Metasurface Optical Design Intern - 994

Quantinuum; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Flexible work schedule

Employee discounts

Job summary

Quantinuum invites an onsite Metasurface Optical Design Intern in Broomfield, CO. You will design, simulate, and optimize meta-optic devices as part of a larger optical system model, collaborating with photonics teams to deliver impactful metasurface solutions.

Applicants must be PhD students in Physics or Engineering, eligible to work in the U.S., and willing to return to their degree program after internship. Compensation ranges from $41–$55 per hour with housing stipend consideration.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a Physics or Engineering PhD program
• Must be a U.S. Person due to contractual requirements
• Must meet national security requirements as per U.S. Government rules

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and optimize meta-optic devices within integrated models of optical systems
• Collaborate with photonics teams to develop novel metasurface devices

Skills

Computational modeling

Inverse design

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD student in Physics/Engineering

Tools

COMSOL

Lumerical

tidy3D

RCWA

Job description

We are seeking an onsite Metasurface Optical Design Intern in our Broomfield, CO location.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, simulate, and optimize meta-optic devices as part of an integrated model of larger optical systems
• Collaborate with larger photonics and optics teams to develop novel and impactful photonic devices

YOU MUST HAVE:

• Currently enrolled in a Physics or Engineering PhD program intended on graduating on/after August 2027
• 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.
• 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

WE VALUE:

• 3+ years' experience (PhD inclusive) with computational modeling of photonic devices
• Preferred: experience with adjoint optimization and inverse design techniques
• Experience with metasurface modeling and design
• Experience with photonic modeling tools such as COMSOL (or other FEM), Lumerical, tidy3D (or other FDTD), RCWA (various)
• Experience with scientific coding tools (MATLAB, Python, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to communicate and collaborate with a larger team
• Interpersonal skills: cross-group and cross-culture collaboration
• Openness to learning new computational methods and software, and enthusiasm for problem solving
• Commitment to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op

$41 - $55 an hour

Compensation & Benefits:

The pay range for this role is $41 - $55 per hour. 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.

• For candidates located outside of this state, this role will include a housing stipend of $500 per check/bi-weekly
• A competitive market rate and innovative, game-changing work
• Flexible work schedule
• Employee discounts

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.

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

Role context:

This role exists to design and model flat sub-wavelength optical structures within advanced hardware research environments. Positioned between computational physics, device modeling, and optics development teams, the position translates optical performance goals into simulated metasurface architectures. By modeling light manipulation at nanoscale dimensions, individuals in this capacity assist hardware engineering groups in integrating miniaturized optical elements into broader optical system models, supporting overall photonic platform optimization and functional design validation.

Quantum ecosystem relevance:

The role supports the quantum ecosystem by aiding in the miniaturization and integration of optical control systems used in photonics-based quantum platforms. Compact meta-optic devices reduce physical system footprints, enabling more precise routing, conditioning, and delivery of light within hardware setups. By integrating metasurface simulations into larger system models, this work contributes to the foundational hardware infrastructure necessary for scalable, high-density quantum optical architectures and physical system integration.

Capability signals:

• Proficiency in numerical simulation tools for modeling complex electromagnetic and photonic behaviors
• Application of inverse design and computational optimization to specialized sub-wavelength optical components
• Technical foundation in wave optics, electromagnetism, and nanophotonic light-matter interaction principles
• Experience utilizing numerical programming tools to model physical phenomena and analyze simulation data
• Cross-functional collaboration with optical engineering teams to support broader system integration targets