Staff Quantum Sensor Physicist

Infleqtion; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 166,000 - 256,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan

Total Rewards program

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Infleqtion is seeking a Staff Quantum Sensor Physicist to translate customer needs into practical atom-based sensor architectures for deployable inertial and gravitational sensors. You will lead R&D projects, develop models, and collaborate across optical, mechanical, electrical, and software teams.

The role requires a PhD in atomic/optical physics, hands-on AMO hardware experience, and ability to travel up to 10%. Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in atomic/optical physics or related field.
• Experience with atom-based inertial/gravitational sensors or AMO hardware.
• Ability to balance physics performance with reliability, operability, and cost.
• Experience designing, building, integrating, testing, and debugging complex hardware/software systems.
• Experience developing models, simulations, and error budgets for instrument designs.
• Ability to collaborate with engineering teams across multiple disciplines.
• Strong communication skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically (and internationally).
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in R&D projects on atom interferometry and quantum sensing systems.
• Translate customer needs into practical sensor architectures, requirements and plans.
• Guide concept through test, operation, and deployment phases.
• Develop physics models and error budgets to inform design decisions.
• Assess sensor concepts against real-world constraints and risks.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to convert physics into buildable designs.
• Contribute to proposal development and customer technical discussions.
• Present project findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Atom interferometry

Precision measurement

Quantum sensing

Hardware design

Experimental physics

Systems integration

Technical communication

Domestic travel

Education

PhD in atomic physics

Tools

Laser systems

Vacuum systems

Control systems

Diagnostic hardware

Job description

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world's most challenging problems. The company harnesses neutral atom quantum technology to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables "quantum everywhere" through our ecosystem of devices and platforms. We are recruiting for a Staff Quantum Sensor Physicist to help translate customer needs into practical architectures and devices for deployable atom-based inertial and gravitational sensors.

Job Responsibilities

• Participates in and/or leads research and development projects involving atom interferometry, atom-based inertial and gravitational sensing, cold-atom systems, laser systems, vacuum systems, controls, and quantum sensing systems
• Translates customer needs, use cases, and specifications into practical quantum sensor architectures, requirements, error budgets, trade studies, operating concepts, and development plans
• Leads or supports development from concept and architecture phases all the way through test, operation, and eventual deployment
• Develops and maintains physics models, simulations, calculations, and error budgets to guide architecture decisions, performance estimates, and identification of technical risks
• Evaluates sensor concepts against real-world and deployed-system constraints including sensitivity, bandwidth, dynamic range, SWaP-C, environmental robustness, manufacturability, reliability, cost, schedule, and technical risk
• Works with electrical, mechanical, software, firmware, vacuum, laser, and controls engineering teams to develop requirements, guide design trades, and convert physics concepts into buildable and operable instrument designs
• Participates in proposal development and customer technical discussions, including practical work scope, risks, system concepts, and deployment consideration.
• Communicates project findings and progress to both internal stakeholders and external customers

Requirements

• PhD in atomic physics, optical physics, quantum sensing, precision measurement, or related field
• Practical experience with atom-based inertial and/or gravitational sensors, atom interferometry, or closely related AMO or precision-measurement hardware
• Strong practical judgment in balancing physics performance against constraints such as reliability, operability, integration complexity, usability, cost, schedule, SWaP-C, environmental robustness, and technical risk
• Experience designing, building, integrating, testing, operating, and debugging complex hardware and software systems
• Experience developing models, simulations, calculations, and/or error budgets to inform instrument designs
• Ability to work effectively with engineering teams on optical, mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, vacuum, laser, controls, packaging, and instrument-operation challenges
• Professional-level communication skills, including the ability to share technical information clearly with technical and non-technical staff, leadership, and customers
• Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally up to 10%
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with atom interferometry, cold-atom gravimetry, gravity gradiometry, quantum inertial sensing, Bose Einstein condensates, or optical lattices
• Experience building, testing, operating, or deploying practical AMO/quantum systems, including fieldable sensors, transportable instruments, or robust laboratory prototypes
• Experience with cold or ultracold atoms, Bose-Einstein condensates, MOTs, optical lattices, or related technologies
• Demonstrated ability to translate customer needs or performance goals into implementable system architectures, requirements, engineering trades, and test approaches
• Experience writing proposals, leading technical work, serving as a Principal Investigator (PI) or technical lead, and/or working directly with customers
• 5+ years of post-PhD experience in a postdoctoral role, quantum-related industry, precision measurement, or related hardware development environment

NOTE

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations for quantum computing technology. Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

WORKING CONDITIONS And PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment and around technical equipment including computers and lasers. We ask that candidates be able to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers; able to effectively engage in communications (via phone, computer, or in-person). Any required Personal Protective Equipment will be provided and must be properly used in accordance with company requirements.

TRAVEL

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Benefits

The targeted salary range for this role is $166,000 to $256,000 on an annualized basis plus eligibility to participate in our annual incentive plan.

In addition to your base compensation, we offer a generous Total Rewards program which includes:

• 100% company paid Employee coverage for Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short/Long Term Disability insurance programs
• Employer funded Health Savings Account
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Matching Programs
• Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Healthcare Savings Account
• Paid FMLA Leave
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Employer Assistance Program
• Student Loan Repayment

Equal Opportunity

Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin color, age, appearance, disability, neurodiversity, DNA, military/veteran status, citizenship, and other factors that make up who you are. Your uniqueness is valued, welcomed, and appreciated here. We are dedicated to providing a positive workplace and base all employment decisions on your qualifications, performance, merits, as well as business needs. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability, please feel free to contact us at [e-mail].