Systems Integration & Commissioning Engineer

Oxford Ionics; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IonQ stock options

Annual performance bonus

Generous annual leave

Flexible hybrid working

Private medical and dental insurance

Job summary

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is advancing quantum computing with AMO/laser-heavy systems at our Oxford headquarters. We seek a Systems Integration & Commissioning Engineer to own hands-on build, integration, and repeatable commissioning of lab subsystems.

You will work on assembling and debugging AMO/laser systems, defining build standards, and creating robust integration flows across teams and suppliers to drive reliable lab hardware builds.

Qualifications

• Strong foundations in experimental AMO physics with hands-on lab build experience, especially with laser optics.
• Ability to define build/integration flows, troubleshoot independently, and apply clear technical thinking in a hands-on environment.
• Experience working across teams and suppliers to drive complex builds to commissioning and repeatability.
• Master’s + 3+ years hands-on experience, or PhD, or Adjacent PhD + ~1 year relevant training in industry/lab.
• Comfortable coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to keep builds moving.

Responsibilities

• Build and integrate AMO/laser-optics-heavy systems, ensuring they can be assembled, debugged, commissioned, and improved repeatedly.
• Define what “good” looks like for a build and create repeatable integration flows.
• Perform practical troubleshooting with minimal supervision and report progress.
• Reduce build pain, accelerate commissioning, improve reliability, and establish repeatable processes for lab systems.
• Collaborate with system scientists, engineers, and technicians to translate design intent into robust implementation.

Skills

AMO physics

Optics/laser

Build/integration flows

Troubleshooting

Stakeholder management

Education

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

Electronics instrumentation

Job description

Quantum is now, and it's built here.

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.

What to expect

Core to our mission is scaling quantum compute devices and systems in a technologically realistic and cost-effective way. We are looking for a Systems Integration & Commissioning Engineer to work at our Oxford headquarters as part of the team responsible for the hands-on implementation, integration, and repeatable build of our lab-based AMO subsystems.

This role is explicitly focused on execution and reliability: joining an existing project, owning the implementation, solving tricky build issues, and improving the process each time we build. (This is distinct from design-heavy R&D roles.)

What you’ll be responsible for

In this position, you will work on building and integrating AMO / laser-optics-heavy systems, ensuring they can be assembled, debugged, commissioned, and improved repeatedly. You will help define what “good” looks like for a build, create repeatable integration flows, and perform practical troubleshooting with minimal supervision.

You’ll have the opportunity to reduce build pain, accelerate commissioning, improve reliability, and establish the processes/trackers that make complex lab systems repeatable.

Key responsibilities include

• Inspection and verification of subsystems/components at various stages of build using appropriate tools and measurements (e.g., optical inspection/metrology, performance checks, diagnostic measurements).
• Preparation of parts and assemblies before and after integration, including careful cleaning/handling processes in a lab environment (where relevant).
• Organisation of packaging/integration activities with 3rd party suppliers, working closely with internal owners (e.g., optics, packaging, electronics) for new development and build turnarounds.
• Clear reporting of build metrics such as build status, commissioning progress, repeat issues, and reliability trends.
• Preparation of test assemblies and samples, including small-scale mounting, cabling, fibre handling/alignment where applicable, and support of in-house build-enablement steps.
• Organisation of the BOM required to complete builds (e.g., optics parts, mounts/hardware, cables, PCBs/substrates as needed, fibres and related components), ensuring builds are not blocked by missing items.
• Pre-deployment testing / commissioning and failure analysis: set up repeatable checks, diagnose faults, drive issues to resolution, and capture learnings so the next build is easier.
• Work cross-functionally with system scientists, engineers, and technicians to translate design intent into robust implementation, procedures, and repeatable integration flows.

To be successful, you will need strong foundations in experimental AMO physics and hands-on lab build experience; particularly with laser optics. We’re looking for someone who can solve practical problems, work across teams and suppliers, and take a system from “in-progress build” to “commissioned and repeatable”.

You’d be a great fit with

• AMO / experimental physics background, with strong optics/laser experience.
• Evidence you can define build/integration flows, troubleshoot independently, and apply clear technical thinking in a hands-on environment.
• Comfort working with both internal and external stakeholders / suppliers, keeping complex builds moving.
• One of the following experience profiles:
  • Master’s + 3+ years highly relevant hands-on experience, or
  • Relevant PhD, or
  • Adjacent PhD + ~1 year relevant industry/lab training.

Useful extras (strong plus)

• commissioning experience, electronics/instrumentation, programming/scripting.

Desirable skills (nice to have)

• Exposure to cryo-adjacent hardware integration or working around cryogenic constraints.
• Experience with precision assembly techniques and careful lab build practices.
• Familiarity with PCB technologies / supply chain and practical build logistics.

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

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