Quantum Engineer - Superconducting Amplifiers & RF Design

OQC; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

OQC is pioneering quantum hardware in Reading, delivering high-performance readout solutions for superconducting qubits. This role develops and optimises superconducting amplifiers integrated into quantum processors, blending RF design with cryogenic experimentation.

The engineer will work across circuit design, simulations, fabrication and testing, driving evidence-based improvements and reusable tooling. A PhD or equivalent experience is expected for advanced research contributions.

Qualifications

• Strong RF and microwave circuit design experience.
• Experience with superconducting amplifier technologies.
• Proficient in circuit and electromagnetic simulations.
• Experience with fabrication, packaging and integration constraints.
• Strong Python skills for automation and data analysis.
• Experience in a research or engineering environment.
• Hands-on RF/microwave instrumentation experience.
• Ability to deliver complex projects independently.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• PhD or equivalent research experience in related field.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and optimise superconducting amplifier circuits and microwave environments.
• Develop devices, evaluate gain, bandwidth, noise, saturation and stability.
• Design RF/microwave networks for impedance matching and signal routing.
• Plan device layouts with fabrication and packaging teams to optimise manufacturability.
• Perform room-temperature and cryogenic measurements to validate simulations.
• Develop Python-based simulation, automation, and measurement tools.
• Lead investigations and share findings across teams.
• Collaborate across readout, experimental, software, fabrication and packaging.
• Document results and contribute to specialist knowledge.

Skills

RF design

Microwave engineering

Superconducting amplifiers

Circuit simulation

Python programming

Experimentation

Cryogenic testing

Data analysis

Technical communication

Independent project delivery

Education

PhD in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Quantum Engineering

Job description

Quantum Engineer – Superconducting Amplifiers & RF Design

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

As a Quantum Engineer specialising in Superconducting Amplifiers & RF Design, you'll develop the technologies that enable high-performance readout of OQC's quantum processors. Combining RF and microwave engineering with advanced simulation, device design and experimental characterisation, you'll turn complex technical challenges into reliable hardware solutions that help push our quantum computing capabilities forward.

The Role

Joining our Device Scaling team, you'll take ownership of developing, modelling and optimising superconducting amplifier technologies and their integration into OQC's quantum processor readout systems.

This is a hands‑on technical role where you'll work across the full development lifecycle, from circuit simulation and microwave design through to device fabrication, cryogenic testing and performance optimisation. You'll have the autonomy to investigate complex challenges, make evidence-based engineering decisions and develop reusable tools and methodologies that accelerate future development.

Working closely with specialists across readout, experimental engineering, software, fabrication and packaging, you'll help translate innovative amplifier concepts into practical, high-performance technologies.

What You'll Be Working On

• Design, simulate and optimise superconducting amplifier circuits and microwave environments, using electromagnetic and circuit modelling to improve performance.


• Develop and characterise amplifier devices, investigating gain, bandwidth, noise, saturation and stability to identify and overcome performance limitations.


• Design RF and microwave networks for impedance matching, coupling, filtering, pumping and signal routing, translating technical requirements into practical hardware solutions.


• Develop physical device layouts and collaborate with fabrication and packaging teams to optimise manufacturability, integration and device performance.


• Plan and conduct room‑temperature and cryogenic measurements, validating simulations, investigating discrepancies and driving evidence-based design improvements.


• Build and improve Python‑based simulation, automation, optimisation and measurement tools, creating reusable capabilities that strengthen engineering workflows.


• Own technical investigations and development work packages, collaborating across teams to integrate amplifier technologies into quantum processor readout systems, document findings and share specialist expertise.

What We're Looking For

• Strong practical experience in RF and microwave circuit design, analysis and experimental characterisation.


• Experience working with superconducting amplifier technologies, superconducting circuits or closely related low‑noise microwave systems.


• Proven experience developing and interpreting circuit and electromagnetic simulations, including understanding modelling assumptions and limitations.


• Experience designing, developing or characterising electronic or microwave devices, with an understanding of fabrication, packaging and integration constraints.


• Strong scientific programming skills, preferably Python, for simulation, numerical optimisation, automation and experimental data analysis.


• Experience developing or improving scientific simulation, measurement or optimisation workflows within a research or engineering environment.


• Hands‑on experience using RF and microwave instrumentation to validate designs, investigate device performance and resolve technical challenges.


• Knowledge of microwave networks, impedance matching and device layout for fabrication.


• A track record of independently delivering complex technical projects or work packages, using sound engineering judgement and evidence-based problem‑solving.


• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across specialist technical disciplines, document findings and share knowledge.


• A PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Quantum Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research and development experience demonstrating the required technical expertise.

The 'Nice‑to-Haves'

• Experience designing or characterising Josephson parametric amplifiers, travelling‑wave parametric amplifiers or other superconducting nonlinear devices.


• Knowledge of nonlinear circuit modelling, parametric mixing or amplifier stability analysis.


• Experience developing microwave filters, broadband impedance‑matching networks or related RF technologies.


• Experience working with cryogenic microwave measurement systems or superconducting quantum computing hardware.


• Experience integrating amplifier technologies into superconducting qubit readout systems.


• Experience developing shared scientific software, automated measurement systems or reusable analysis frameworks.


• Experience mentoring colleagues, providing specialist technical guidance or contributing to technical reviews.

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/