Join IonQ as a Senior Optics Technician to build and commission optics and laser assemblies for quantum systems in Oxford.
Posted by employer 2 weeks ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Build and commission optical and laser assemblies
- Support system maintenance and upgrades
- Handle high precision and delicate components
- Follow mechanical and electrical drawings
- Maintain a safe laboratory and workshop environment
Must have
- Practical laboratory experience with lasers and optics
- Experience with precision assembly and free space optical alignment
- Comfortable taking responsibility for tasks with minimal supervision
Nice to have
- Experience assembling and testing scientific instrumentation
- Electronic subsystem assembly and fault finding
- Class 4 laser safety training
- Relevant optics or engineering qualifications
Practical constraints
- Five days on site each week
Not disclosed in this posting: compensation, years of experience, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Senior Optics Technician at IonQ is responsible for building and commissioning optical and laser assemblies for quantum systems, collaborating closely with engineers and scientists on system maintenance and upgrades. This role requires expertise in precision optical assembly, free space alignment, and fiber coupling, along with practical laboratory experience with lasers and optics. Ideal candidates will have a background in assembling scientific instrumentation and be comfortable working independently with minimal supervision. The position is situated within a team focused on advancing quantum computing technology.
Joblaze insights
- Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze October 3, 2026. Last confirmed on IonQ's careers page October 3, 2026.
- This exact title is also open at 1 other location at IonQ: Oxford, England, United Kingdom.
- quantum computing appears in 1.6% of 124 comparable senior other roles in United Kingdom; Optics appears in 0.8% of 124 comparable senior other roles in United Kingdom.
Quick facts
- Is the Senior Optics Technician role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Where is the role based?
- IonQ is hiring for this position in Oxford, United Kingdom.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Lasers, Optics, quantum computing.
- What seniority level is this role?
- IonQ targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Senior Optics Technician role at IonQ.
From the original posting
About IonQ:
Location: Oxford, UK
Job ID: 2082
The Role:
We are looking for a Senior Optics Technician to join the Optical Manufacturing team at Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ. You will build and commission the optics and laser assemblies used in our quantum systems, supporting system builds, maintenance and upgrades alongside technicians, engineers and scientists.
Responsibilities:
You will work on precision optical assembly, free space alignment and fibre coupling, helping the team build and test quantum computing hardware. The work includes technical documentation and the practical care needed to maintain a safe, tidy laboratory and workshop.
Key responsibilities include:
- Build and commission optical and laser assemblies.
- Support system maintenance and upgrades with engineers and scientists.
- Handle high precision and delicate components, using microscopes where required.
- Follow mechanical and electrical drawings and work instructions, document the work and test equipment before shipment.
- Maintain a safe laboratory and workshop environment when working with lasers and optics.
Requirements:
You will need practical laboratory experience with lasers and optics, precision assembly, free space optical alignment and fibre coupling. You should be comfortable taking responsibility for tasks with minimal supervision and have some experience testing high technology equipment before shipment.
You'd be a great fit if you have:
- Experience assembling and testing scientific instrumentation or working in industrial operations.
- Electronic subsystem assembly and fault finding, including continuity testing.
- Class 4 laser safety training and familiarity with appropriate PPE.
- Relevant optics or engineering qualifications, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
- Experience in scientific support or commercial research, with confident IT use.
This role is based in Oxford and requires five days on site each week.
Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.
Standard company text repeated across IonQ's postings is omitted here.