Senior Manager, System Operations - Oxford

Quantum is now, and it's built here.

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we’re building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve. Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

We are looking for a Senior Manager, System Operations to join our System Operations team at IonQ. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the team that keeps our quantum computers running reliably for customers worldwide, while improving resilience, performance, throughput, and efficiency across the fleet. You will contribute to the team’s mission of ensuring the smooth operation, deployment, and continuous improvement of our commercial quantum systems. You’ll play an important part in shaping the operational processes, tools, and systems that support our work in building the world’s most advanced quantum systems.

What You'll be Doing:

In this position, you will work on leading a team of Operating Physicists, supporting the effective delivery of reliable fleet operations, system deployments, operational readiness, and continuous system improvement. You’ll have the opportunity to improve reliability, strengthen operational performance, and influence future product and technology development through operational insight.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and develop a team of physicists responsible for maintaining and improving IonQ’s commercial quantum computing fleet
• Build team strategy and tactical plans across fleet operations, incident management, deployment, and operational improvement
• Manage priorities, schedules, costs, inventory, and sparing strategies across the operations programme
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, physicists, senior leaders, customers, and vendors to improve operational outcomes and influence future designs
• Define and manage key performance metrics, while leading resolution of complex operational issues impacting commercial QPU systems

Requirements

To be successful, you will need a strong background in physics or a related field, along with experience leading technical teams in complex operational or engineering environments. We’re looking for someone who can lead people effectively, solve complex system problems, and work across teams in a highly technical, fast-moving business.

You’d be a good fit with:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics or a related field, with experience managing physicists, scientists, or system engineers
• 5+ years of hands-on technical leadership and people management experience, including managing multiple projects, priorities, and deliverables
• Ability to identify and communicate design flaws in production systems, using sound technical judgement to improve reliability
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
• Knowledge of operational excellence practices in systems environments, including incident management and Learning From Incidents

You’d be a great fit with:

• 10+ years of technical leadership and people management experience, including prior experience managing managers
• Experience with automation, calibration, and operations management for complex technical systems
• Direct experience in reliability engineering, resilience engineering, or related disciplines
• Experience working in distributed on-call or 24/7 operational environments
• Prior experience with quantum computing, or a strong affinity for DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering, and relevant programming languages such as Python, Go, or JavaScript

Benefits

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world-class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.