At Universal Quantum we aim to make the world a better place by developing new computer technology. Together, we are creating truly impactful quantum computers. Our machines will be capable of solving problems until now considered impossible, with applications ranging across a broad range of industries including healthcare, materials and aerospace. We are looking to hire a Labortechniker/in /Laborassistent/in (f/d/m) to support the installation of Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) hardware and componentry required for our quantum devices. Passionate about helping create technologies which can change the world? We may be the right place for you so get in touch!
What You’ll Accomplish:
- Assist with the assembly and integration of mechanical, optical, electronic and cryogenic systems.
- Assemble mechanical components and source components based on defined specifications
- Support test setups and collect data (e.g., organising temporary test spaces, booking equipment, procuring required materials, monitoring tests).
- Maintain and organise essential lab resources, including stock supplies for mechanical, optical and electronic assemblies and test equipment.
- Assist in maintaining lab facilities and ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
- Drive 5S principles for an efficient and clean working environment.
- Actively participate in facilities planning, risk assessments, and hazard mitigations in support of health and safety priorities.
- Working as part of a multidisciplinary team of quantum, mechanical and electrical engineers
Requirements
The 3 Most Critical Attributes We’ll Use to Compare Candidates:
- German language skills at B2 or above
- Skilled at hands-on work, assembly, testing and troubleshooting.
- Experience in maintaining safe and efficient work environments, including proactive health and safety management
Must-have Skills:
- Strong experience in assembling, maintaining and data acquisition of complex technological systems.
- Experience in assembling mechanical systems, and integration with electrical or optical systems.
- Familiarity with health and safety regulations, including risk assessments and emergency preparedness.
- Strong organisational skills, including stock and resource management.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; team-oriented mindset.
Nice-to-have Skills:
- Knowledge of test setups from both a mechanical and system perspective.
- Proficiency in reading mechanical drawings and interpreting design specifications.
- Experience troubleshooting electro-mechanical, or optical systems (e.g. for maintenance)
- Ability to design mechanical components using basic CAD tools
- Experience with thermal management and cooling systems for high-precision equipment.
- Experience working with lasers, optical components, and alignment systems for high-precision or experimental setups, including troubleshooting laser systems, beam alignment, and performing optical measurements.
- Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python for data acquisition and analysis
- Degree or completed coursework in Mechanical Engineering, Quantum/Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
Benefits
Competitive salary, equity options, unlimited paid holiday allowance, direct insurance pension with 50% employer contributions, group life insurance, job ticket/Deutschlandticket, supplemental health insurance, personal development budget and a relocation allowance.
We are committed to nurturing diversity and inclusion
At Universal Quantum, we're passionate about working with and for all kinds of minds. We have made a number of formal commitments to help to hold ourselves accountable to both our team and peers. We welcome team members from all backgrounds, and work to create an environment where everyone can flourish freely.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
BLOCK 1 — EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
This role represents a critical technical enabler within the quantum hardware build-out lifecycle, serving as the essential interface between complex theoretical design and functional physical deployment. By specializing in the assembly and maintenance of Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) and cryogenic componentry—the fundamental environmental controls for trapped-ion quantum computing architectures—this function directly addresses the industry's pervasive challenge of hardware reliability and operational stability. The meticulous execution of these lab-based activities ensures the necessary low-noise, high-precision conditions required for achieving and sustaining quantum coherence, translating academic breakthroughs into resilient commercial-grade systems.
BLOCK 2 — INDUSTRY & ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS
The quantum computing market is currently characterized by a critical transition from lab-scale prototypes (Technology Readiness Level 3-4) to engineered, production-ready systems (TRL 5+). Trapped-ion architectures, like those utilized by Universal Quantum, place immense pressure on auxiliary systems, particularly those that manage environmental conditions. This technical assistant function operates at a key choke point in the value chain, focused on mitigating primary physical scaling bottlenecks. The required expertise in UHV, cryogenics, optics, and precision mechanics highlights the severe workforce gap where fundamental physics experience must merge with advanced, industry-standard engineering discipline. As commercial adoption requires longer mean time between failure (MTBF) and increased operational uptime, the capability to rapidly assemble, test, and maintain these integrated electromechanical and vacuum systems becomes a differential competitive advantage. This role contributes directly to derisking the fabrication timeline, ensuring that quantum processors can be housed, operated, and sustained in an environment conducive to large-scale qubit operations, thereby accelerating the path toward fault-tolerant quantum computation. The reliance on German-speaking technical personnel also signals a regional focus on developing indigenous European quantum supply chain capabilities.
BLOCK 3 — TECHNICAL SKILL ARCHITECTURE
The core technical architecture revolves around System Stability Engineering and Precision Metrology. Proficiency in hands-on assembly and troubleshooting, especially of complex systems integrating mechanical, optical, and electrical subsystems, ensures maximal hardware uptime and component yield. Experience with mechanical drawings and specifications serves as the foundational data layer, guaranteeing that physical assembly adheres to high-precision design tolerances necessary for quantum gate fidelity. Competence in Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) integrity and thermal management (cryogenic systems) is crucial, as environmental stability directly dictates qubit coherence times and system performance. The organizational skill domains, including 5S methodology and proactive health/safety management, are non-negotiable throughput enablers, transforming chaotic lab environments into repeatable, auditable engineering facilities capable of supporting high-tempo R\&D. Scripting familiarity (e.g., Python) provides the necessary connectivity to bridge physical testing with digital data acquisition and analysis pipelines, closing the loop between hardware fabrication and performance validation.
BLOCK 4 — STRATEGIC IMPACT * Accelerates the physical integration of UHV and cryogenic modules onto the quantum platform.
* Directly increases the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) for critical quantum hardware components.
* Enforces engineering standards that enable repeatable, high-volume quantum device fabrication.
* Mitigates system-level risk associated with environmental control, a primary factor in qubit decoherence.
* Establishes internal capacity for rapid diagnostic testing and hardware maintenance turnaround.
* Facilitates faster R\&D cycles by ensuring test setups are organized, provisioned, and validated quickly.
* Strengthens the company’s internal safety culture and compliance posture for advanced experimental environments.
* Reduces reliance on external integration vendors by internalizing core quantum infrastructure skills.
* Supports the transition from prototype manufacturing to standardized hardware production flows.
* Enhances data quality by standardizing data collection procedures on complex test benches.
* Contributes to solving the quantum ecosystem’s skilled labor shortage in hands-on hardware engineering.
BLOCK 5 — FOOTER
Industry Tags: Quantum Hardware Engineering, Trapped Ion Qubit Technology, Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) Systems, Cryogenic Infrastructure, Precision Optomechanics, Quantum Computing Fabrication, Cleanroom Operations, System Integration, Quantum Device Reliability, Electromechanical Assembly
Keywords: Quantum lab technician job, Labortechniker quantum computing, UHV system maintenance, Cryocooler operation, Quantum hardware integration careers, Precision mechanical assembly quantum, Lab operations management, Quantum technology facility support, Technical assistant quantum, Trapped ion quantum hardware jobs, Optical alignment technician
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping & quantum ecosystem forecasting.