{"id":4039147,"url":"https://alion.io/job/planqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-2","title":"Quantum Hardware Engineer","company":{"id":9437,"name":"planqc","domain":"planqc.eu","url":"https://alion.io/company/planqc","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Personio","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":85,"open_postings":12,"ghost_share":0.167,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":109,"computed_at":"2026-11-11T05:49:22Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cambridge, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-10T15:30:07Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-10","last_verified_at":"2026-11-11T11:25:34Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":0},"description":"Your mission\nAt planqc, we are building scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms - one of the most promising platforms for achieving real-world quantum advantage.As we expand our international presence and establish our operations in the United Kingdom, we are looking for a (Senior) Quantum Hardware Engineer to join us at this exciting stage of our growth.\nYou will play a central role in bringing our quantum systems from concept to reality. Working at the intersection of atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics and engineering, you will take ownership of critical subsystems within our quantum computing platform, driving them from design through integration and operation.\nAs part of our growing UK team, you will collaborate closely with colleagues across our international locations, combining cutting-edge research with practical engineering to develop robust, scalable quantum hardware.\nThis is an opportunity to contribute to the development of our quantum technology while helping shape planqc's engineering presence in the UK.\nWe are looking for experimental physicists who enjoy building complex systems, taking ownership and working in an ambitious, highly collaborative environment.\nYour responsibilities\nTake ownership of a key subsystem of our neutral-atom quantum computer, such as optical subsystems, laser distribution or quantum processor operation.\nDesign, build and optimise high-performance experimental setups for neutral-atom quantum systems.\nIntegrate your subsystem into the wider quantum computing platform, ensuring reliable and consistent operation.\nCollaborate closely with colleagues across physics, software, mechanical and electrical engineering to deliver integrated technical solutions.\nDrive continuous improvements in system stability, performance, reliability and scalability.\nContribute to system architecture decisions and technical roadmap discussions.\nWork closely with our international engineering teams, sharing knowledge, expertise and best practices.\nContribute to the development of our UK engineering activities as we establish and grow our local presence.\nWhat you bring\nA PhD in AMO physics, experimental quantum physics or a closely related discipline, or equivalent relevant research experience.\nStrong hands-on experience with lasers, optical setups and experimental quantum systems.\nDemonstrated experience designing, building, troubleshooting and operating complex experimental setups.\nTechnical expertise in one or more of the following areas:Optical tweezer arrays and atom arrays\nRydberg atoms or alkaline-earth atoms\nUltracold atoms, trapped ions or ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems\nHigh-numerical-aperture imaging and addressing systems\nFrequency- and amplitude-stabilised laser systems\n\nAbility to take ownership of complex technical challenges and drive solutions independently.\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, combined with a practical, hands-on approach.\nConfidence working collaboratively across different technical disciplines and international teams.\nNice to have\nProgramming experience, particularly Python for experiment control, automation or data analysis.\nExperience with electronics, control systems or laboratory automation.\nMechanical design experience, including CAD.\nExperience transitioning experimental research setups into reliable, scalable engineering systems.\nPrevious experience in a commercial R&D, deep-tech or startup environment.\nExperience collaborating across geographically distributed engineering teams.\nWhat characterizes you\nYou are a builder. You enjoy turning ambitious scientific ideas into working experimental systems.\nYou take ownership. You are comfortable making decisions, solving problems and driving technical topics forward.\nYou are curious and pragmatic. You combine scientific rigour with a hands-on, solution-oriented mindset.\nYou are collaborative. You enjoy working with specialists from different disciplines and sharing knowledge.\nYou are adaptable. You feel comfortable in an evolving environment where processes and structures are still developing.\nYou are motivated by impact. You want to see your work contribute directly to the development of real-world quantum technology.\nWhy join planqc\nAt planqc, we are transforming pioneering research into practical quantum computing technology.Founded in Germany and built on world-class research in neutral-atom quantum computing, we bring together physicists, engineers and software specialists who share one ambition: developing scalable quantum computers capable of solving meaningful problems.\nOur expansion into the UK marks an exciting new chapter in this journey.\nBy joining our UK team, you will have the opportunity to:\nJoin at an early stage. Become part of our growing UK presence and contribute to its development.\nWork on cutting-edge technology. Build and improve neutral-atom quantum hardware at the forefront of quantum computing.\nMake a tangible impact. Take ownership of critical technical systems and see your contributions directly influence our technology.\nCollaborate internationally. Work alongside experienced scientists and engineers across our European teams.\nGrow with us. Develop your expertise and responsibilities as our technology and international organisation evolve.\nCombine research with engineering. Work in an environment where scientific curiosity meets the ambition to build reliable, scalable systems.\nWhat we offerWe want to create an environment where talented people can do meaningful work, develop professionally and contribute to building something exceptional.\nInternational collaboration. Work with colleagues across our growing European organisation.\nLearning and development. Opportunities for professional training, technical development, conference participation and knowledge sharing.\nFlexible working. Flexible working arrangements where compatible with laboratory and operational requirements.\nCareer development. Opportunities to grow your responsibilities as our UK operations expand.\nCollaborative culture. An international, interdisciplinary environment built around curiosity, ownership and teamwork.\n UK benefits package: 10% Employer pension Contribution (NEST), private medical and dental insurance with BUPA, paid secondment in Germany (Munich).","description_format":"text","description_chars":6298,"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":["Dental insurance","Flexible schedule"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Quantum Science & Computing","Quantum Computing Hardware","High-Performance Computing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-10T21:41:51Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":109,"reasons":["conf:3","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-11-11T05:49:22Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/planqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/planqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-11T11:32:49Z","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":20224,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-12T00:00:00Z"}},"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":9437},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=9437"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fplanqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-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%2Fplanqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-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%2Fplanqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-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/planqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-2\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fplanqc-quantum-hardware-engineer-2"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":4039147}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"planqc.eu","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":4039147},"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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