Lead Experimental Physicist (AMO)

Job Description

Job Title: Lead Experimental Physicist (AMO) - 902. Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Responsibilities:

• Build, operate, and maintain trapped-ion systems and supporting infrastructure using free-space optics and integrated photonics.
• Lead a team of scientists and engineers in designing, developing, validating, and deploying technologies for next-generation trapped-ion quantum computers.
• Conduct research on microfabricated, photonically integrated surface traps to support utility-scale quantum computing.
• Help establish and develop a new ion-trapping laboratory from the ground up.
• Mentor early-career scientists and engineers;
• Communicate research findings through technical documentation, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to advance trapped-ion quantum computing technologies.
• Perform simulation and modeling to support experiments and data analysis.
• Travel approximately 10% based on business needs.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Physics or a related field completed before the start date.
• Minimum 7 years of experience (including Ph.D.) in experimental atomic physics.
• Minimum 4 years of experience (including degree work) with trapped-ion systems;
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, green card holder, refugee, or asylee).
• Must satisfy U.S. Government national security requirements.

Preferred:

• Experience building and leading research projects.
• Strong publication record related to trapped-ion systems.
• Experience programming experimental control systems for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience with integrated photonic systems.
• Experience performing simulation and modeling for experimental design and data analysis.
• Experience with cryogenic systems and ultra-high vacuum systems.
• Strong technical leadership and mentoring abilities;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated history of significant technical achievements.
• Strong collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Annual salary: $164,000 to $205,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Performance bonus eligibility.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with student loan repayment matching benefit.
• Equity compensation opportunities.
• Twelve paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee discount programs.
• Opportunity to work on industry-leading quantum computing technologies alongside world-class scientists and engineers.

Other Information:

• Research focuses on developing utility-scale trapped-ion quantum computers using microfabricated and photonically integrated surface traps.
• Applicants for safety-sensitive positions must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis with no fixed application deadline;
• Quantinuum may use AI tools during portions of the recruitment process, but all hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.
• Quantinuum is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all qualified applicants.