{"id":3789413,"url":"https://alion.io/job/infleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2","title":"Staff Quantum Physicist, Hardware Systems","company":{"id":6532,"name":"Infleqtion","domain":"infleqtion.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/infleqtion","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workable","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":6,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":46,"computed_at":"2026-11-09T06:03:00Z"}},"role":"Quantum","role_family":"Quantum","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Chicago, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":190000,"max":230000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":230000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-05T05:45:32Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-05","last_verified_at":"2026-11-09T07:41:23Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":4,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":4},"description":"Infleqtion is on a mission to commercialize atom-based quantum technologies that deliver orders-of-magnitude improvements in sensing and computing applications. As a deep-tech startup, we embrace a results-driven, fast-paced, and customer-focused approach to innovation. We are seeking self-motivated, energetic individuals with exceptional problem-solving and technical skills to help drive our Quantum Computing mission forward. We encourage applications from experimental physicists with expertise in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics, particularly those with experience in the coherent control of quantum systems such as ultracold atoms, trapped ions, and diamond NV centers.\nRole and Responsibilities\nThe responsibilities below represent the core scope of the role and may evolve based on business and program needs. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. Staff Quantum Physicists at Infleqtion remain deeply engaged in system development and operation while also providing technical direction, developing team members, and, where applicable, managing a small team. Depending on program needs, a Staff Quantum Physicist may lead the development of a hardware system or provide technical leadership across multiple teams.\nLead the design, integration, calibration, operation, and improvement of neutral-atom quantum computing systems and critical subsystems.\nTranslate program goals into technical requirements, experimental plans, performance targets, and technical direction across quantum processor design, Rydberg excitation, gate protocols, laser systems, calibration, and system integration.\nDesign and analyze experiments and physics-based models to improve gate fidelity, stability, availability, and processor performance; guide architecture and engineering tradeoffs.\nOwn critical systems through validation, troubleshooting, performance tuning, reliability improvement, and documentation; translate complex R&D objectives into prioritized work and drive cross-functional delivery.\nDevelop Python-based tools in Linux environments for experiment control, data analysis, calibration, automation, and operational support.\nReview technical work and uphold team standards and best practices.\nManage up to six direct reports, including expectations, performance, coaching, and career development.\nContribute to hiring, proposals, intellectual property, technical roadmaps, and external technical discussions\nRequirements\nPhD in atomic, optical, AMO, quantum physics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience; typically 5+ years of relevant post-PhD experience or comparable experience leading complex quantum, atomic, optical, or precision-measurement systems.\nDeep hands-on experience designing, operating, or improving complex AMO or coherent-control experiments, with strong knowledge of atom-light interactions and technologies such as lasers, optical systems, acousto-optic or electro-optic modulators, RF instrumentation, and ultra-high-vacuum systems.\nProficiency with Python for experiment control, data analysis, automation, or hardware integration, plus working knowledge of Linux, command-line tools, and version control.\nDemonstrated ability to turn ambiguous technical goals into executable plans and validated outcomes, lead system-level work across disciplines, and communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.\n It is a plus if you have:\nExperience with neutral-atom quantum computing, Rydberg physics, optical-tweezer arrays, quantum-gate characterization and optimization, or related processor architectures; familiarity with physical error mechanisms and quantum-error-correction requirements.\nExperience with advanced laser and optical systems, including short-wavelength lasers, beam delivery and shaping, optical projection, high-NA imaging, noise mitigation, feedback control, and subsystem stabilization.\nExperience integrating optical, electronic, vacuum, control, and software subsystems into complex experimental platforms.\nDemonstrated technical leadership through mentoring, cross-team coordination, and delivery of complex technical programs; experience contributing to proposals, patents, roadmaps, customer discussions, or government-funded R&D.\nNote\nThis position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations for quantum computing technology. Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.\nWORKING CONDITIONS and PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS\nWork will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment and around technical equipment including computers and lasers. We ask that candidates be able to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers; able to effectively engage in communications (via phone, computer, or in-person). Any required Personal Protective Equipment will be provided and must be properly used in accordance with company requirements.\nTRAVEL\nUp to 10% travel may be required.\nBenefits\nSalary Range: per year $190,000 - $230,000\n100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability \nEmployer-funded Health Savings Account \nUnlimited PTO \n401(k) match \nCompany-paid Life and AD&D Insurance \nFlexible Savings Account \nPaid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave \nEmployee Assistance Program \nStudent Loan Repayment \nEquity Program\nNotice to Recruitment Agencies:\nInfleqtion does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Infleqtion is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.","description_format":"text","description_chars":5686,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Unlimited PTO"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Hardware","Science & Engineering","Quantum Science & Computing","Sensors & Transducers"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-05T05:45:32Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":4,"expected_fill_days":46,"reasons":["conf:2","velocity","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-11-09T06:03:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":230000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/infleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/infleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-09T08:41:15Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":7349,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-10T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":6532},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=6532"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Finfleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":2,"usd":0.2},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Finfleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Finfleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/infleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Finfleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-2"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3789413}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"infleqtion.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3789413},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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