Senior Fpga Engineer

**About Oxford Ionics**

Oxford Ionics is a start-up building Quantum Computers to revolutionise industries from cybersecurity to material design. Quantum Computing offers a radically new way of building computers that harnesses the power of quantum physics to exponentially outperformconventional supercomputers. We are using unique trapped-ion technology to build the first Quantum Computers that can realise this potential.

Based in Oxford with our team working across Europe and beyond, we are an agile, ambitious company who champion creative thinking in a fast-paced environment at the cutting edge of technology.

**Our technology**

We control our quantum computers using hundreds of DC voltages and dozens of RF waveforms, and we read out their quantum bits using CMOS cameras. We mostly use Xilinx FPGAs running softcore systems-on-chip to handle the control.

**Roles and responsibilities**

You will lead the FPGA design of our next-generation control architecture, adding new capabilities and enabling us to build increasingly larger and more powerful quantum computers. This role works closely with our software engineers, and we use the followingtech stack:

- FPGA gateware is written in Migen, a Python-based HDL.
- Git for our version control
- GitHub for our issue tracking and continuous integration.
- Python for most of our software.

We are looking for someone who is self-directed and will independently seek out and tackle the bottlenecks and limitations of our system.

**You might be a great fit for this position if**

**You have real-world experience leading and managing complex FPGA projects.**
- You are experienced in Verilog, VHDL, or more recent HDLs such as Migen or Amaranth, and familiar with Xilinx FPGAs.
- You enjoy writing elegant HDL and optimising complex designs.
- You find debugging fun, especially timing, I/O and peripheral interfacing.
- Knowledge of open-standard architectures such as RISC-V, and open-source tools such as Verilator, is valuable.

**You're excited to work closely with our software engineers and use software engineering techniques to improve your FPGA design workflow.**
- You appreciate how version control, automated testing and continuous integration improve your productivity and the reliability of designs.
- You know Python, which will be an advantage when writing Migen-based FPGA designs and integrating them with our workflow.

**You like to make grand architectural visions happen, not just put out the fires burning right now.**
- You enjoy planning multi-layered systems from the beginning, rather than being handed lists of requirements.
- You are eager to understand the technology stack, from the laboratory control hardware to the embedded software we run on the FPGA SoCs.

**Why work with Oxford Ionics?**

**Values**

We care about building technology that empowers people to do the impossible, whether it’s designing new drugs or solving complex optimization problems. Oxford Ionics is an inclusive and supportive work environment, with the resources to learn, grow, andwork collaboratively to develop cutting-edge technology.

**Research**

You will be working to solve unique, never-before-solved challenges with a world-class team of scientists and engineers. We work across fields including algorithm design, microfabrication, opto-mechanical engineering, vacuum design, and radiofrequency electronics.

**Collaboration**

You will be well-supported by a team that brings experts from a wide range of disciplines. We have a non-hierarchical structure, which allows everyone to contribute to finding the right answer; we’re excited to learn from the unique insights that you willbring.

**Location**

**Flexibility**

We accommodate flexible working hours and up to 50% remote work is possible with this role, limited by the requirements of developing our on-site FPGA hardware.

**Benefits**

We offer highly competitive compensation packages including equity, a cycle to work scheme and, as of September, we will also offer a healthcare package.