Advanced Optical Engineer - 972

Quantinuum; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 132,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Flexible work arrangements

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Equity opportunities

Paid time off and holidays

Paid parental leave

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Quantinuum in Broomfield, CO seeks an Advanced Optical Engineer to lead metrology and alignment initiatives for metasurface and photonic subsystems in support of trapped-ion quantum computing platforms. You will design and optimize measurement methods, deliver high-precision optical delivery and characterization setups, and collaborate across physics, optics, and engineering teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on tooling, automation with Python, and producing rigorous documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree minimum.
• Master’s degree preferred in optics or instrumentation.
• Experience in optical testing and alignment of components and systems.
• Experience building and debugging free-space optical or photonic systems.
• Python for hardware control and data analysis is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead metrology system build and optimization for metasurface and photonic components.
• Create methods to deliver and measure light to trapped ions.
• Develop high-sensitivity measurement techniques for optical devices.
• Advance metrology systems to validate technologies and inform roadmaps.
• Provide deep technical expertise within an interdisciplinary team.
• Document procedures, results, and conclusions clearly.

Skills

Optical testing

Free-space optics

Photonic systems

Python for hardware control

Metrology systems

Optical modeling software

CAD software

Fiber fusion splicing

Opto-mechanical assembly

CCD/CMOS imaging

Education

Bachelor’s degree minimum

Master’s degree in optics/physics/instrumentation

Tools

Zemax

Code V

OnShape

SolidWorks

Optical spectrum analyzers

RF spectrum analyzers

Job description

We are seeking an Advanced Optical Engineer to support R&D in our Broomfield, CO Location.

Our team develops optics and integrated photonics technologies that enable scaling of our trapped-ion quantum computers from our current 98-qubit Helios system to our future Lumos system with hundreds of thousands of qubits. The data, designs, and expertise from our group inform our next-generation systems, from the overall architecture to the tiniest of details. We are looking for more engineers and scientists to join our cross-disciplinary team.

All applicants for placement in safety-sensitive positions will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the build and optimization of metrology systems to assemble, characterize, refine, validate, and improve metasurface, micro-optical, and integrated photonic components and systems
• Create new ways to create, deliver, and measure light to trapped ions
• Develop and use high-sensitivity measurement techniques and systems to evaluate the optical output of optical and photonic devices
• Drive the development and design of metrology systems that validate technologies, methods, alignment, and suppliers to inform roadmaps and production
• Contribute deep technical expertise within a team of optical engineers, physicists, and opto-mechanical engineers
• Document and communicate procedures, results, and conclusions to teammates, collaborators, and stakeholders

YOU MUST HAVE:

• Bachelor’s degree minimum
• Minimum 5 years’ experience (advanced degree inclusive) optical testing and alignment of components and systems
• Minimum 5 years’ experience (advanced degree inclusive) building, aligning, debugging, and troubleshooting free-space optical, micro-optical, and/or photonic systems
• Minimum 1 year experience (advanced degree inclusive) using python (or related programming language) to control hardware and for data acquisition & analysis
• Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person defined as, U.S. citizen permanent resident or green card holder, workers granted asylum or refugee status
• Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People’s Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

WE VALUE:

• Masters in optics, applied physics, or instrumentation
• Deep understanding of several areas of optics and photonics, and experience applying this knowledge to hands-on projects
• Experience in at least 7 of the following areas:
• coherent optics utilizing diffractive optics (DOEs) and/or metasurfaces
• polarizing optical components and photonics metrology
• lasers at several wavelengths from UV to IR
• optical modeling software such as Zemax, Code V, etc.
• basic use of CAD software such as OnShape, SolidWorks, etc.
• test & measurement equipment including optical spectrum analyzers, rf spectrum analyzers, frequency counters, etc.
• fiber fusion splicing
• precision opto-mechanical assembly
• CCD/CMOS cameras and image analysis
• fiber array alignment
• traceable optical validation setup
• Experience working in a laboratory, production, or cleanroom environment with cleanliness and ESD awareness
• Experience translating optical designs, specifications, and drawings into alignment and testing setups and verification
• Experience working on a team and collaborating across disciplines
• Deep curiosity and interest in learning new things

$132,000 - $165,000 a year

Compensation & Benefits:

The pay range for this role is $132,000 – $165,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate’s skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.

Quantinuum is a leading quantum computing company delivering a full stack platform designed to make quantum computing deployable in real-world environments. With active engagements spanning pharmaceuticals, material science, financial services, government, industrial sectors, and leading academic and research institutions worldwide, we are helping organizations unlock the transformative potential of quantum computing.

Our global team of more than 800 employees includes many of the world's leading scientists, engineers, and researchers, with more than 70% of our technology team holdingadvanced degrees at the Master's or PhD level. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Quantinuum operatesacross the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Singapore.

By joining Quantinuum, you’ll help shape the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible.

What’s in it for you?

We believe our people are our greatest strength and offer a comprehensive rewards package that supports your professional growth, well-being, and long-term success.

• Competitive compensation and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking technology
• Flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance
• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match and student loan repayment benefit
• Equity opportunities
• Generous paid time off, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually
• Paid parental leave
• Employee discount programs

Equal Opportunity Employer

Quantinuum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and provided equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, ancestry, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Know Your Rights:

Workplace discrimination is illegal. For more information about Quantinuum, please visit our website.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know use the Lets talk contact form.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, there is no application deadline for this position.

QUANTUM ROLE CONTEXT | Appended by Quantum.Jobs v2

Role context:

This role exists to design, build, and optimize specialized optical and photonic subsystems required for complex hardware execution. Positioned between theoretical quantum physicists, micro-fabrication specialists, and opto-mechanical engineers, the position serves as an engineering link in physical architecture development. By establishing precise metrology, optical delivery setups, and automated characterization frameworks, specialists in this domain ensure that light-matter interactions operate with the stability, precision, and accuracy necessary for scalable system integration and physical hardware testing.

Quantum ecosystem relevance:

Advanced optical engineering provides essential enabling infrastructure for trapped-ion and photonic quantum computing platforms. Quantum processors rely on precise manipulation, routing, and measurement of laser light to control qubit states and read out computational results. Engineers developing micro-optics, metasurfaces, and integrated photonics facilitate the physical scaling of these systems from small laboratory prototypes to larger processor architectures, directly supporting hardware stability, optical fidelity, and system miniaturization.

Capability signals:

• Extensive background in optical testing, free-space optics, micro-optics, and photonic systems integration
• Proficiency in developing automated metrology systems using Python for hardware control and data analysis
• Expertise in utilizing optical modeling software to simulate and optimize photonic component behavior
• Demonstrated experience in precision opto‑mechanical assembly and fiber optic array alignment techniques
• Ability to collaborate across cross-disciplinary teams involving physicists, opto‑mechanical engineers, and system architects