Quantum Microchip Designer (Ion Traps)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 23, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 6, 2026. Universal Quantum scores A on the Alion truth index.
At Universal Quantum, we aim to make the world a better place by engineering the future of computing. Together, we are creating truly impactful quantum computers. Our machines will be capable of solving problems until now considered impossible, with applications across healthcare, advanced materials, aerospace and beyond.
We are looking for a Quantum Microchip Designer (Ion Traps) to develop, design, test, and work with fabrication partners to realise next-generation microfabricated Paul traps for scalable quantum computers.
Passionate about helping create technologies that can change the world? We may be the right place for you, so get in touch.
What You’ll Accomplish:
- Work with users to determine suitable layouts for ion traps
- Develop and design ion traps for manufacture
- Act as technical liaison with ion trap manufacturers
- Perform electromagnetic and thermo-mechanical analysis and simulation on designs
- Work with package designers to develop packages and assembly procedures
- Document designs and simulations
Requirements
The 3 Most Critical Attributes We’ll Use to Compare Candidates:
- Surface ion trap design experience
- Strong numerical and analytical methods for electromagnetic and/or thermo-mechanical analysis
- Knowledge of ion motion and shuttling techniques
Must-have Skills:
- Able to write clear, technical documents
- Understand the architecture for an ion trap system
- Experience with design for test and manufacture
- Able to technically communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders
- Familiar with electrical testing methods and equipment
- PhD/master's degree in physics, electronic engineering, or a related discipline
Nice-to-have Skills:
- Experience fabricating ion traps
- Design and implement test harnesses of microfabricated structures
- Design for manufacture experience
- Design for reliability experience
- Package and assembly design experience
- Hands on experience shuttling ions
- Experience working with commercial foundries
- Familiarity with commercial design toolset (Custom Compiler, Virtuoso etc.)
Please feel encouraged to apply even if you don't match all the requirements of our job description. We would love to receive your application even if you think you're only a partial match
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Meaningful equity participation
- Flexible holiday allowance (28 days minimum)
- Flexible working
- 10% matching pension
- Generous parental support policy
- Private health / dental insurance & group life insurance
- £2,000 annual personal development budget
- Relocation support
We are committed to nurturing diversity and inclusion At Universal Quantum, we’re passionate about working with and for all kinds of minds. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and we hold ourselves accountable through continuous improvement, transparency, and the way we design our hiring and working practices. We welcome team members from all backgrounds and actively work to ensure everyone can flourish.