Portfolio Technical Lead - Optical Atomic Clocks

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world’s most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables “quantum everywhere” through our ecosystem of devices and platforms.

LOCATION

Infleqtion has offices in the USA, United Kingdom and Australia. This is a full-time position based at our Kidlington, Oxford office. Work from home permitted up to 2 days per week based on business needs and manager approval.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Portfolio Technical Lead (PTL) plays a substantial strategic role when determining, with other Infleqtion strategic leaders, what technologies and prototypes are transitioned from research to products.

This role is responsible for managing the atomic clock technical team to deliver excellence in R&D outcomes and being a key contributor to bringing our technology to deliverable products. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing a technical performance portfolio of projects to meet or exceed deliverable commitments, identifying and executing on internal research and development efforts, managing technical personnel who are assigned to your technical area, and road-mapping technical capabilities into business and product objectives.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Supervision

• Oversee the technical performance of a portfolio of atomic clock projects into a cohesive, road-mapped set of capabilities
• Set the technical performance thresholds and expectations for each project’s success, often working with internal and external stakeholders to communicate the feasibility of desired outcomes
• Cultivate relationships with funding agencies and transition partners to strengthen and grow the portfolio’s contract R&D pipeline
• Coordinate technical performance with Project Managers to assure cohesive overall project and portfolio success
• Assemble, brief, and deliver technical status, milestone reports, and design reviews to both internal and external stakeholders
• Designate and implement safety requirements and precautions to assure human and equipment protection in laboratory settings
• Identify and recommend contract pursuits that align with the technical roadmap, collaborating with the business development team
• Identify and recommend candidate technologies and prototypes for further product development and commercialisation
• Pursue strategic intellectual property and patent opportunities
• Guide on-time proposal development and contract updates by closely working with programmatic teams (proposal, contracts, management, and legal personnel) to define work breakdown structures, technical volumes, work plans, statements of work (SOWs), and quality assurance plans, submitting high-quality, competitive foundations for our next projects
• Support risk analysis and mitigation planning

Team Mentorship

• Guide project-level technical leaders toward successful outcomes, operating within the scope of a contract/plan
• Manage the careers for a set of key contributors aligned within your technical area, including performance reviews/feedback and working with HR to implement personnel-centric objectives
• Capable of handling changing circumstances and ambiguity, but also guiding others.
• Assign project responsibilities to your direct reports and recommend assignments for matrixed personnel to assure project success

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a primary technical point of contact for established external relationships, including companies, partners, sub-contractors, and suppliers
• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written communication with non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary contributors, both technical and programmatic
• Engage with Infleqtion leadership to advise on technical merits and needs associated with key decisions

Requirements:
Technical Knowledge

• PhD in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics
• Deep knowledge in time and frequency measurements
• Optical atomic clock design and operation
• Optical design, alignment, and control of complex laser systems
• Working knowledge of control systems and signal processing
• Mechanical, optical, and electronic design packages (e.g. Solidworks, Zemax, Altium)
• Ability to effectively influence and drive project team members and stakeholders
• Ability to work and communicate with all levels of an organisation; professional-level communication skills, including verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Ability to work comfortably in a highly collaborative, cross-functional, team-oriented, and matrixed environment
• Good verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively share information with technical and non-technical staff, both in writing and orally

Experience

• Multiple years of relevant and progressive experience in a technical project team context, including several years of leadership experience.
• Experience with proposal, experimentation, design, development, and transition of technically complex solutions and/or products
• Direct and hands-on experience supporting externally-funded projects
• Proven track record of integrating complex hardware and software into systems
• Experience in project management
• Understanding of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) practices and modeling workplace safety culture

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment. Able to sit, stand, bend, lift and carry up to 15 kg without assistance. 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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Regardless of your interest in the quantum industry, you can take pride in the fact that Infleqtion is building an ecosystem of quantum technologies and commercial products, driving the industry towards the future. Studies reveal that while men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other groups tend to apply only when they meet all the criteria. If you believe you have the potential but don't meet every single point in our job advertisement, please don't hesitate to contact us! We would love to chat with you and see how you could bring great value to our team. Our goal is to find exceptional individuals who can enrich our team culture, actively contribute, and have a genuine passion for their work. Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin colour, age, appearance, disability, neurodiversity, DNA, military/veteran status, citizenship, and other factors that make up who you are. Your uniqueness is valued, welcomed, and appreciated here. We are dedicated to providing a positive workplace and base all employment decisions on your qualifications, performance, merits, as well as business needs. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Benefits:
STARTING COMPENSATION

In addition to your base compensation, we offer a generous Total Rewards program which includes:

• Competitive salary
• Unlimited PTO
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Tax efficient technology schemes
• Incentive Stock Option Plan
• BUPA Private Healthcare Insurance once probationary period is successfully completed

CONTACT INFORMATION

If this opportunity interests you and you fit the job description, please submit an application. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].