Optical Engineer

Entangled Future; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with company match

Disability insurance

Dependent care benefits

Life insurance

Drinks and catered team lunches

Job summary

Atom Computing, based in Boulder, CO, is seeking an Optical Engineer to lead design and development of opto-mechanical subsystems and alignment processes.

The mid-level, full-time role focuses on designing optical subsystems for laser distribution, high-NA imaging, and optical cavities, collaborating with mechanical engineers and physicists. Candidates should have 3+ years in optical design and hands-on optics assembly, with Zemax or FRED expertise, and CAD experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or related field.
• 3+ years optical design experience.
• 2+ years hands-on optics assembly in a lab environment.
• Experience with Zemax, FRED or equivalent ray-tracing software.
• Experience with high-numerical-aperture imaging systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design optical subsystems for laser distribution, high-NA imaging, and optical cavities.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and physicists to balance requirements.
• Create specifications for components up to system level.
• Perform tolerance and stray light analyses.
• Develop alignment procedures for optical designs.
• Assist in hands-on assembly and precision alignment.
• Characterize the performance of optical subsystems.
• Capable of lifting up to 25 pounds.

Skills

Optical design

Hands-on assembly

Tolerance analysis

High-NA imaging

Ray-tracing software

CAD software

Detail-oriented

Creative thinking

Collaborative work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

Zemax

FRED

Onshape

SolidWorks

Job description

Optical Engineer at Atom Computing, Boulder, CO. A mid-level full time position in the Optical Engineering team, listed under research.

We are seeking an Optical Engineer to lead the design and development of opto-mechanical subsystems, including the fixtures and processes required for their precision alignment and assembly.

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 $120,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

Responsibilities

• Partner with mechanical engineers and physicists to iteratively design optical subsystems in the areas of laser distribution, high numerical aperture microscope imaging, and optical cavities
• Analyze and make recommendations to the engineering team for balancing competing requirements
• Create novel designs and specifications of optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level
• Evaluate suitability of design solutions by performing detailed tolerance and stray light analysis
• Develop alignment procedures for optical designs
• Assist in hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs
• Characterize the performance of optical subsystems
• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field. Advanced degree a plus
• 3+ years optical design experience
• 2+ years of hands‑on optics assembly experience in a laboratory environment
• Experience with Fourier Optics, flat field relay optical systems, and telecentric imaging
• Experience in the design of high‑numerical‑aperture imaging systems
• Experience with Zemax, FRED, or equivalent ray‑tracing software
• Experience with Onshape, Solidworks, or equivalent 3D CAD design software
• High attention-to-detail and accuracy
• Creative, critical thinking with ability to strategize and solve problems in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work effectively in an open, collaborative environment