The Role
We are looking for a Systems Engineer to join our team developing Aegiq's next-generation quantum computing systems, taking complex hardware and software technologies from initial concepts through to integration, testing and deployment.
You will work across photonics, electronics, quantum physics, mechanical engineering and software to define system architectures, manage technical requirements and ensure the different elements of our technology work together as intended.
Our systems bring together photonic integrated circuits, quantum light sources, lasers, high-speed electronics, optical packaging, cryogenic equipment and software. You will play a key role in translating these technologies into reliable, integrated systems that can operate outside the research laboratory.
This is a practical, multidisciplinary role where you'll work closely with specialist engineers and scientists, contribute to technical decisions and take ownership of challenging system-level problems.
Depending on experience, the position may be offered at Senior Systems Engineer level.
What You'll Be Doing
- System Architecture & Requirements: Work with our quantum science, engineering and product teams to define system requirements, develop architectures and translate technical objectives into clear, measurable specifications.
- Interface Definition & Management: Define and manage the interfaces between photonic, optical, electronic, mechanical, cryogenic and software subsystems, ensuring they operate together as a complete system.
- System Performance & Analysis: Develop and maintain system-level performance budgets and metrics, including optical loss, photon collection efficiency, temperature stability, vibration, fidelity, error rates and reliability. Identify technical risks and work with engineering teams to resolve performance limitations.
- Integration & Verification: Plan and support subsystem integration, testing and verification activities, ensuring system performance can be demonstrated against requirements. Investigate integration issues and coordinate technical solutions across engineering disciplines.
- System Modelling & Design: Work alongside specialist engineers to evaluate system-level design choices, drawing on optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical modelling to support technical decisions.
- Prototyping & Development: Contribute to the design, assembly and testing of experimental systems and prototypes, including hardware integration, component selection and the development of Python-based test and control tools.
- Product Development: Support the transition from laboratory prototypes to reliable, deployable hardware, considering packaging, maintainability, remote operation and integration into rack-mounted computing systems.
- Technical Collaboration: Work across our engineering and scientific teams, helping coordinate technical activities, resolve design challenges and maintain a clear understanding of system-level progress and risks.
About Aegiq
Aegiq is a Sheffield-based quantum technology company developing scalable, fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. Founded in 2019, we work across the full quantum computing stack, from semiconductor chips and photonic hardware to software and real-world applications.
In 2025, we delivered our first-generation quantum computer to the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre. We're now developing our second-generation platform and expanding our team to tackle the scientific and engineering challenges involved in building quantum computers at scale.
We're a growing team of scientists, engineers and specialists who enjoy solving difficult problems and turning new ideas into working technology. At Aegiq, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of your work, contribute directly to the technology we're developing and help shape the future of the company.
We value different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking. If you're excited about the work we're doing, we'd encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn't match every requirement listed.
Requirements
What We're Looking For
- Education: A degree in Engineering, Physics or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience. A Master's degree or PhD is welcome but not essential.
- Systems Engineering Experience: Experience developing or integrating complex multidisciplinary hardware systems, ideally involving a combination of optical, electronic, mechanical and software technologies.
- Systems Thinking: Ability to understand how different subsystems interact, identify technical dependencies and make informed decisions about system-level trade-offs.
- Engineering Methods: Familiarity with structured engineering development, including requirements definition, interface management, risk assessment, verification and validation.
- Technical Problem Solving: A practical and analytical approach to investigating complex problems, identifying root causes and developing effective engineering solutions.
- Communication & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with specialists from different technical disciplines, communicate requirements clearly and bring people together to solve engineering challenges.
- Adaptability: Comfortable working in a growing technology company, taking ownership of problems and contributing across different stages of system development.
Nice to Have
- Experience with photonic systems, optical instrumentation, lasers, fibre optics or cryogenic technologies.
- Experience integrating packaged photonic integrated circuits with optical and electrical interfaces.
- Experience developing hardware for data centres, telecommunications, high-performance computing or other environments requiring reliable, remotely operated systems.
- Familiarity with systems engineering methods and tools, such as requirements traceability, interface control documents, FMEA or model-based systems engineering.
- Experience with Python or similar tools for hardware control, test automation or system modelling.
- Experience taking complex hardware from research or prototype stages through to reliable, deployable products.
- Experience providing technical leadership or coordinating multidisciplinary engineering activities.
We know that no two people have the same experience. If you're interested in the role and meet most, but not all, of the criteria, we'd still encourage you to apply.
Benefits
- Competitive salary, based on experience and skills.
- 25 days of annual leave, in addition to bank holidays and company closure days.
- A Sheffield-based workplace, with excellent transport links and a great balance of city life and affordability.
- The opportunity to join a growing company developing some of the most exciting technology in quantum computing.
- Meaningful responsibility from the outset, with opportunities to develop your skills, take on new challenges and grow your career as Aegiq expands.
- A friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment where different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are valued, and everyone is encouraged to contribute.