Senior Electronics Engineer

The future is quantum. Oxford Ionics is at the forefront of pioneering quantum computing, delivering world-leading innovation to create the most powerful, accurate, and reliable quantum systems. Quantum computing offers a radically new way of building computers that harnesses the power of quantum physics to outperform conventional supercomputers exponentially. Using our unique trapped-ion technology, we are leading the race to unleash quantum computing's unparalleled potential.

What to expect:

We’re looking for a Senior Electronics / Electrical Engineer to become the founding member of our EE team in Oxford and help us build the world’s most powerful quantum computers. You will own mixed signal PCB development for our quantum systems, covering low noise analogue paths and high-speed digital subsystems (FPGAs, DACs, DDS). You will also establish the processes, tools and culture for the EE function, growing the team in Oxford and working with the wider organisation.

The quantum core of our hardware is built from trapped-ion qubits, controlled by devices designed and made by a partner tier 1 fab. We control the ions using electrical signals and laser light, driven by real-time FPGA systems and networked equipment. The quantum state is read out using precisely tuned lasers and CMOS sensors, with the entire hardware system orchestrated by Xilinx FPGAs and SoCs. The role of the EE team is both to understand and develop our existing lab-grade electrical systems and look ahead to architect, design and produce data centre quality systems for the future.

This is initially a lab-centric role that involves technical work as you build a team: you’ll be the person who gets the systems working to their best today and the mentor who grows tomorrow’s electronics group by designing and validating production units.

What you'll be responsible for:

Design

• Lead the lifecycle of PCB and electronic module design and production, focusing on system architecture and integration.
• Perform and manage tasks, including requirements capture, simulation, schematic, bring-up, verification, debug, and release to production.
• The expectation is that layout, assembly and production will be done elsewhere.
• Designs include low-noise analogue filters and front-ends (up to 500 MHz), power-distribution networks, SERDES interfaces and FPGA systems.
• Build the component library, BoM and drawing standards
• Work with software and FPGA teams to define board-to-board protocols, timing budgets and control interfaces
• Contribute to high-level system architectures and design scaling strategies

Manufacture

• Own relationships layout and manufacturing teams: agree stack-ups and design rules, handle engineering queries & sign off first-article inspections
• Develop automated test fixtures, calibration routines and data-capture scripts; drive first-pass-yield improvements and root-cause analysis of failures.
• Generate documentation required for EMC / safety compliance

Validation

• Lead the validation and sign off mixed signal engineering unit designs
• Own the quality of electronic systems deployed into our quantum computers
• Manage earth-leakage and ground loops in multi-rack SMPS-based systems
• Work with colleagues to install and effectively use the electronic systems

Leadership

• Recruit, coach and lead a small team of electronics engineers
• Run design reviews and set technical direction, ensuring quality of systems produced
• Work with the wider organisation to fully resource the manufacture of electrical and electronic systems

What you'll need:

• Strong track record of mutli-layer PCB design, ideally in Altium
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex PCB design and integrated projects within in an industrial environment
• Strong analytical, test, and hardware debugging skills
• Significant experience in design for test, and other engineering best practice
• Confident with hands-on lab equipment and test such as oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum and logic analysers
• Experience planning work packages, mentoring engineers and communicating with senior stakeholders.
• Clear technical writing, cross-disciplinary collaboration and a bias for hands on problem solving in a fast-moving environment.
• BEng / MEng in Electrical or Electronic Engineering (or similar) plus 10+ years delivering complex mixed-signal PCBs in an industrial setting.

Analog circuit design experience to include

• Active and passive filter design
• Low noise DAC circuits
• Cross talk mitigation
• Power supply systems

Digital circuit design experience to include

• FPGA system design
• High-speed serial links and standard buses (SPI, I²C, JTAG)
• Clock distribution including DDS devices

System level architecture experience to include

• Working with the software and FPGA engineers to design system level architecture
• Power supply optimisation including ground leakage on switch mode supplies
• Ground loop prevention and mitigation

Desirable skills

• FPGA/SoC development flows (VHDL/Verilog, Xilinx / Intel tool chains).
• Exposure to cryogenic, RF/microwave or other ultra-low-noise electronics domains.
• Scripting for test automation (Python, Rust) and familiarity with Git-based workflows.
• Knowledge of CE/UKCA, EMC and safety certification processes.
• Experience with high-density interconnect packaging, cabling and system-level thermal/mechanical integration.

Benefits

Oxford Ionics is leading the way in quantum technology, and we need skilled, innovative individuals like you. We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career with a world-class team, business stock options, 30 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), flexible working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family and much more. Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

Oxford Ionics is committed to equal opportunity for all.