Optical R&D Manager

Quantinuum; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employer subsidized health, dental, &

401(k) match

Equity

12 paid holidays and generous vacation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Quantinuum seeks an Optical R&D Manager in Broomfield, CO to lead a team of engineers and scientists in concept-to-production development of optical systems for quantum computers. You will shape photonic roadmaps, drive R&D programs, and mentor engineers across geographically distributed teams.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree, 8+ years of optical development experience, and 3+ years in people leadership, with U.S. citizenship or equivalent status and security considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 8+ years’ experience developing optical systems from concept to production.
• 3+ years’ experience managing technical teams.
• Experience with optical projects from concept to production.
• U.S. Person as defined by contract requirements.
• National security rules apply; citizens of certain countries may be restricted.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers and scientists to concept, design, build, and test optical systems for quantum computer platforms.
• Collaborate with staff to develop photonic roadmaps and advance R&D efforts.
• Guide optical R&D from concept to production release on multi-year programs.
• Mentor direct reports and foster career development through coaching and training.
• Identify technologies and resources to improve optical capabilities and meet business needs.
• Lead recruitment and retention of high‑performing technical staff.

Skills

People management

Mentoring

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree minimum

Ph.D. in Optics or related field

Master’s in Optics or related field

Tools

Zemax

Code V

LighTools

FRED

CAD software

Job description

We are seeking an Optical R&D Manager in our Broomfield, CO Location.

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

Key Responsibilities:

• Personnel Manager for a team of engineers and scientists whose charter is to conceptualize and execute optical system development, assembly tooling, and metasurface/diffractive fabrication for quantum computer systems
• Collaborate with technical staff on developing photonic roadmaps, technology development, and advanced R&D activities
• Guide and coordinate optical R&D efforts from concept to production release for multi-year projects
• Plan and nurture career development of direct-reporting engineers/scientists through mentoring, coaching, and training
• Implement best practices and behaviors in an R&D environment to ensure quality and requirements are met
• Identify key technologies, innovations, infrastructure, and resources needed to improve optical development capabilities to meet business needs
• Lead in recruiting and retaining high performing technical staff

YOU MUST HAVE:

• Bachelor’s Degree minimum
• Minimum 8 years’ of industry experience developing optical systems from concept to production
• Minimum 3 years’ experience managing technical teams
• Experience with optical projects from concept to production
• 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:

• Ph.D. or Masters in Optics, Applied Physics, or a related field
• 6+ years’ experience with optical alignment, assembly, and testing practices and tools
• 4+ years’ experience with optical alignment and testing of micro-optic and fiber optic systems
• Experience managing teams across geographic locations
• Experience with metasurface design and fabrication processes
• Experience implementing prototype optical tooling and processes and transitioning them into production ready solutions
• Experience executing engineering trade studies
• Experience working with wavelengths from UV to Infrared
• Experience with optical modeling software (Zemax, Code V, LighTools, FRED) a plus
• Experience with CAD software a plus

Incentive Eligible – Range posted is inclusive of bonus target

The pay range for this role is $180,000 – $225,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate’s

Quantinuum is the world leader in quantum computing. The company’s quantum systems deliver the highest performance across all industry benchmarks. Quantinuum’s over 650 employees, including 400+ scientists and engineers, across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, are driving the quantum computing revolution.

By uniting best-in-class software with high-fidelity hardware, our integrated full-stack approach is accelerating the path to practical quantum computing and scaling its impact across multiple industries.

By joining Quantinuum, you’ll be at the forefront of this transformative revolution, shaping the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible.

What’s in it for you?

• A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work
• Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit
• Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time
• Paid parental leave

Quantinuum is an equal opportunity employer. You will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status. Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal