Systems Engineer

At Universal Quantum, we are building the next generation of quantum computers - machines capable of solving problems once thought impossible. Our technology has the potential to transform industries from healthcare to aerospace, materials science, and beyond. As we scale from breakthrough R&D to global delivery, resilient execution becomes as critical as technical innovation.

We are looking for a Systems Engineer who will take technical ownership for the systems engineering of complex quantum computing systems, subsystems, and capabilities, from definition through integration, verification, and deployment.

The role works across electronic, mechanical, cryogenic, vacuum, optical, software, and control domains, applying systems engineering rigour to turn complex technical intent into coherent, testable, and deployable system solutions. Working closely with Architecture, Product, Quantum, and Engineering teams, you will tackle multidisciplinary engineering problems, establish clear system boundaries and interfaces, and drive technical issues through to resolution.

What You'll Accomplish

Systems engineering practice: Apply and help evolve Universal Quantum's systems engineering lifecycle, methods, standards, and tools across complex quantum computing programmes, including requirements management, traceability, modelling, simulation, configuration control, and MBSE where appropriate.

System decomposition: Own the systems engineering of allocated systems, subsystems, or capabilities, including requirements decomposition, interfaces, technical budgets, specifications, trade studies, and acceptance criteria, working closely with Product, Architecture, Quantum, Hardware, Software, and Control teams.

Technical assurance: Provide rigorous systems engineering input to design, readiness, test, and acceptance reviews; identify and drive technical risks, non-conformances, failure investigations, and corrective actions to appropriate resolution.

Technical delivery: Manage requirements, interfaces, dependencies, technical risks, and engineering evidence within the assigned system scope, identifying issues early and working across teams to drive them to resolution.

Cross-functional execution: Work across research, engineering, product, programme, quality, supply chain, and customer-facing teams to resolve system-level issues, make trade-offs visible, and enable timely technical decisions and transparent communication.

Integration, verification, and validation: Define and maintain verification plans, acceptance criteria and requirements, working with engineering and integration teams through integration, fault investigation, system test, and acceptance.

Quality, safety, and compliance: Ensure allocated systems meet applicable reliability, safety, regulatory, contractual, and quality requirements, with evidence appropriate to each programme.

Technical improvement: Contribute to technical strategy and product roadmaps, identifying opportunities to improve system performance, modularity, manufacturability, serviceability, and scalability.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

Degree in Systems Engineering, Physics, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

Strong technical foundation in one or more relevant engineering or physical-science domains, such as RF/microwave engineering, control systems, semiconductors, vacuum and cryogenic systems, or precision electronics.

Experience applying systems engineering across complex multidisciplinary hardware and software products.

Experience taking ownership of technically complex problems spanning multiple engineering disciplines, from definition through integration and verification.

Practical understanding of systems engineering methods, including requirements management, interface definition, verification and validation, risk management, configuration management, and technical reviews.

Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple technical disciplines and engage at all levels of the organisation.

Strong systems-thinking capability and experience making sound engineering decisions in technically challenging and ambiguous environments.

It would also be desirable if you have:

Experience aligning stakeholders across research, engineering, product, and programme functions.

Experience within quantum computing or another deep-technology environment.

Experience transitioning advanced technologies from R&D into commercial products, customer deployments, or production environments.

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.