Senior Optics Technician

Oxford Ionics; Oxford; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Annual bonus

Medical/dental insurance

Generous leave

Hybrid work

Job summary

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering next‑gen quantum computing with world‑leading trapped‑ion technology. We seek a Senior Optics Technician to build and test optics and laser assemblies for our quantum systems, working on site in Oxford with a hands‑on laboratory team.

You will document builds, ensure safe lab practices for Class 4 lasers, and collaborate with engineers and scientists on system maintenance and upgrades.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in optics related discipline.
• Advanced or Modern Apprenticeship Level 3 in Engineering.
• HNC Level 4 in Engineering or equivalent combination of education and practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Build and commission optical and laser assemblies.
• Support system maintenance and upgrades with engineers and scientists.
• Handle high precision and delicate components, using microscopes where required.
• Follow mechanical and electrical drawings and work instructions; document work and test equipment before shipment.
• Maintain a safe laboratory and workshop environment when working with lasers and optics.

Skills

Precision optics

Free-space alignment

Fiber coupling

Class 4 laser safety

High-precision assembly

Equipment testing

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in optics related discipline

Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship Level 3 in Engineering

HNC Level 4 in Engineering

Equivalent education + experience

Tools

Microscopes

Test equipment

Optical benches

Job description

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we’re building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve. Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

What to expect:

We are looking for a Senior Optics Technician to join the Optical Manufacturing team at Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ. You will build and commission the optics and laser assemblies used in our quantum systems, supporting system builds, maintenance and upgrades alongside technicians, engineers and scientists.

This is a senior position in an experienced department that is growing to support the company’s expansion plans. You will work alongside technicians, engineers and scientists on system builds, maintenance and upgrades, and the quality of the assembly work is what the rest of the machine depends on. The role is based in Oxford and is five days a week on site, because the work is hands on in the laboratory and the workshop.

What you'll be responsible for:

You will work on precision optical assembly, free space alignment and fibre coupling, helping the team build and test quantum computing hardware. The work includes technical documentation and the practical care needed to maintain a safe, tidy laboratory and workshop.

Alongside the build work you will produce the technical documentation that records what was built and how, and you will help keep the laboratory and workshop safe and tidy, including the safe use of Class 4 lasers and the correct personal protective equipment. You will be trusted to take tasks through to completion with minimal supervision.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build and commission optical and laser assemblies.
• Support system maintenance and upgrades with engineers and scientists.
• Handle high precision and delicate components, using microscopes where required.
• Follow mechanical and electrical drawings and work instructions, document the work and test equipment before shipment.
• Maintain a safe laboratory and workshop environment when working with lasers and optics.

What you'll need:

You will need practical laboratory experience with lasers and optics, precision assembly, free space optical alignment and fibre coupling. You should be comfortable taking responsibility for tasks with minimal supervision and have some experience testing high technology equipment before shipment.

We are more interested in what you have built than in how you were trained. A Bachelors or Masters in an optics related discipline, an Advanced or Modern Apprenticeship at Level 3 in Engineering, and an HNC at Level 4 in Engineering are all useful routes in, and an equivalent combination of education and practical experience is just as welcome.

You’d be a great fit with:

• Experience assembling and testing scientific instrumentation or working in industrial operations.
• Electronic subsystem assembly and fault finding, including continuity testing.
• Class 4 laser safety training and familiarity with appropriate PPE.
• Relevant optics or engineering qualifications, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Experience in scientific support or commercial research, with confident IT use.

So why us?

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

• opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders
• a competitive salary with IonQ stock options
• an annual performance bonus
• generous annual leave
• flexible hybrid working
• private medical and dental insurance for you and your family
• and much more

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.