Quantum Engineer – QEC Hardware

Jobtailor; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United Kingdom is seeking a hands-on quantum hardware researcher to advance error-correction capabilities at the quantum processing unit level. You will design experiments, prototype devices, calibrate systems and analyse data to demonstrate scalable components for quantum error correction.

You will combine experimental physics with scientific software development, work across cross-disciplinary teams, and take ownership of projects from concept through to reporting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a relevant field; PhD not required.
• Experience delivering scientific research or engineering projects from design to experimentation, analysis and reporting.
• Software development or engineering experience in industry, placement or research setting.
• Strong Python skills or equivalent for experimental automation and data analysis.
• Hands-on experience with experimental physics systems or practical electronics/mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to distil complex information and communicate clear findings.
• Independent, ownership of end-to-end R&D in low-TRL environments.
• Creative, curious mindset and problem-solving ability with prototype hardware.
• Collaborative across scientific, software, control, lab and engineering teams.
• Foundational understanding or genuine interest in quantum computing.

Responsibilities

• Help develop the hardware capabilities required to make quantum error correction practical at the quantum processing unit level.
• Develop, demonstrate and characterise the components and subroutines needed for quantum error correction.
• Explore novel qubits, gates and couplers, readout, reset and initialization methods and integration of error-detection layers.
• Combine hands-on experimental physics, scientific software development and quantum processor characterisation.
• Take ownership of research and development projects across their full lifecycle—from design to calibration and reporting.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to bring up novel devices and understand control, cryogenic and signal-delivery infrastructure.
• Occasional domestic and international travel for conferences and collaborative programmes.

Skills

Experimental physics

Python programming

Data analysis

Experiment automation

Collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Creativity

Curiosity

Education

Master’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic Engineering

Tools

Python

Cryogenic systems

Job description

• Help develop the hardware capabilities required to make quantum error correction practical at the quantum processing unit level.


• Develop, demonstrate and characterise the components and subroutines needed for quantum error correction.


• Explore novel qubits, gates and couplers, alongside readout, reset and initialisation methods and the integration of inner error-detection and outer error-correction layers.


• Combine hands‑on experimental physics, scientific software development and quantum processor characterisation.


• Take ownership of research and development projects across their full lifecycle—from designing experiments and preparing prototype devices through to calibration, data analysis and reporting.


• Work with engineers and scientists across OQC, help bring up novel devices, investigate unconventional operating regimes and build a system-level understanding of the control, cryogenic and signal‑delivery infrastructure that supports quantum error correction.


• May involve occasional domestic and international travel for scientific conferences and collaborative research programmes.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or a related discipline. A PhD is not required.


• Experience delivering scientific research or engineering projects from initial design through to experimentation, analysis and reporting.


• Software development or engineering experience gained in an industry, placement or research setting beyond purely personal or coursework-based use.


• Strong Python skills, or experience with a comparable language, for experimental automation, data analysis and scientific tooling.


• Hands‑on experience with experimental physics systems such as microwave, optical, cold‑atom or vacuum setups, or strong evidence of practical electronics and mechanical aptitude.


• The ability to analyse and distil complex scientific information and communicate clear findings and recommendations.


• Confidence working independently and taking ownership of end‑to‑end research and development within low technology‑readiness environments.


• Creativity, curiosity and comfort solving problems involving prototype hardware with unfamiliar behaviours or capabilities.


• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across scientific, software, control, laboratory and engineering teams.


• A foundational understanding of—or genuine interest in—quantum computing. Deeper quantum knowledge can be developed within the role.


• The ‘Nice‑to‑Haves’


• Experience measuring, operating or characterising quantum systems.


• Knowledge of superconducting qubits, trapped ions, photonics, solid‑state spin systems, neutral atoms or another quantum‑computing architecture.


• Experience with superconducting resonators, SQUIDs, microwave kinetic‑inductance detectors, nano‑electromechanical resonators or surface‑acoustic‑wave devices.


• Experience using or developing microwave‑frequency hardware.


• Experience simulating the quantum or radio‑frequency properties of superconducting circuits.


• Hands‑on experience preparing and installing samples within cryogenic enclosures.


• Familiarity with RF or DC wiring, cryogenic refrigeration, vacuum systems or automated low‑noise measurements.


• Scientific publication or presentation experience, particularly within superconducting circuits or experimental quantum technologies.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in experimental physics and quantum computing, with strong capabilities in Python for data analysis and automation. Proven ability to manage research projects from design to reporting, collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Experimental Physics Systems


• Python Programming


• Quantum Computing Knowledge


• Research Project Management


• Data Analysis

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Quantum Error Correction


• Microwave Systems


• Optical Systems


• Cold-Atom Systems


• Vacuum Systems


• Electronics


• Mechanical Aptitude


• Scientific Software Development


• Data Analysis


• Prototype Development

Soft Skills

• Collaboration


• Problem Solving


• Communication


• Creativity


• Curiosity

Industry Keywords

• Quantum Computing


• Superconducting Qubits


• Trapped Ions


• Photonics


• Solid‑State Spin Systems


• Neutral Atoms


• Superconducting Resonators


• SQUIDs


• Microwave Kinetic‑Inductance Detectors


• Nano‑Electromechanical Resonators

Tools & Technologies

• Cryogenic Enclosures


• Automated Low‑Noise Measurements


• RF Wiring


• DC Wiring


• Microwave‑Frequency Hardware