Staff Quantum Physicist, Hardware Systems Lead

Infleqtion•Chicago, IL

3h•$190,000 - $230,000•Onsite

About The Position

Infleqtion is seeking a leader to build, manage, and develop the team launching its neutral-atom quantum computer at a new Chicago quantum hardware lab. The role leads the hardware team’s technical execution and people development, partnering with facilities and project management staff and experts across the company to advance neutral-atom quantum computing systems. This is a quantum hardware leadership and people-management role with technical oversight. The position is accountable for team performance, employee development, and execution at the Chicago lab, while staying sufficiently close to technical work to guide decisions and remove obstacles. The role prioritizes enabling the team through clear technical priorities, sound decisions, coaching, and an environment where physicists and engineers can do their best work. Responsibilities may evolve as the effort and program needs change. Work is normally performed in an office and laboratory environment around technical equipment, including computers and lasers. Up to 10% travel may be required. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate moving to Chicago. The role may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws; an employment offer may be conditioned on authorization to receive controlled software or technology without sponsorship for an export license.

Requirements

Demonstrated success managing and developing technical teams, including goal setting, performance feedback, coaching, and career growth.
Experience leading complex experimental hardware projects from ambiguous objectives to measurable results.
Ability to build trust, delegate effectively, address challenges constructively, and bring together people with different areas of expertise.
Strong planning and execution skills, including prioritizing work, managing competing demands, and coordinating across disciplines.
Clear communication with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
A strong foundation in quantum physics, atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, or a related field, sufficient to guide technical discussions and evaluate tradeoffs.
A 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.
Ability to lead specialists, ask thoughtful questions, and support sound technical decisions; expertise in every listed subsystem is not required.

Nice To Haves

Experience establishing a new laboratory, opening a technical office, or growing a research and development team.
Experience with neutral-atom quantum computing, Rydberg physics, optical-tweezer arrays, quantum-gate characterization, or related processor architectures.
Experience with coherent control of quantum systems, including ultracold atoms, trapped ions, or diamond NV centers.
Familiarity with lasers, optical systems, RF instrumentation, ultra-high-vacuum systems, and integration of complex experimental platforms.
Familiarity with Python, Linux, and tools for experiment control, data analysis, calibration, and automation.
Experience contributing to proposals, patents, technical roadmaps, customer discussions, or government-funded R&D.

Responsibilities

Lead the Chicago hardware team launching Infleqtion’s quantum computer and establish effective working practices and operational readiness.
Reinforce a culture of accountability, inclusion, scientific rigor, and open communication.
Manage up to six direct reports, setting expectations and providing feedback, performance management, coaching, and career development.
Help hire and onboard physicists and engineers with complementary strengths.
Represent the Chicago hardware team within Infleqtion and coordinate its work with the Chicago quantum software team and the broader Computing organization.
Lead development, integration, commissioning, and operation of neutral-atom quantum computing systems, drawing on specialists’ expertise to guide technical decisions and improve gate fidelity, stability, availability, and reliability.
Ensure rigorous approaches to experimentation, validation, troubleshooting, and system operation.
Contribute to technical roadmaps, proposals, intellectual property, and external technical discussions.
Participate directly in technical problem-solving when needed while keeping primary focus on leading and developing the team.
Work with project managers to translate program goals into priorities, milestones, staffing needs, and coordinated work plans; identify and track risks and resolve obstacles.