Oxford. Work from home permitted up to 2 days per week based on business needs and manager approval.

Position Summary

We are looking for an exceptional Lead Scientist to accelerate product development for our quantum RF (QRF) systems in the UK. The Lead Scientist is the scientific authority within a portfolio, responsible for the physics-led direction, experimental strategy, scientific performance, technical interpretation, and scientific risk management. The role combines hands‑on technical leadership with team leadership and review, ensuring that experimental work, modelling, data analysis, and scientific decision‑making are technically sound, robust, credible, and aligned with the portfolio roadmap, programme objectives, and product goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the scientific and experimental strategy for the portfolio.
• Own the physics architecture, key scientific assumptions, and technical performance models.
• Guide experimental design, data analysis, technical interpretation, and performance validation.
• Identify and manage scientific risks, uncertainties, and performance limitations, working closely with the project manager to document these clearly in the risk register along with mitigation strategies.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership where required, including review of experimental plans, results, and technical conclusions.
• Lead, mentor, and line‑manage the portfolio science team.
• Work closely with the engineering team to ensure scientific requirements are translated into robust engineering requirements and system designs.
• Support the Portfolio Lead in roadmap development, proposal development, customer engagement, and technical decision‑making.
• Contribute to IP identification, technical publications, and scientific communications in collaboration with the Portfolio Lead and CTO.
• Represent the portfolio scientific credibility with customers, funders, collaborators, and internal stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics

Technical Knowledge and Experience

• Multiple years of relevant and progressive experience in a technical project team context, including several years of leadership experience.
• Rydberg physics and their interactions, particularly when applied to Rydberg‑atom electrometry.
• Substantial experience post‑PhD manipulating atoms, ions, or molecules with light, including optical design, alignment, and control of complex laser systems.
• Experience working with complex, advanced technology systems combining mechanical, electrical, RF, optical, and software components.
• Working knowledge of control systems and signal processing.
• Experience with proposal, experimentation, design, development, and transition of technically complex solutions and/or products.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams (engineering, science, product, and operational stakeholders).
• Direct and hands‑on experience supporting externally funded projects.
• Ability to work and communicate with all levels of an organization; professional‑level communication skills, including verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.

Desired Skills

• Ability to effectively influence and drive project team members and stakeholders.
• Experience in RF electronics and signal processing techniques.
• Proficiency in a programming language (e.g. Python, Rust, C++).
• Deep knowledge in time and frequency measurements.
• Understanding of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) practices and modelling workplace safety culture.
• Experience of project management techniques and different project types (agile and waterfall).
• Familiarity with mechanical, optical, and electronic design packages (e.g. SolidWorks, Zemax, Altium).

Travel

Up to 10% travel, including international travel, may be required

Working conditions and Physical Requirements

Work will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment. 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). Will involve sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and carrying up to 10 kg.

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.

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

• Competitive salary
• Bonus Program
• Incentive Stock Option Plan
• Unlimited PTO subject to fair usage
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Tax efficient technology schemes
• BUPA Private Healthcare Insurance once probationary period is successfully completed
• Life assurance (4 x salary)