About the job

The Photonics Test Engineer role at Nu Quantum in Cambridge, UK, is a full-time, permanent position offering visa sponsorship and closing on 22nd September 2025. Nu Quantum, a spin-out from the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory founded in 2018, is pioneering quantum photonics innovation and developing the Entanglement Fabric to enable large-scale quantum computing. As part of the Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) team, you will be responsible for developing and executing characterisation methodologies for integrated photonic components and quantum devices, ensuring their performance, reliability, and scalability for advanced quantum networking systems. The role requires hands-on work in characterising integrated photonic devices such as waveguides, modulators, and detectors, operating optical and electrical test setups with lasers, detectors, and spectrum analysers, and using scripting languages like Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW for automation. You will collaborate closely with design engineers, scientists, and electronics specialists, analysing test results, troubleshooting, and optimising test protocols for scalable manufacturing. Candidates should hold a postgraduate degree (or equivalent experience) in Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a related field, have strong knowledge of waveguide theory, optics, electro-optic devices, and experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and statistical analysis. Desirable skills include familiarity with silicon or III-V photonic platforms, single-photon sources, photonic packaging, and high-speed electronics. The role also involves supporting lab infrastructure, ensuring health and safety compliance, and contributing to continuous workflow improvement. Nu Quantum offers a highly collaborative, inclusive environment with benefits such as flexible working, private medical and dental cover, on-site gym membership, generous annual leave, family-friendly policies, sabbatical options, employee referral schemes, and access to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens. This is an opportunity to join a growing company at the forefront of quantum technology and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of photonics and scalable quantum computing.