Optical Engineer Co-Op

QuEra Computing, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

QuEra Computing, Inc. is seeking an Optical Engineering Co-Op to contribute as an individual contributor in developing manufacturable neutral atom quantum computers.

You will design, build, and test optical sub-systems, perform hands-on lab work (assembly, alignment, cleaning, testing), and document results while collaborating with senior engineers. Candidates should pursue an MS or PhD in optics or related field, have industry-style experience with Zemax and CAD (Inventor/SolidWorks), and

Qualifications

• Pursuing MS or PhD in optics/related field (MS preferred).
• Industry experience designing, building, testing optical systems.
• Proficiency with Zemax and CAD tools.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with assembly, alignment, cleaning, testing.
• Ability to document work and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test optical sub-systems and components through full development lifecycle.
• Perform hands-on laboratory work: assembly, alignment, cleaning, characterization.
• Coordinate with R&D/science team to translate advances into products.
• Support off-site installations as needed.

Skills

Zemax simulation

CAD design (Inventor/SolidWorks)

Free-space optics

Fiber optics

Modulators

Electro-optics

Lasers

Optical testing

Lab documentation

Industry experience

Education

MS/PhD in optics or related field

Tools

Inventor

SolidWorks

Job description

The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for an Optical Engineering Co-Op to serve as an individual contributor to the company's mission of building state-of-the-art, manufacturable, and deployable neutral atom quantum computers. The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the company's technology leadership and translating the company's scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers. To accomplish this mission, we are looking to hire a candidate with an undergraduate or graduate-level education in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics, paired with hands-on experience designing, building, and testing optical systems. The ideal candidate will combine a solid fundamental understanding of optics with strong laboratory skills and a desire to grow as an engineer within an enterprise engineering environment.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior engineers and physicists to design, build, and test optical sub-systems, modules, and components supporting QuEra's neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D, productization, maintenance, and beyond).
• Execute hands-on laboratory work—assembly, alignment, cleaning, and characterization of optical systems—and contribute to engineering documentation, design reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with the R&D/science team to support cutting-edge R&D and help translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
• Assist with troubleshooting technical issues at company headquarters and, as needed, support off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with the local support team).

Qualifications

• Work towards M.S. or PhD in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field (M.S. preferred).
• Experience designing, building, or testing optical and opto-mechanical systems in a non-academic (industry, national lab, FFRDC or similar) environment with enterprise engineering practices.
• Strong system-level design skills including Zemax simulation skills and CAD design skills (e.g. Inventor, Solidworks)
• Working knowledge in several of the areas of
• Free-space optics
• Fiber optics
• Modulators
• Electro-optics
• Lasers
• Optical system characterization and testing
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills (e.g. assembly, alignment, cleaning, testing)
• Experience contributing to the design of scientific instruments and apparatuses, or to bringing optical systems from concept to production.
• Excellent attention to detail, communication, and documentation skills

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly. We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience. Compensation for this role will be between $50/$60 per hour.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in QuEra Computing, Inc.'s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.