Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC)
Algorithm Engineer
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At OQC, we aren't just theorising about the future; we're building it. Born from a philosophy of bold innovation, we've transitioned quantum computing from an academic ambition into a commercial reality - and we're just getting started.
The Purpose
Build practical, reusable algorithms that help turn OQC's quantum capabilities into useful products.
The Role
As our Algorithm Engineer, you'll select, adapt and implement classical algorithms and scientific machine-learning methods across our product portfolio. You'll combine hands-on development with rigorous benchmarking, helping identify where quantum and hybrid approaches can add value - and where classical methods remain the right choice.
Working within our Product team and reporting to Product and Engineering leadership, you'll be a senior, hands-on individual contributor collaborating with quantum algorithm engineers, software engineers and technical product colleagues.
You'll help select suitable methods, implement algorithmic components and connect them into wider applications. Alongside this, you'll develop reusable evaluation tools and meaningful comparisons that help the team understand performance, limitations and practical value.
Your initial work will support financial-services applications, with scope to apply your expertise across other sectors as the platform develops. A financial-services background is not essential; the ability to transfer your technical expertise between different problems is what matters.
We welcome candidates from industry or applied research who can connect their technical work to practical business or customer needs. Previous quantum-computing experience is not essential.
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The role is based in King's Cross, London, with hybrid working and regular time together in the office.
What You'll Be Working On
- Select, adapt and implement classical algorithms and scientific machine-learning methods, choosing approaches according to the structure and needs of each problem.
- Develop reusable optimisation, sampling, surrogate, generative and multi-fidelity methods that can support multiple products and applications.
- Work alongside quantum algorithm engineers and technical product colleagues to integrate algorithmic components into wider applications.
- Build common benchmark implementations and matched classical controls, enabling rigorous comparisons with quantum and hybrid approaches.
- Create reusable evaluator libraries that support consistent assessment across OQC's product and algorithm-development infrastructure.
- Identify workloads suited to quantum intervention, communicating the evidence, limitations and trade-offs that inform method selection.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Strong expertise in classical algorithms or scientific machine learning, with depth in one or more of optimisation, probabilistic modelling, simulation or generative methods.
- Hands-on experience implementing and evaluating algorithms, with an understanding of how your work supports practical applications.
- Experience designing rigorous benchmarks and selecting methods according to the problem and supporting evidence.
- The breadth to support financial-services applications initially and apply your technical expertise across other sectors.
- The ability to take ownership, communicate clearly and work effectively across disciplines.
- A degree or equivalent practical experience in computer science, software engineering or a related discipline.
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Desirable
- Experience helping turn algorithms into commercially used applications or products. Relevant applied research closely connected to business needs is also valuable.
- Experience working on enterprise platforms, data products or regulated customer deployments.
- Familiarity with quantum computing or hybrid classical-quantum products.
- A relevant professional or postgraduate qualification.
The ‘Nice-to-Haves'
- A pragmatic approach to problem-solving, balancing technical rigour with practical delivery.
- Curiosity about emerging technologies and a willingness to explore where they offer meaningful value.
- Comfort working in a fast-evolving technical environment, where products and approaches are still taking shape.
Why Join OQC
You'll join a multidisciplinary team bringing classical algorithms, software and quantum computing together to develop practical applications.
This is an opportunity to apply your existing expertise in a new context, work alongside quantum specialists and build capabilities that can be reused across products and sectors. Your work will help the team understand not just what an approach can do, but when it is the right choice.
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