Cryogenic Assembly Engineer

HRL Laboratories, LLC; Malibu (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K match

Paid time off

Job summary

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, seeks an engineer to assemble, integrate, operate, and maintain advanced cryogenic systems used in quantum research. You will contribute to system builds, perform helium leak checks, and ensure documentation reflects configuration and maintenance status.

The role requires hands-on experience with dilution refrigerators and vacuum systems, strong mechanical skills, and the ability to work independently or with a team in a lab environment.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent military training, technical training, or industry experience.
• Experience with cryogenic systems, dilution refrigerators, vacuum systems, pumps, compressors, and scientific equipment.
• Understanding and application of basic mechanical engineering concepts.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience assembling and integrating equipment and systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, bills of material, assembly instructions, process documentation, and engineering terminology.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within a team.
• Ability to use hand tools and function safely in a laboratory environment performing assembly, integration, maintenance, and troubleshooting tasks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and ability to clearly document and communicate technical information.
• Understanding of configuration management and inventory control is desired.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on assembly and integration of cryogenic systems, including initial system buildup, reconfiguration, upgrades, and hardware changes.
• Perform installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and servicing of dilution refrigerators and associated equipment.
• Set up and operate equipment to verify system performance and diagnose system issues, and perform corrective actions to restore proper operation.
• Perform helium leak checking, vacuum system troubleshooting, component replacement, and preventative maintenance.
• Utilize engineering documentation to perform work, including drawings, assembly instructions, process documentation, and bills of material.
• Create and maintain assembly, integration, maintenance, and system configuration documentation.
• Coordinate system builds, integration activities, equipment availability, and schedules with engineering teams and other stakeholders and report / present status and issues to management.
• Support laboratory organization, equipment management, inventory control, and configuration management responsibilities.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of assembly, integration, maintenance, and troubleshooting processes.

Skills

Cryogenic systems

Dilution refrigerators

Mechanical engineering concepts

Hands-on assembly

Troubleshooting

Reading engineering drawings

Team collaboration

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Configuration management

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent military/technical experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Hand tools

Job description

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

Qubit Systems Laboratory (QSL)is a world leader in semiconductor spin qubits. Our broad expertise spans semiconductor growth, device design and modeling, cryogenic control, high-density interconnects and packaging, quantum architecture, and multiqubit demonstrations. Our system architecture is built entirely around scalable semiconductor manufacturing to make quantum computing affordable for practical business and scientific applications.

General Description

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, has been on the leading edge of technology, conducting pioneering research and advancing the state of the art. The ideal candidate will join an engineering team responsible for the assembly, integration, operation, and maintenance of advanced cryogenic systems supporting quantum research and development

• Perform hands‑on assembly and integration of cryogenic systems, including initial system buildup, reconfiguration, upgrades, and hardware changes
• Perform installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and servicing of dilution refrigerators and associated equipment
• Set up and operate equipment to verify system performance and diagnose system issues, and perform corrective actions to restore proper operation
• Perform helium leak checking, vacuum system troubleshooting, component replacement, and preventative maintenance
• Utilize engineering documentation to perform work, including drawings, assembly instructions, process documentation, and bills of material
• Create and maintain assembly, integration, maintenance, and system configuration documentation
• Coordinate system builds, integration activities, equipment availability, and schedules with engineering teams and other stakeholders and report / present status and issues to management
• Support laboratory organization, equipment management, inventory control, and configuration management responsibilities
• Contribute to the development and improvement of assembly, integration, maintenance, and troubleshooting processes

Required Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent military training, technical training, or industry experience
• Experience with cryogenic systems, dilution refrigerators, vacuum systems, pumps, compressors, and scientific equipment
• Understanding and application of basic mechanical engineering concepts
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on experience assembling and integrating equipment and systems
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, bills of material, assembly instructions, process documentation, and engineering terminology
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within a team
• Ability to use hand tools and function safely in a laboratory environment performing assembly, integration, maintenance, and troubleshooting tasks
• Ability to follow formal and informal assembly and integration processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and ability to clearly document and communicate technical information
• Understanding of configuration management and inventory control is desired

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform tasks safely in a lab environment and be able to occasionally work on ladders and/or scaffolding

Special Requirements:

U.S. Person Status Required

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $105,700 - $132,200
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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