{"id":3789414,"url":"https://alion.io/job/infleqtion-staff-quantum-physicist-hardware-systems-lead","title":"Staff Quantum Physicist, Hardware Systems Lead","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":"2026-11-10T06:52:35Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"lead","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":true,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Linux","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-05T05:45:32Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-05","last_verified_at":"2026-11-10T03:49:32Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":5,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":5},"description":"Help Infleqtion build the future of quantum in Illinois. We are 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.\nWe are deploying a neutral-atom quantum computer in Chicago and are seeking a leader to build, manage, and develop the team that will bring it to life. You will lead the hardware team’s technical execution and people’s development. You will collaborate with our facilities and project management personnel to help the new team succeed at our new Chicago quantum hardware lab.\nYour primary responsibility will be to enable a talented team to succeed. You will set up technical priorities, shape and ratify high-impact technical decisions, coach and develop team members, and create an environment where physicists and engineers can do their best work. You will also partner with experts across Infleqtion to advance our neutral-atom quantum computing systems.\nWe value demonstrated people leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to deliver through a team above any single technical specialization. A strong scientific or engineering foundation is essential, along with the curiosity and credibility to lead experts working on complex quantum systems.\nFor candidates excited to make Chicago their next home, we are willing to provide relocation assistance for the right candidate.\nRole and Responsibilities\nThis is a quantum hardware leadership and people-management role with technical oversight. You will be accountable for team performance, employee development, and execution at our new Chicago lab, while remaining close enough to the technical work to guide decisions and remove obstacles. Responsibilities may evolve as the effort grows, and the program needs to change.\nLead the Chicago Quantum Systems Team, Guide Technical Development, and Deliver Results\nLead the hardware team launching Infleqtion’s Chicago quantum computer. Establish and maintain effective working practices and operational readiness, and reinforce Infleqtion’s culture of accountability, inclusion, scientific rigor, and open communication. \nManage up to six direct reports, setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback, performance management, coaching, and career development. \nHelp hire and onboard physicists and engineers, building a team with complementary strengths. \nRepresent the Chicago hardware team within Infleqtion and coordinate its work with the Chicago quantum software team and across the broader Computing organization. \nLead the team’s development, integration, commissioning, and operation of neutral-atom quantum computing systems, drawing on specialists’ expertise to guide technical decisions and improve processor performance, including gate fidelity, stability, availability, and reliability. \nEnsure the team uses rigorous approaches to experimentation, validation, troubleshooting, and system operation. \nContribute to technical roadmaps, proposals, intellectual property, and external technical discussions. \nParticipate directly in technical problem-solving when needed, while maintaining primary focus on leading and developing the team. \nWork closely with project managers to translate program goals into clear priorities, achievable milestones, staffing needs, and coordinated work plans; identify and track risks and resolve obstacles. \nRequirements\nDemonstrated success managing and developing technical teams, including direct responsibility for goal setting, performance feedback, coaching, and career growth. \nExperience leading complex experimental hardware projects from ambiguous objectives to measurable results. \nAbility to build trust, delegate effectively, address challenges constructively, and bring together people with different areas of expertise. \nStrong planning and execution skills, including prioritizing work, managing competing demands, and coordinating across disciplines. \nClear communication with both specialist and non-specialist audiences. \nA strong technical foundation in quantum physics, atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics or a related field, sufficient to guide technical discussions and evaluate tradeoffs. \nA PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or equivalent professional experience; typically, five or more years of relevant post-PhD experience or comparable experience leading complex scientific or engineering systems. \nWe recognize that strong leaders bring different technical backgrounds. Candidates do not need expertise in every subsystem listed below; the ability to lead specialists, ask thoughtful questions, and support sound technical decisions is essential.\nIt Is a Plus If You Have\nExperience establishing a new laboratory, opening a technical office, or growing a research and development team. \nExperience with neutral-atom quantum computing, Rydberg physics, optical-tweezer arrays, quantum-gate characterization, or related processor architectures. \nExperience with coherent control of quantum systems, including ultracold atoms, trapped ions, or diamond NV centers. \nFamiliarity with lasers, optical systems, RF instrumentation, ultra-high-vacuum systems, and the integration of complex experimental platforms. \nFamiliarity with Python, Linux, and tools for experiment control, data analysis, calibration, and automation. \nExperience contributing to proposals, patents, technical roadmaps, customer discussions, or government-funded R&D. \nWhy This Opportunity\nBuild something from the beginning: Help shape a new Chicago quantum hardware team, including its team culture and ways of working. \nMake an impact through people: Develop talented scientists and engineers and give them direction and support to succeed. \nAdvance quantum computing: Lead a team translating ambitious research into increasingly capable and reliable systems. \nMake Chicago your next chapter: Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate who wants to move to Chicago. \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. 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