Principal Hardware Engineer

Atom Computing; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance

Unlimited paid time off

401(k) company matching

Short- and long-term disability

Dependent care benefits

Life insurance

Daily snacks and catered team lunches

Job summary

Atom Computing is looking for a Principal Hardware Engineer to join their team in Boulder, Colorado. This role involves leading the architecture, design, and deployment of custom electronic assemblies for their quantum computers.

Qualified candidates will have over 10 years of experience in circuit design and possess a degree in Electrical Engineering. The position includes a competitive salary ranging from $170,000 to $200,000, complete with benefits like medical insurance and unlimited PTO.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of board-level analog and digital circuit design experience.
• Experience in the full design cycle from concept to fabrication.
• Willingness to learn physics concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design high-level system architectures for instruments.
• Collaborate with quantum engineers for design requirements.
• Mentor team members in hardware design.

Skills

Self-motivated

Collaborative

Attention to detail

Mixed-signal design

Electronic test equipment

Scripting in Python

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms that will empower customers to achieve unprecedented computational breakthroughs. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.

Atom Computing is seeking a hands‑on Principal Hardware Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and deployment of custom electronic assemblies for the control system of our quantum computer. In this role, you will drive hardware strategy across multiple concurrent projects while remaining deeply engaged in the tactical engineering work.

This position is located in Boulder, Colorado, and will report to the Control Systems Manager.

Responsibilities

• Design high‑level system architectures for instruments, including multiple PCBAs for various functions, and collaborate on FPGA/processor selection, power and clocking schemes, analog and RF front‑end designs, and DAC and ADC.
• Collaborate with quantum engineers and other groups to understand system needs, discuss solutions, and define design requirements.
• Perform board‑level circuit design, schematic capture, and PCB layout in Altium Designer for custom control system hardware.
• Prepare detailed technical specifications and design documentation, and assist with reviewing schematics and layouts of custom electronic designs.
• Actively participate in bring‑up, verification, and testing of control system hardware, collaborating closely with FPGA, firmware, and software engineers.
• Own technical relationships with contract electronics manufacturers and suppliers, driving Design for Manufacturing (DFM) strategies to support production and scaling operations.
• Mentor other team members in hardware design.

Experience & Education

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board‑level analog and digital circuit design, preferably with Altium Designer.

Qualifications

• Self‑motivated, collaborative, and driven to work effectively in a fast‑growing startup environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse team of experimental physicists, hardware, and software engineers.
• Willingness to learn physics concepts to put work in context.
• Experience in a full design cycle, from concept and schematic capture through to layout, fabrication, and initial board bring‑up.
• Working knowledge of PCB design best practices and keen attention to detail.
• Mixed‑signal design experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency with electronic test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum and logic analyzers, signal generators) for the bring‑up and debug of prototype electronics assemblies.
• Capable in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for basic data acquisition, instrument control, and automation of hardware test and characterization.
• Experience working on boards with complicated ICs (FPGAs, processors, etc.) requiring multiple power supplies, high‑speed buses, and high‑speed memory interfaces.

Nice to Haves

• RF front‑end and high‑speed ADC/DAC design experience.
• Familiarity with RF design concepts and/or software‑defined radio.
• Experience with multi‑gigabit serial transceiver lane design, evaluation, and equalization.
• Experience designing high‑speed memory interfaces.
• Experience with high‑speed digital and analog I/O and connector/cable selection and characterization.
• Experience working in a Linux environment.
• Familiarity with the MicroTCA, PXIe, or similar pluggable instrument standards.

Salary Range: $170,000 – $200,000 per year, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

Benefits: fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents; unlimited paid time off; 401(k) company matching; short‑ and long‑term disability; FSA; dependent care benefits; life insurance. We also offer drinks, snacks, and catered team lunches in our offices every day.