Optical Engineer

IonQ; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 116,736 - 152,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

401(k) match

Legal insurance

Home-technology stipend

Job summary

IonQ in Broomfield, Colorado, is seeking an Optical Designer and Analyst to design and optimize optical systems for space‑based communication. The role requires hands-on experience with optical design software and a strong optics background.

Responsibilities include leading the full lifecycle of optical systems, collaborating with multiple engineering teams, and developing design validation strategies. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, with experience in high-precision optical instruments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in optical system design, particularly for space-based or high-precision optical instruments.
• Extensive experience with optical design software and mechanical design tools.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident for export control compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of optical systems, including design and prototyping.
• Conduct in-depth analysis with optical design software to optimize performance.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate optical subsystems.

Skills

Optical system design

Optics background

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Spanish speaking ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

ZEMAX

SolidWorks

Siemens NX

Job description

About IonQ & Skyloom

IonQ is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier. Skyloom, an IonQ company, is a telecommunications firm focused on space‑based communication infrastructure, delivering fiberless, planetary‑scale data transport to meet growing global connectivity demands.

Location

The role is onsite in Broomfield, Colorado. Up to 5% travel required.

The Role

The Optical Designer and Analyst is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing optical systems for space‑based communication technologies. The role requires hands‑on optical design software experience, a strong optics background, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration to deliver innovative, cost‑effective designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of optical systems, including conceptualization, simulation, detailed design, and prototyping.
• Conduct in‑depth analysis with optical design software to optimize system performance, focusing on manufacturing and alignment tolerances, wavefront error, radiometric analysis, free‑space far‑field propagation, and fiber‑coupling efficiency.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and control engineering teams to integrate optical subsystems into spacecraft or ground‑based platforms.
• Develop and implement optomechanical design and analysis strategies to validate design requirements, including Structural‑Thermal‑Optical performance analysis for space environments.
• Write and maintain technical documentation on designs, analyses, and test procedures. Mentor and transfer knowledge to team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Optics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Proven experience in optical system design, particularly for space‑based or high‑precision optical instruments.
• Extensive experience with optical design software (e.g., ZEMAX) and mechanical design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Siemens NX).
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise qualify for ITAR compliance; U.S. Persons required for export control compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical design in space‑flight systems or astronomy.
• Experience working in a cleanroom environment (ISO 5–ISO 8).
• Spanish speaking ability.

Compensation

Base salary range: $116,736 – $152,250, plus bonus, equity, 401(k) match, unlimited PTO, paid holidays, parental leave, legal insurance, and home‑technology stipend.

Benefits

Skyloom provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) matching, unlimited PTO, paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, home‑technology stipend, and a range of other benefit options.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected classes.