Team Lead, USHQ Lab Operations

Job Description

Job Title: Team Lead, USHQ Lab Operations [580]. Location: Boca Raton, FL, USA

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Florida Lab Operations team by coordinating daily priorities, workloads, assignments, and operational coverage.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technical guidance, troubleshooting, and procedural questions.
• Help launch the Florida laboratory by establishing procedures, training programs, documentation, readiness checks, and escalation practices.
• Plan and oversee cryostat cooldowns, warmups, and payload operations.
• Monitor system readiness, maintenance status, instrumentation, and operational scheduling;
• Enforce approved safety procedures, checklists, and operational standards.
• Coordinate priorities and dependencies with engineering, packaging, infrastructure, controls, and other partner teams.
• Maintain accurate configuration, testing-cycle, and operational records.
• Track operational performance and drive improvements in reliability, schedule adherence, and throughput.
• Build and stabilize laboratory operations as the new Florida facility becomes increasingly self-sufficient.
• Balance hands-on technical work with team leadership and operational responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied sciences, physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 6 years of experience in laboratory operations, cryogenic systems, or another complex technical environment.
• Experience leading or coordinating a technical team;
• Hands-on familiarity with cryogenic systems, experimental hardware, instrumentation, or laboratory infrastructure.
• Strong planning, prioritization, troubleshooting, and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Ability to combine hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities;
• Strong safety awareness and attention to documentation and detail.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a new and developing operation.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary range: $150,000 to $206,000 USD per year.
• Compensation may include base pay, equity, bonus, benefits, perks, and other total-rewards offerings.
• D-Wave will cover eligible costs associated with the required short-term international assignment and training period.
• Additional compensation and benefits details will be reviewed during the interview process.

Assignment and Eligibility Requirements:

• The role begins with a required temporary assignment in Burnaby, British Columbia, for onsite training and knowledge transfer lasting up to 180 days.
• Must be willing and able to temporarily relocate to Canada for the assignment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain authorization to work in Canada during the temporary assignment.
• Must be able to obtain security clearance.
• The permanent work location after training is Boca Raton, Florida.

Work Environment:

• Initial onsite work in Burnaby, British Columbia, followed by permanent onsite work in Boca Raton, Florida.
• Regular hands-on work with cryogenic systems and laboratory equipment.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift equipment, and occasionally work on ladders or platforms.
• Flexible or after-hours work may be required during critical operations.
• Participation in an on-call rotation may be required after completion of training.

Security and Export Control:

• The position requires the ability to pass a Tier 2 background investigation.
• An active U.S. government security clearance is required, or the ability to qualify for one.
• U.S. citizenship is required for the security-clearance requirement;
• The position may involve access to controlled information or technology subject to U.S. export control laws.
• Employment may require verification of U.S. Person status or D-Wave obtaining an applicable export license.
• Export licensing is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Other Information:

• No third-party candidates will be accepted.
• D-Wave is an equal opportunity employer.
• The role is part of D-Wave's Research and Development organization.
• The company emphasizes collaboration, accountability, leadership development, and diverse perspectives.