Nu Quantum is at the forefront of quantum computing and advanced technology, driven by innovation, diversity, and a commitment to excellence. We create 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.
About the Role
As a Quantum Control Engineer, you will be embedded in a team designing, commissioning and running experiment control for quantum networking units, and interfacing with trapped‑ion quantum processing units. You will manage the software and hardware that controls, automates and monitors the scheduling, running and analysis of experiments on these systems. Your role will involve working with scientists and engineers to develop, deploy and maintain control and automation systems.
Our control systems use a mix of Python interfaces, real‑time scheduling from the ARTIQ platform, and a range of in‑house and third‑party hardware. You will create reliable workflows to run measurements, gather and analyse data, and interface with oscilloscopes, power supplies, laser systems, signal generators and custom electronics. You will collaborate closely with software, digital and electronic engineers to develop high‑quality solutions and set direction with scientific teams.
What You'll Be Doing
- Defining and implementing experiment control solutions within a team
- Developing lab equipment control for in‑house and third‑party equipment, primarily using Python
- Developing hard real‑time control using the ARTIQ platform and third‑party hardware
- Deploying and configuring experiment control systems, both in‑house and third‑party
- Supporting the software team through development and deployment workflows, adopting best practices
- Collaborating closely with science and engineering teams to translate plans into effective methodologies
- Finding creative approaches for experiments and control techniques to achieve desired performance
- Implementing and configuring user interfaces (graphical and text‑based) for experiment control, live monitoring and data visualisation
Requirements
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adjust style and content to various audiences and contexts
- Strong proactive problem‑solving skills, debugging issues with hardware and software and developing appropriate solutions and diagnostic techniques
- A desire to contribute to cross‑disciplinary projects requiring close collaboration
- Strong R&D software development skills, preferably including Python, with a desire to learn and adopt best practices
- Experience interfacing software with test and measurement equipment using drivers, gateware or APIs
- A numerate degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) or equivalent experience
Desirable (nice to have but not required)
- Linux deployment/development experience (schedulers, scripting, package managers, sockets, etc.)
- Version control systems, particularly git, in collaborative contexts
- Continuous integration and continuous delivery workflows and platforms, e.g. Jenkins, TeamCity, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD
- Software review workflows
- Numeric compute using e.g. NumPy, SciPy, Octave, MATLAB or similar
- Issue‑tracking systems, e.g. Jira, YouTrack, GitHub/GitLab issues
- Control protocols such as SCPI, VISA, MQTT
- Agile development workflows
- Cross‑team collaboration, particularly knowledge transfer
- Labs, particularly dealing with equipment used in ion‑trapping (lasers, cavities, RF electronics, optical metrology)
- Collaboration with scientists, particularly measurement automation
- Metrics and visualisation systems, e.g. Prometheus, Influx, Grafana, etc.
- Tuning or implementing feedback loops
- Real‑time control systems, particularly ARTIQ
- Qubit control schemes and potential tradeoffs
Benefits
- Refreshments, including fruit and beverages, available in the office
- Flexible working options
- 28 days annual leave, inclusive of a 3‑day company shutdown period + UK Bank Holidays
- Option to purchase up to 5 days holiday per year
- Access to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens
- On‑site gym membership
- Cycle scheme
- Private medical and dental cover (with Vitality and Bupa)
- Enhanced paid family leave policies
- Generous employee referral scheme
- 1 month paid Sabbatical after 4 years of service
- Group life assurance (4× salary)
Diversity and Inclusion
At Nu Quantum, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people of all identities, orientations, backgrounds, and experiences are empowered. We value diverse perspectives as a source of creativity and innovation and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented and marginalised communities.
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