Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware

Entangled Future; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rigetti Computing seeks a mid-level Cryogenics and RF Field Engineer to install, operate, and troubleshoot advanced cryogenic and RF systems at customer sites globally. You will travel to production-like quantum hardware deployments and collaborate with physicists, engineers, and technicians across time zones.

This hands-on role emphasizes reliability, rapid debugging, and meticulous documentation. You will own cryogenic infrastructure, participate in on-call rotations, read CAD drawings, and

Qualifications

• Deep lab experience with R&D hardware.
• Hands-on experience in field deployments or customer sites.
• Strong candidate for international travel and multi-time-zone work.
• Direct experience operating dilution refrigerators.

Responsibilities

• Test, validate, and debug RF control systems with advanced test equipment.
• Operate, monitor, and debug dilution refrigerators (cooldowns and steady-state).
• Service cryogenic and vacuum systems, including pumps and cryo components.
• Perform helium leak detection and thermal system management.
• Assemble and install complex cryogenic, vacuum, and RF assemblies with precision.
• Contribute to test plan development and validation testing for RF hardware.
• Participate in on-call rotation to support uptime across time zones.
• Prepare, inspect, and package quantum chip assemblies for testing.
• Follow SOPs and help improve standard operating procedures.
• Read and interpret CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering specs.

Skills

Cryogenics

RF Hardware

Dilution Refrigerators

Test Equipment

Vacuum Systems

CAD Drawings

Documentation

Field Deployment

Customer Facing

Python Scripting

Tools

Network Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

Vacuum Pumps

Job description

Field Engineer: Cryogenics & RF Hardware at Rigetti Computing, Berkeley, CA or Fremont, CA. A mid-level full time position in the QPU Engineering Operations team, listed under hardware engineering.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cryogenics and RF Field Engineer to support Rigetti systems deployed at customer facilities around the world. This is a hands-on, operations-focused role that travels to customer sites globally, working closely with both Rigetti teams and customer stakeholders in a highly collaborative, research-driven environment. The role is not tied to a single site — you'll be deployed to wherever Rigetti systems are installed, with assignments varying in length and location based on program needs.

In this role, you will work closely with physicists, engineers, and technicians to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced RF and cryogenic systems that enable next-generation quantum processors. You will be responsible for ensuring reliable system performance in a production-like environment, including direct ownership of cryogenic infrastructure, RF hardware validation, and rapid debugging of complex, cross-disciplinary issues spanning RF, vacuum, cryogenics, and electronics.

The ideal candidate brings deep laboratory experience with R&D hardware, has worked in customer-facing or field-deployed environments, is comfortable with international travel and working across time zones and cultures, and has direct hands-on experience operating and debugging dilution refrigerators.

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Test, validate, and debug custom RF control systems using advanced electronic test equipment such as network analyzers, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and internally developed tools
• Operate, monitor, and debug dilution refrigerators, including cooldowns, steady-state operation, and fault diagnosis
• Operate, troubleshoot and service cryogenic and vacuum systems, including scroll pumps, turbo pumps, cryo compressors, high-vacuum components, and cold traps
• Perform helium leak detection, pump rebuilds, and thermal system management
• Assemble, validate, and install complex electro-mechanical, cryogenic, vacuum, and RF assemblies with exceptional attention to detail
• Contribute to test plan development and execute validation testing for next-generation RF hardware
• Participate in an on-call rotation to support system uptime in a customer-facing environment, potentially spanning multiple time zones
• Prepare, inspect, and package quantum chip assemblies for testing
• Follow established procedures and contribute to the creation and improvement of standard operating procedures and best practices
• Read and interpret CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering specifications

Requirements

• Technical background in Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industrial experience (MS or PhD a plus)
• Strong proficiency with general-purpose electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, network analyzers, multimeters, DC power supplies, etc.)
• Direct, hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting dilution refrigerators (required)
• Substantial hands-on experience working with sub-Kelvin cryogenic systems
• Experience operating and maintaining high-availability laboratory or industrial equipment
• Experience assembling, servicing, and maintaining scientific instruments or complex electro-mechanical systems
• Familiarity with vacuum systems, vacuum plumbing, P&IDs, and standard fittings and practices; strong experience in vacuum equipment assembly and debug using helium leak detection
• Working knowledge of statistical methods for test and validation (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma, simulation)
• Attention to detail in documentation (writing and following Work Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures) plus excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working with external vendors, partners, or customers across different regions and cultural contexts

Nice to Have

• Experience in field deployment or on-site support roles at customer or partner facilities, particularly in international settings
• Familiarity with import/export logistics for scientific or electronic equipment
• Programming or scripting experience in Python or related languages
• Additional language proficiency relevant to target deployment regions