Head of Control Systems

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Cambridge, UK

Closing date for applications: Monday 20th October 2025 at 5pm

Visa Sponsorship available

Join Nu Quantum - Shaping the Future of Technology

Nu Quantum is creating the Entanglement Fabric for quantum computing scale-out. Quantum computing can solve some of the world’s biggest problems, but these applications require systems that are thousands of times more powerful than those available today.

Our networking architecture will unlock data centre-scale quantum computing by weaving together quantum processors to accelerate the path to fault-tolerance and transformational utility. Founded in 2018, Nu Quantum is a spin-out of the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory.

As Head of Control Systems, your role will be pivotal in driving forward our breakthrough innovations and helping to redefine the future of quantum computing.

About the Role

Nu Quantum is seeking an experienced Head of Control Systems to join our diverse team, driving the development of innovative and scalable quantum networking hardware. 

In this role, you will lead and support an engineering group, composed of Control, Software and Electronics Engineers (currently circa 10 people but with high likelihood of growth). You will also serve as a key technical authority for control systems developed by Nu Quantum, contributing directly to our technical strategy and roadmap. 

A significant aspect of this role is team leadership and support, ensuring the success and growth of the engineering teams both technically and holistically. You will play an important role in shaping and fostering our company culture, embodying and promoting our core values.

The Head of Control Systems will play a key role across all phases of our technical development, from early-stage research and prototyping through to system design, integration, testing, and deployment. They will ensure that control solutions are developed in parallel with advances in quantum hardware, bridging the gap between scientific concepts and engineered products. This role will have significant architectural impact on the systems and products that make up Nu Quantum’s technical and commercial roadmap.

What you'll be doing

• Lead, coordinate, and inspire the technical activities of the Control, Software, and Electronics teams.
• Close collaboration with the other Department Heads, Architects, Product and Technical Executive leadership to create and deliver technical roadmap
• Take responsibility for planning, budgeting, and resource allocation (including hiring) across all stages of project delivery and the product development process.
• Collaborate closely with the PMO team, acting as the technical authority for control systems deliverables in Nu Quantum’s technology development programmes.
• Own and continuously improve engineering development processes and tools as Nu Quantum grows.
• Responsible for championing high-quality technical documentation.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and professional development to Engineers at every level.
• Collaborate with the senior management team to ensure alignment in culture, roadmap, and technical goals across the Engineering and Research teams.

What we're looking for

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Proven track record of leading technical teams in hardware development, control systems, embedded systems, or related fields.
• Strong expertise in electronic hardware design, embedded software, and real-time control systems.
• Knowledge of FPGA development, high-speed data acquisition, and real-time control systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams (hardware, software, electronics).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong project management skills, with experience delivering complex technical systems on time and to specification.
• Experience with version control, structured testing, and quality assurance processes.
• Excellent team player and natural problem solver with a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset, with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organisation (from associate-level employees to C-Suite).

Desirable Skills and Experience (not required, but beneficial):

• Experience in quantum technologies, advanced instrumentation, or other deep-tech research hardware environments.
• Familiarity with high-reliability engineering in laboratory or industrial environments.
• Experience scaling teams and building high-performance engineering groups in a startup or R&D environment.

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.

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
• Enhanced paid family leave policies 
• Access to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens