Photonics Technical Lead

ABOUT US

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world’s most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics 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. Our mission is to commercialise atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude improvements in performance and computing applications. 

LOCATION   

Infleqtion has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. This is a full-time position mainly in our Kidlington, Oxford office with the occasional requirement to be in the National Quantum Computing Centre, Harwell. Work from home permitted up to 2 days per week based on business needs and manager approval.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Photonics Technical Lead (PTL) plays a strategic role in shaping and advancing Infleqtion's integrated photonics capabilities, working closely with global technical and business leaders to transition innovative technologies into products and customer solutions. 

As the UK technical lead and primary point of contact for integrated photonics, this role is responsible for developing and executing the photonics roadmap across a portfolio of projects spanning photonic integrated circuits (PICs), laser systems, and integrated photonic subsystems for quantum technologies. The role will collaborate extensively with multidisciplinary teams across Infleqtion's UK, US, and Australian operations to align technology development with company strategy, product roadmaps, and customer needs. 

Primary responsibilities include overseeing technical project execution, leading photonics research and development activities, managing technical personnel, developing external partnerships, and identifying opportunities to transition photonics technologies into commercial products. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership skills to help establish and grow Infleqtion's global photonics capabilities. 

Project and Technical Leadership 

• Lead the UK integrated photonics capability and act as the primary technical point of contact for photonics activities.  

• Oversee the technical performance of a portfolio of photonics projects, ensuring alignment with business, product, and customer objectives.  

• Develop and maintain technical roadmaps for PICs, laser systems, and integrated photonic subsystems.  

• Collaborate with Quantum Systems teams to identify and develop integrated photonics opportunities.  

• Set technical objectives, assess feasibility, manage technical risks, and support project delivery.  

• Present technical updates, milestone reviews, design reviews, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.  

• Identify technologies suitable for product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property protection.  

Integrated Photonics Development 

• Lead the design, simulation, layout, fabrication, testing, and packaging of silicon photonics PICs.  

• Design and develop photonic components including lasers, modulators, passive devices, and integrated subsystems.  

• Work with foundry partners, III-V gain chip suppliers, and packaging companies to develop and integrate photonic devices.  

• Lead laboratory testing and characterisation of PIC-based devices, including automated test methods.  

• Characterise lasers and modulated laser systems, including DC measurements, frequency noise, relative intensity noise, and high-speed waveform analysis.  

• Evaluate micro-combs and PIC-based approaches for miniature frequency combs and atom-addressing applications.  

Team, Stakeholder, and Partner Engagement 

• Build, lead, and mentor technical contributors within the photonics team.  

• Assign responsibilities and guide project-level technical contributors toward successful outcomes.  

• Work closely with global technical teams across the UK, US, and Australia.  

• Act as a technical interface with partners, suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and collaborators.  

• Support proposal development, statements of work, technical planning, and externally funded programme activities.  

• Promote strong HSE practices and safe working culture in laboratory environments.  

What You Will Bring to the Team 

Technical Knowledge 

• PhD in Photonics, Optoelectronics, or a related discipline.  

• Deep expertise in integrated photonics and PIC-based device development.  

• Advanced proficiency in photonics simulation techniques, including FDTD, EME, FEM, BPM, or similar methods.  

• Hands-on experience with commercial photonics design, simulation, and layout tools such as Lumerical, Synopsys, or similar.  

• Strong understanding of silicon photonics design, layout, fabrication, packaging, and test workflows.  

• Experience with lasers, modulators, passive photonic devices, frequency combs, and high-speed optical measurement systems.  

• Ability to quickly understand complex technical concepts and communicate them clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.  

Experience 

• 5+ years’ experience post PhD developing PIC-based devices or integrated photonic systems in quantum, telecom, sensing, datacom, or related fields.  

• Experience leading technical projects, teams, or work packages in a multidisciplinary environment.  

• Experience working with foundries, packaging partners, component suppliers, or external collaborators.  

• Track record of developing complex technologies from concept through validation, prototype, or product transition.  

• Experience supporting proposals, externally funded projects, or customer-facing technical programmes.  

• Comfort working in a dynamic, collaborative, matrixed environment.  

 Desirable Skills and Knowledge 

• Experience with atomic physics applications.  

• Experience with heterogeneous integration of III-V and silicon photonic devices.  

• Knowledge of micro-combs, optical frequency combs, or laser frequency stabilisation.  

• Experience with automated photonics test systems and data analysis.  

• Familiarity with product development, commercialisation, and IP generation.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY  

Regardless of your interest in the quantum industry, you can take pride in the fact that Infleqtion is building an ecosystem of quantum technologies and commercial products, driving the industry towards the future. Studies reveal that while men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other groups tend to apply only when they meet all the criteria. If you believe you have the potential but don't meet every single point in our job advertisement, please don't hesitate to contact us! We would love to chat with you and see how you could bring great value to our team. Our goal is to find exceptional individuals who can enrich our team culture, actively contribute, and have a genuine passion for their work. Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin colour, 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. 

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

• Competitive salary  
• Incentive Stock Option Plan 
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution  
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Tax efficient technology schemes  
• BUPA Private Healthcare Insurance once probationary period is successfully completed 
• Unlimited PTO  subject to fair usage