Neutral Atom Systems Architect

Nu Quantum; United States; Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Group DIS cover

Sabbatical after 4 years

Employee referral program

Private medical and dental cover

On-site gym membership

Cycle scheme

Office refreshments

28 days annual leave

Holiday purchase option

Job summary

Nu Quantum Ltd. in Cambridge, UK seeks a Neutral Atom Systems Architect to lead the specification and architecture of a Quantum Networking layer for Distributed Quantum Computing with Neutral Atoms.

You will collaborate with AMO theorists, networking, QEC, and systems engineers to define interfaces and performance targets for scalable QC systems. There are opportunities to represent Nu Quantum at scientific conferences and industry events, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive research culture

Qualifications

• PhD preferred in Physics with applications to neutral-atom quantum computing.
• Deep technical expertise in neutral-atom quantum computing and QPU design.
• Experience with high-fidelity neutral-atom qubit gates and error mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Own the definition and maintenance of the Network System Architecture for Neutral Atoms.
• Define system specifications for engineering teams and ensure alignment with product goals.
• Provide technical leadership for hardware concepts, targets and decisions.
• Model remote entanglement generation and networking protocols with AMO theorists.
• Collaborate with QEC team to specify distributed fault-tolerant architectures.
• Align with product management and engineering to convey clear operations.
• Evaluate competing networking approaches to inform roadmaps.
• Identify critical skill gaps to scale the engineering team.
• Coordinate project scoping, resources, and tooling with PMO/Finance.

Skills

Quantum computing

Neutral-atom systems

QPU control

Networking protocols

Technical leadership

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD preferred in Physics

Tools

QuTiP

Mathematica

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Neutral Atom Systems Architect at Nu Quantum, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (remote). A mid-level full time position in the Systems team, listed under hardware engineering.

The Role

Nu Quantum is seeking a highly skilled Neutral Atom Systems Architect to lead on the specification and architecture of a Quantum Networking layer that supports Distributed Quantum Computing with Neutral Atoms.

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative environment. Working closely with our AMO theorists, networking team, QEC researchers and Systems engineers, to define how Nu Quantum's hardware interfaces with Neutral atom QPUs, from modelling high-fidelity networking protocols through to hardware-performance targets that will enable fault-tolerant distributed quantum computing. The role will involve collaborating with peers across the organisation and coordinating with external partners, helping shape the path towards large-scale QC Systems.

Furthermore, there will be opportunities for you to represent the company at scientific conferences and industry events.

Benefits

Why work with us? At Nu Quantum, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people of all identities, orientations, backgrounds, and experiences are empowered. We value diverse perspectives as a source of creativity and innovation and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented and marginalised communities. Joining Nu Quantum means joining a team where you can grow professionally and be part of an inspiring mission to shape the future of technology.

Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Specs: Own the definition, decomposition, and maintenance of the Network System Architecture and all System/Subsystem Specifications (QPI, QNU, Cavity Systems, etc.) for Neutral Atoms. You define what the system must do to create a clean, well-documented specification for the engineering team.
• Own the technical vision for neutral-atom hardware architecture, and the company’s go-to expert for qubit control, optical systems, gate optimisation and overall system performance.
• Provide technical leadership building on your technical expertise to assist with system architecture, hardware design concepts, hardware specification targets, technical decision-making and project scoping.
• Working with AMO theorists to model high-fidelity remote entanglement generation and networking protocols under realistic experimental constraints.
• Collaborating with the Quantum Error Correction team to define architectural requirements for distributed fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with the Product Management team to ensure specifications meet commercial product definitions, and with the Engineering team to convey clear concepts of operation for the Networking Hardware.
• Act as the technical partner for Product Managers, evaluating competing quantum networking approaches, providing system-level analysis to inform product strategy and technology roadmaps.
• Align with Heads of Departments and Group Leads to help them identify critical skill gaps to scale our world-class engineering team.
• Meeting with the Project Management Office and Finance teams to coordinate initial project scoping, resource allocation and tooling.
• Embodying our company values, championing scientific integrity and fostering a collaborative working environment.

Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification (PhD preferred) in Physics, with applications to neutral-atom quantum computing.
• Deep technical expertise in neutral-atom quantum computing, incl. design and operation of neutral-atom quantum processing units.
• Strong understanding of laser physics, optical engineering and experimental techniques required for neutral-atom systems, including optical trapping, beam delivery and laser stabilisation.
• Expertise in high-fidelity neutral-atom qubit gates, including Rydberg-mediated entangling gates, error mechanisms and performance optimisation.
• Strong understanding of quantum control, calibration and system-level optimisation across hardware and software interfaces.
• Experience modelling open quantum systems using tools such as QuTiP, Mathematica, MATLAB, Python or equivalent.
• Experience leading technical projects and taking responsibility for technical delivery, architectural decisions and budget planning (for example as a Technical Lead in industry, Group Leader in academia, or equivalent).
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Strong data management skills and experience working within multidisciplinary teams.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of photonic interfaces between neutral atoms and quantum networks.
• Understanding of distributed quantum computing architectures and quantum networking protocols.
• Knowledge of Quantum Error Correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures.
• Industry experience.

Benefits

• Flexible working options
• Group DIS cover (4 x salary)
• 1 month paid Sabbatical after 4 years of service
• Generous Employee Referral Scheme
• Private Medical and Dental Cover (With Vitality and Bupa)
• On-site gym membership
• Cycle scheme
• Refreshments, including fruit and beverages, are available in the office.
• 28 days annual leave, including a 3-day company shutdown period + UK Public Holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 days holiday per year