Optics Group Lead

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location:Cambridge, UK

Visa Sponsorship available

Join Nu Quantum - Shaping the Future of Technology

Nu Quantum is at the forefront of quantum computing and advanced technology, driven by innovation, diversity, and a commitment to excellence. We’re creating an environment where brilliant minds from all backgrounds collaborate to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Founded to commercialise research generated over the last decade at the Cavendish Laboratory, Nu Quantum is on a mission to shape the future of quantum information systems.

We’re working on exciting technology that will improve the utility and accelerate the time-to-market of quantum computing systems. We integrate novel quantum photonic technology to form an efficient and scalable quantum networking infrastructure in partnership with world-leading companies and academic groups.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Optics Group Lead with a strong background in quantum optics and precision optical systems to lead the development of advanced optical systems for our qubit photon interfaces (QPI), and our quantum networking testbeds.

In this role, you will provide technical leadership for the testbed optics function, guiding the design, build, optimisation, automation, and characterisation of complex optical experiments and system platforms. You will work in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment alongside experts in nanofabrication, electronics, mechanical engineering, software, and AMO Physicists.

The role requires both strong hands-on experimental capability and the ability to lead, mentor, and coordinate an optics team. You will be responsible for setting technical direction, establishing best practice, improving experimental repeatability, and ensuring that optical systems are designed, built, and operated to a high standard.

Responsibilities - What You'll be doing

• Provide technical leadership for the Testbed Optics group, setting direction for the design, execution, and optimisation of advanced optical experiments and optical system builds across classical and quantum optics platforms.
• Take ownership of optical system architecture, including free-space optics, fibre optics, laser systems, interferometry, optical alignment, stability, noise reduction, and system-level performance optimisation.
• Lead technical decision-making within the optics function, ensuring that optical designs, experimental approaches, and system architectures are technically robust, reproducible, and suitable for long-term system development.
• Mentor, coach, and develop optics team members, providing technical guidance, reviewing experimental plans, supporting problem-solving, and helping engineers and researchers build deeper capability in quantum optics.
• Establish and maintain best practices for optical design, experimental execution, alignment procedures, automation, documentation, data analysis, and knowledge transfer to improve reproducibility and team efficiency.
• Review experimental results, identify technical risks and performance limitations, and guide the team towards clear, evidence-based next steps.
• Communicate complex technical information clearly through design reviews, technical reports, presentations, and cross-functional discussions with both specialist and non-specialist stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with nanofabrication, electronics, mechanical, software, and AMO teams to define integrated test plans, resolve system-level trade-offs, and ensure effective delivery of optical subsystems.
• Contribute to the long-term optics roadmap, including capability development, team structure, tooling, experimental infrastructure, and the scaling of the optics function as the technology matures.