Lead Optics Engineer - 937 in Broomfield, Colorado at Quantinuum

We are seeking a Lead Optics Engineer in our Broomfield, CO location to join our engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and validation of optical subassemblies used in Quantinuum's quantum computers. You will also be responsible for research and development, new product introduction, prototype builds, optical characterization, system integration, documentation development, and production readiness activities. You will mentor and guide junior engineers, setting priorities and ensuring that optical systems meet technical specifications, performance requirements, quality standards, and long-term operational reliability. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in optical system design and integration, laser characterization, optical metrology, precision alignment, opto-mechanical assembly, and engineering problem solving.

All applicants for placement in safety-sensitive positions will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

• Lead a team of optical engineers supporting the development of commercial and research subsystems for quantum computing.
• Gather project requirements, turn them into action plans, and ensure the team completes tasks on time, with proper prioritization.
• Mentor team members on technical and scientific topics.
• Provide technical expertise for laser and optical projects with the goal of maximizing performance, scalability, and robustness.
• Support prototype development, sustaining engineering activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Integrate complex, high precision optical sub-assemblies into higher level systems and maintain them.
• Develop, execute, and document optical test plans, characterization procedures, engineering work instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain detailed engineering documentation, test reports, design records, and engineering change documentation in accordance with production standards.
• Collaborate with Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering teams and Scientists to develop, validate, and transition new optical technologies into production.
• Travel up to 25%
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum 10+ years’ experience (advanced degree inclusive) using and maintaining optical, opto-mechanical and/or laser systems.
• Due to Contractual requirements, must be a U.S. Person defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or green card holder, or worker granted asylum or refugee status.
• Due to national security requirements imposed by the U.S. Government, candidates for this position must not be a People's Republic of China national or Russian national unless the candidate is also a U.S. citizen.

• Ph.D. or Masters in Optics, Physics, Applied Physics, or related field preferred.
• Experience leading a team of engineers to complete well-defined projects as well as broader research initiatives.
• Hands-on experience designing, integrating, aligning, characterizing, and testing optical and laser systems in laboratory or manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of optical and electrical laboratory equipment, including lasers, fiber optic components, acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators, precision optical instrumentation, spectrum analyzers, phase noise analyzers, frequency counters, and related test equipment.
• Proven ability to mentor, develop, and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.
• Broad understanding of optical principles and practices and intimate knowledge and experience applying this knowledge to projects.
• Experience characterizing, stabilizing, and servicing diode, fiber, and/or Ti:Sapphire lasers.
• Experience with Zemax and/or Solidworks/CAD for designing optical and optomechanical systems.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams and technicians to support research and development, prototype builds, manufacturing readiness, sustaining engineering, root cause investigations, design verification, and continuous process improvements.
• Experience with data analysis (taking, plotting, analyzing, fitting and interpreting relevant data from optical testing experiments).
• Experience creating and maintaining engineering documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), test plans, engineering change documentation, configuration management records, and working from engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembly documentation.

Compensation & Benefits

Incentive Eligible – Range posted is inclusive of bonus target

The pay range for this role is $164,000 - $205,000 annually. Actual compensation within this range may vary based on the candidate's skills, educational background, professional experience, and unique qualifications for the role.

Quantinuum is the world leader in quantum computing. The company’s quantum systems deliver the highest performance across all industry benchmarks. Quantinuum’s over 650 employees, including 400+ scientists and engineers, across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, are driving the quantum computing revolution.

By uniting best-in-class software with high-fidelity hardware, our integrated full-stack approach is accelerating the path to practical quantum computing and scaling its impact across multiple industries.

By joining Quantinuum, you’ll be at the forefront of this transformative revolution, shaping the future of quantum computing, pushing the limits of technology, and making the impossible possible.

A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work

Flexible work schedule

Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit

Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time

Paid parental leave

Employee discounts

Quantinuum is an equal opportunity employer. You will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status. Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, there is no application deadline for this position.