Principal System Integration and Test Lead

Lever, Inc.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Unlimited PTO

401K matching

Disability insurance

Flexible spending account

Dependent care benefits

Company lunches

Job summary

Atom Computing seeks a Principal System Integration & Test Lead to own end‑to‑end integration of neutral‑atom quantum computers. You will manage optics, laser delivery, vacuum interfaces, RF controls, and timing, coordinating with QEs and Systems Engineering to ensure hardware readiness and seamless handoffs for testing.

You will mentor integration engineers, define qualification pathways, and drive cross‑subsystem troubleshooting while partnering with Manufacturing Engineering to reduce rework

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, applied physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or closely related discipline, or comparable professional experience.
• 10+ years of experience in experimental AMO physics, quantum hardware, or precision laser‑system integration.
• 3+ years providing technical leadership on multidisciplinary teams, with responsibility for integration readiness and laboratory execution.

Responsibilities

• Own whole‑system integration across optics, laser delivery, vacuum interfaces, RF controls, timing, and instrument software for neutral‑atom quantum computers.
• Define hardware‑readiness checks and gate integration criteria with QEs and Systems Engineering.
• Lead first‑of‑a‑kind systems to establish repeatable integration sequences, alignment methods, diagnostics, and recovery procedures.
• Perform and guide system‑level optical alignment, laser‑delivery checks, controls checkout, and safety checks before atom‑based verification begins.
• Mentor and train integration engineers and technicians; define qualification paths and staffing considerations.
• Lead cross‑subsystem troubleshooting with laser, controls, subsystem, and QE specialists.
• Support hardware corrections during QE testing and shorten repeat‑build cycles.

Skills

AMO physics

Quantum hardware

System integration

Optical alignment

Diagnostics

Leadership

Education

PhD in physics or related field

Tools

RF controls

Vacuum interfaces

Optical alignment tools

Job description

At Atom Computing, we build quantum computers using arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms. Our systems will give customers access to computational breakthroughs that were out of reach until now. Join a world-class team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals advancing the state of the art in quantum computing.

We are seeking a Principal System Integration & Test Lead with deep atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics and quantum‑computing knowledge. You will be the technical authority for whole‑system integration: taking complete neutral‑atom quantum computers from assembled subsystems to atom‑ready machines, then handing each one to our Quantum Engineers (QEs) for testing with atoms. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role reporting directly to the VP of Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Own whole‑system integration across optics, laser delivery, vacuum interfaces, radio‑frequency (RF) controls, timing, and instrument software for neutral‑atom quantum computers.
• Apply AMO knowledge to define hardware‑readiness checks. Agree integration, alignment, and handoff criteria with QEs and Systems Engineering.
• Work alongside QEs on first‑of‑a‑kind systems to establish repeatable integration sequences, alignment methods, diagnostics, and recovery procedures.
• Perform and guide system‑level optical alignment, laser‑delivery checks, controls checkout, and applicable safety checks before atom‑based verification begins.
• Mentor and train integration engineers and technicians. Define the qualification path for new team members, and advise leadership on staffing and on scheduling shared instruments across concurrent builds.
• Lead cross‑subsystem troubleshooting. Work with laser, controls, subsystem, and QE specialists to resolve hardware and interface problems.
• Support hardware corrections during QE testing. Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to reduce alignment rework and shorten repeat‑build cycle time.

Experience & Education

• PhD in physics, applied physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline, or comparable professional experience.
• 10+ years of experience in experimental AMO physics, quantum hardware, or precision laser‑system integration.
• 3+ years providing technical leadership on multidisciplinary teams, with demonstrated responsibility for integration readiness, complex fault isolation, and laboratory execution.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of neutral‑atom quantum computers, including atom trapping, optical addressing, coherent control, and readout.
• Hands‑on capability in optical alignment, laser stability diagnostics, vacuum interfaces, and synchronized RF and control systems.
• Practical AMO knowledge, including laser‑atom interactions and laser cooling and trapping, sufficient to resolve integration issues directly with experimental physicists.
• Ability to interpret diagnostic data, evaluate automated checkout methods, and isolate hardware or software‑interface faults. Laboratory automation experience is preferred.
• Proven technical leadership and readiness‑review discipline, with a record of mentoring colleagues toward qualification while preserving the separate QE acceptance gate.
• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.

$200,000 - $230,000 a year

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 $200,000 - $230,000, commensurate with experience. In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.