Quantum Control Engineer

OQC; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

OQC in Reading, United Kingdom, is seeking a Quantum Engineer (Control) to push quantum processor performance through advanced control techniques and systematic calibration pipelines. You will collaborate across product development, calibration, processor innovation, and software teams to translate laboratory breakthroughs into scalable, production-ready workflows.

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent experience, have strong Python-based data analysis skills, and a deep understanding of

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent professional experience in physics, quantum engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience measuring or modelling quantum systems.
• Experience developing scientific software for experiment control, numerical analysis or simulation.
• Strong programming and data-analysis skills using Python or an equivalent language.
• Strong understanding of quantum mechanics and qubit control.
• Ability to diagnose complex, system-level performance issues across hardware and software boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and experimentally validate high-fidelity single- and two-qubit operations.
• Design, optimise and benchmark pulse shapes using quantum control, numerical optimisation and experimental techniques.
• Characterise gate error mechanisms, including coherent error, leakage, crosstalk, drift and control-chain distortion.
• Build robust experimental pipelines, data-analysis workflows and performance benchmarks for quantum processors.
• Define calibration requirements and partner with Calibration Engineering and Calibration Operations to operationalise successful methods.
• Evaluate new devices with Processor Innovation, providing clear feedback on gate performance and processor behaviour.
• Transfer new control techniques into OQC’s production software stack, documenting methods, acceptance criteria and evidence for technical handover.

Skills

Python

Quantum control

Data analysis

Experiment design

Numerical optimization

Troubleshooting

Scientific communication

Collaborative teamwork

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Qiskit

PennyLane

Cirq

Job description

Quantum Engineer (Control)

At OQC, we aren’t just theorising about the future; we’re building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we’ve successfully transitioned quantum computing from an academic dream into a commercial reality. The most exciting thing is that we’re just getting started and we’ve recently closed our £260 million Series C funding round – the largest fundraise ever completed by a quantum computing company in Europe.

The Purpose

Help push the performance of OQC’s quantum processors through advanced control theory, pulse optimisation and rigorous processor characterisation. You’ll develop and validate techniques that improve gate fidelity and stability, turning experimental breakthroughs into scalable calibration capabilities while providing insight that shapes future chip design.

The Role

As a Quantum Engineer specialising in control, you’ll take quantum control methods from initial experiment through to system-level calibration pipelines. Working across Advanced Product Development, Calibration Engineering, Processor Innovation, Compiler and software teams, you’ll diagnose complex performance challenges and translate successful techniques into repeatable, production-ready workflows.

What You\'re Working On

• Develop and experimentally validate high-fidelity single- and two-qubit operations.
• Design, optimise and benchmark pulse shapes using quantum control, numerical optimisation and experimental techniques.
• Characterise gate error mechanisms, including coherent error, leakage, crosstalk, drift and control-chain distortion.
• Build robust experimental pipelines, data-analysis workflows and performance benchmarks for quantum processors.
• Define calibration requirements and partner with Calibration Engineering and Calibration Operations to operationalise successful methods.
• Evaluate new devices with Processor Innovation, providing clear feedback on gate performance and processor behaviour.
• Transfer new control techniques into OQC’s production software stack, documenting methods, acceptance criteria and evidence for technical handover.

What We\'re Looking For

• A PhD, or equivalent professional experience, in physics, quantum engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics or a related discipline.
• Experience measuring or modelling quantum systems.
• Experience developing scientific software for experiment control, numerical analysis or simulation.
• Strong scientific programming and data-analysis skills using Python or an equivalent language.
• A strong understanding of quantum mechanics and qubit control.
• Experience with numerical analysis, parameter estimation, experimental design and optimisation.
• The ability to diagnose complex, system-level performance issues across hardware and software boundaries.
• Clear and concise scientific communication, including confident technical presentation skills.
• A collaborative, ownership-driven approach with strong problem-solving and prioritisation skills.

The \'Nice-to-Haves\'

• Experience working with superconducting qubits and microwave control systems.
• Experience developing, calibrating or experimentally characterising quantum processors.
• Hands-on experience optimising single- or two-qubit gates through pulse-level control.
• Familiarity with randomised benchmarking, gate set tomography or algorithmic benchmarking.
• Experience investigating crosstalk, drift, coherent errors or signal-chain distortion.
• Experience transferring experimental methods into repeatable engineering or operational workflows.
• Knowledge of machine learning or numerical optimisation techniques applied to physical systems.
• Familiarity with control electronics, waveform generation and microwave signal chains.
• Experience with quantum software frameworks such as Qiskit, PennyLane or Cirq.

Why Join OQC

You will join a world-class team at the forefront of the next computational era. We offer a culture of bold innovation, the chance to work with unique lab infrastructure, and the opportunity to see your work redefine the limits of computation.

Learn more about our benefits and positive work culture here: https://oqc.tech/company/careers-at-oqc/