Senior Optical Engineer

The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Senior Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the companys mission of building state-of-the-art manufacturable and deployable neutral atom quantum computers. The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the companys technology leadership and translating the companys scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers. To accomplish this mission we are looking to hire a candidate with graduate-level education in optics optical engineering or applied physics with industry experience in an enterprise engineering environment. The ideal candidate will combine a deep fundamental understanding of several areas of optics design and engineering. Although candidates with a Ph.D. in physics may be considered applicants should ensure they have sufficient professional experience beyond academia in an enterprise engineering environment to establish themselves independently as a senior-level engineer.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Work with physicists to understand requirements and architect optical systems sub-systems modules and components to support QuEras neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D productization maintenance and beyond).
• Advance state-of-the-art engineering practices at QuEra through independent research problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate closely with the R&D/science team to enable cutting-edge R&D and translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
• Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with local support team).

Qualifications

• B.S. in optics optical engineering applied physics or a closely related field (Ph.D. or M.S. preferred).
• 5-8 years work experience designing optical and opto-mechanical systems in a non-academic (industry national lab FFRDC or similar) environment with enterprise engineering practices.
• Excellent system-level design skills including Zemax simulation skills COMSOL simulation skills and CAD design skills etc.
• Deep domain expertise in the areas of
• Free-space optics (free-space and fiber)
• Modulators
• Electronics
• Lasers
• Optical system characterization and testing
• Ultra-high vacuum
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills (e.g. assembly alignment cleaning testing)
• Experience leading the design of scientific instruments and apparatuses and bringing complex optical systems from concept to production.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly. We determine base compensation decisions on several factors including as geographic placement role-specific knowledge skills and/or addition to our base salary offerings we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race religion color national origin gender gender expression sexual orientation age marital status veteran status disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.