Optical Assembly and Alignment Engineer

Entangled Future; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid medical, dental, and vision

Unlimited paid time off

401K company matching

Short- and long-term disability

FSA

Dependent care benefits

Life insurance

Drinks, snacks, and catered team lun​​

Job summary

Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Assembly & Alignment Engineer in Boulder, CO, to build, align, and verify optical subsystems for neutral-atom quantum computers. This hands-on role delivers tested optical breadboards and alignment records to the system integration team.

You will assemble and align optics, measure performance, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with bonding and verification teams to ensure repeatable results and robust integration.

Qualifications

• BS in optics or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years hands-on optical assembly and alignment experience.
• Experience with neutral-atom quantum optics or AMO laboratory systems preferred.
• Ability to record repeatable measurements for subsystem acceptance.

Responsibilities

• Assemble optical breadboards and optomechanical hardware from released layouts, BOMs, and work instructions.
• Install and align lenses, mirrors, polarization optics, and fiber-coupling assemblies to establish required beam paths.
• Measure optical power, beam profile, polarization, and coupling performance; use wavefront measurements when required.
• Troubleshoot optical loss, clipping, alignment drift, and polarization errors; document findings and perform adjustments or rework.
• Work with Optical Bonding Technicians to establish pre-bond alignment and verify that curing has not disturbed optical performance.
• Maintain optical cleanliness, protect sensitive coatings, and follow laser-safety practices throughout assembly and test.
• Complete subsystem verification and maintain records; support resolution of optical issues during system integration.
• Learn first-of-a-kind methods with Engineering and improve alignment instructions, fixtures, and sequences with Manufacturing Engineering.

Skills

Optical assembly

Beam alignment

Fiber coupling

Test & measurement

Wavefront measurement

Hands-on hardware

Education

BS in optics or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Optical power meters

Beam-imaging cameras

Job description

Optical Assembly and Alignment Engineer at Atom Computing, Boulder, CO. A mid-level full time position in the Manufacturing team, listed under hardware engineering.

We are seeking an Optical Assembly & Alignment Engineer to build, align, and verify optical breadboards and laser-delivery assemblies for neutral-atom quantum computers. This hands-on role delivers tested optical subsystems and alignment records to the system integration team.

Atom Computing provides a wide variety of perks and benefits, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their dependents. Additionally, unlimited paid time off, 401K company matching, short- and long-term disability, FSA, dependent care benefits, and life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices, every day!

The base salary range for this position is between $100,000 - $140,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

Responsibilities

• Assemble optical breadboards and optomechanical hardware from released layouts, drawings, bills of materials, and work instructions.
• Install and align lenses, mirrors, polarization optics, and fiber-coupling assemblies to establish the required beam paths and subsystem interfaces.
• Measure optical power, beam profile, polarization, and coupling performance; use wavefront measurements where required by approved test procedures.
• Troubleshoot optical loss, clipping, alignment drift, and polarization errors; document findings and perform approved adjustments or rework.
• Work with Optical Bonding Technicians to establish pre-bond alignment and verify that curing or fastening has not disturbed optical performance.
• Maintain optical cleanliness, protect sensitive coatings, and follow approved handling and laser-safety practices throughout assembly and test.
• Complete subsystem verification and maintain component, alignment, and measurement records; support resolution of optical issues found during system integration.
• Learn first-of-a-kind methods alongside Engineering and improve repeat-build alignment instructions, fixtures, and assembly sequences with Manufacturing Engineering.

Requirements

• BS in optics, optical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant optical-engineering experience; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on optical assembly, free-space alignment, fiber coupling, and characterization of precision laser or photonics hardware.
• Experience building from controlled optical layouts and recording repeatable measurements for subsystem acceptance.
• Experience with neutral-atom quantum-computer optics, atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) laboratory systems, or precision scientific instrumentation preferred.
• Strong practical knowledge of free-space beam alignment, polarization control, fiber coupling, and the relationship between component placement and optical performance.
• Proficiency with optical power meters, beam-imaging cameras, and related bench metrology; wavefront-measurement experience preferred.
• Ability to interpret optical layouts and optomechanical drawings and work safely with delicate coated optics.
• Systematic troubleshooting and careful recordkeeping so another engineer can reproduce alignment and verification results.
• Ability to work closely with bonding, verification, and integration teams; familiarity with measurement-data analysis or laboratory scripting preferred.
• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.